New channels planned for Freeview.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Some info about the new channel due to start called 'Blaze':

Launching on Freeview and Sky on 20th September, BLAZE™ is a brand new entertainment channel brand which celebrates people who achieve the extraordinary through determination, courage and a hint of maverick spirit. American by nature, but distinctly British by nurture, it raises the flag for real people who boldly follow their own path.

Advertisers and brands can come on board from launch via traditional methods which include spot advertising, as well as channel or programme sponsorship. Sitting within A+E Network’s portfolio brands, BLAZE delivers strength and depth to the portfolio and advertisers will have the opportunity to work across a well-established and diverse channel selection.

BLAZE offers viewers a first chance to enjoy global hit entertainment shows never previously aired on Freeview including Mountain Men, American Restoration, Ancient Aliens and Forged in Fire. It will also offer the best of real crime content including fascinating series The First 48 and Unusual Suspects and the hugely popular On the Case with Paula Zahn.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

BLAZE is aimed at a wide demographic: 25-54, with a slightly-male skew.

It’s a straight-talking channel that will have wide appeal to our target audience, whom we’re calling Joe. He (or she) is married with two kids. He is proud to be a person on whom others rely and he has a strong and occasionally overwhelming sense of duty.

He has an enquiring mind, with his own opinions, and doesn’t believe everything he’s told; he likes to hear the other side, even if it’s contentious.

https://www.skymedia.co.uk/channels/blaze/

BLAZE website: http://www.blaze.tv/
BLAZE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlazeTVUK/
BLAZE on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlazeTVUK
BLAZE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wSDD0BgMfGo

No mention of Freesat (or VM), I wonder if it will be pay on Sky and free on DTT?

It's currently testing FTA on satellite, so that's a good sign.

It will start on 20/9/16 on Freeview channel no 83.

Blaze +1 can be found on channel no 84*.

* Blaze +1 seems to be effectively a placeholder on Freeview and will be off the air most of the time.

What channel operators are doing is to grab one or two hours of cheap capacity in the middle of the night to enable them to create a +1 placeholder for when more capacity becomes available. This enables them to secure a slot lower down the EPG.

[RichardCoulter]

Quest Red starts 15/3/17:

http://advanced-television.com/2017/...k-fta-channel/

[heero_yuy]

Why red? Surely it should be pink?

[RichardCoulter]

Interestingly, the DTT licence list has changed as follows:

Changed:
- BTPreview
... into:
+ BTPreviewHD

Changed:
- BTSportShowcase
... into:
+ BTSportShowcaseHD

Looks like the free BT Sport channels are going HD on Freeview.

[RichardCoulter]

Watch this space for Quest 2 and Quest Red 2.

[RichardCoulter]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Interestingly, the DTT licence list has changed as follows:

Changed:
- BTPreview
... into:
+ BTPreviewHD

Changed:
- BTSportShowcase
... into:
+ BTSportShowcaseHD

Looks like the free BT Sport channels are going HD on Freeview.

Now confirmed to be happening. The HD variant will be available to 3/4 of the population, so the SD slot will remain for those unable to receive it.

[RichardCoulter]

Correction, the SD variant closed today.

[Matth]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Correction, the SD variant closed today.

Clearing the decks for something else?

[nodrogd]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Correction, the SD variant closed today.

Got to be a cost saving measure. Wonder if people with BT TV (Youview) boxes will get a streamed version if the OA version is not available.

[RichardCoulter]

The 'Made In' local TV channels are to start simulcasting truTV.

The 'Thats TV' local channels already simulcast 'Talking Pictures'.

Whilst this can be useful for Freeview viewers who cannot receive Talking Pictures, I don't see how simulcasting truTV benefits viewers on any platform:

http://www.a516digital.com/2017/05/l...-teams-up.html

[RichardCoulter]

A new channel called Freesports starts on 31/8/17.

It's from the management behind Setanta and Premier Sports and will show football, rugby, tennis etc.

Viacom are to reintroduce the Paramount Channel to the UK as a FTA channel (it won't be replacing Spike as it did in America).

It will show films and drama as opposed to the comedy that it's predecessor did.

[RichardCoulter]

From 30/8/17 Kix is to close and be replaced by a channel called Pop Max aimed at 6-10 year old boys.

https://www.c21media.net/sonys-kix-to-become-pop-max/

[Media Boy UK]

Colors & Rishtey leave Freeview in UK

https://www.bizasialive.com/colors-r...-freeview-uk/?

[RichardCoulter]

Aye, a lot of these Asian channels seem to have taken Skys money and encrypted/gone into the lowest package.

If anything, Sky have been kicking channels out of the Sub Club, so I guess they think that putting them all in the basic pack means they will make more money.

[RichardCoulter]

Another forum member has posted this:

Originally Posted by cwaite;d-2241260

Just watching GOLD and in the Ad Break there was a freeview advert which Robert Bathurst welcomed viewers watching this program on freeview, subscription free! When did GOLD go on to Freeview?

Wonder if GOLD is coming to Freeview??