Zone channels changing - More old US programmes hopefully!!

TheDriver

Six CBS-branded channels will launch in the UK later this year after the US giant’s international arm struck a joint venture deal with multichannel operator Chellomedia.

The new channels will replace Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, plus Zone Horror+1 and Zone Reality+1, although their new themed brands have not been revealed.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/international/cbs-to-launch-uk-channels-with-chellomedia/5005560.article

Looks good for fans of Dynasty and Trekkies!!:D

steveon

That sounds like great news...thanks for that

mike65

Useless fact - Zone Horror is the most watched "non-Sky" movie-heavy channel.

smodgley

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/i...005560.article

the link seems not to work???

mike65

click

TheDriver

to be honest, its great news as zone channels are sometimes good but then sometimes a joke and need a little help to get them into the big time, i rarely watch stuff on them as its just reruns of the same show as opposed to a good selection

Rick_

They need to go widescreen too for any programming anf films they have available in it instead of letterboxing them and I am sure the names will only change to take out Zone and put in CBS instead.

pa990

I hope that they stay FTA, and that the rebrand doesn't coincide with them encrypting

Our man in Havana

I don't think people would pay for them tbh.

TheDriver

the great thing is that they own the rights to a massive amount of archive programming so CBS won't need to pay much, just the TP space really and freesat numbers. COuld be a fairly good turning point as could push others into the same market. Heres hoping.......
P.S. A lot of people seemingly watch zone channels and if they can bump up the quality of progs, then we can expect this to be better

bk

mike65 wrote: »

Useless fact - Zone Horror is the most watched "non-Sky" movie-heavy channel.

Surely Film4 is?

Actually looking at the BARBs, Film4 is the most watched movie channel of all with 1.0% of the audience (Film4+1 has another 0.3%), Sky Premier has 0.3% and Zone horror has only 0.1%

True Movies, True Movies 2 and TCM all also have 0.1%

Interestingly all Sky Movie channels add up to only 1.6%, Film4 isn't far behind.

http://www.barb.co.uk/report/monthlyViewingSummary?_s=4

mike65

Hi BK the reason I named checked Zone Horror was cos I happen to see reference to them out-gunning Film Four over summer period. Now maybe it was wrong. I'll have see I can find the article.

Twas to do with ratings for the Vampire Season and esp Tobe Hoopers adaption of Stephens Kings Salem's Lot

pa990

Bond-007 wrote: »

I don't think people would pay for them tbh.

There's a lot of tat encrypted on sky that you wouldnt think people would pay for... but when its bundled.. people do.

I just dont want to loose any channels, Freesat is limited enough

bk

mike65 wrote: »

Hi BK the reason I named checked Zone Horror was cos I happen to see reference to them out-gunning Film Four over summer period. Now maybe it was wrong. I'll have see I can find the article.

Twas to do with ratings for the Vampire Season and esp Tobe Hoopers adaption of Stephens Kings Salem's Lot

Perhaps they were trying to use some twisted marketing logic to also exclude Film4, like it also being on Freeview.

But looking at the BARB's going back to December 2007, Zone Horror is never more then 0.1%, while Film4 is normally 1% and never dropped below 0.7%

If these rebranded and restocked channels stay FTA, then they could be very nice additions to Freesat.

There could also be interesting consequences for these on cable in Ireland as Chellomedia is the content arm of Liberty Global who also own UPC.

steveon

More on the story...http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/09/14/chellomedia-and-cbs-partner-in-channels/

TheDriver

seems to suggest that chellomedia is a free to air operator and will continue to operate the channels etc............... Heres hoping and also end of the year isn't that far away.