A portfolio of seven new channels, mixing shows from the BBC’s
programming library with original material, will be launched through a
partnership between the BBC and Flextech next summer, it was confirmed
this week.
The partners, who agreed a joint venture in principle at the end of
September, outlined details of the planned channels currently under
consideration. Actual channels will now be developed from this list of
concepts.
One channel, Showcase, will feature the crown jewels of BBC comedy and
drama, such as Pride and Prejudice and Fawlty Towers.
The Sports Entertainment Network will offer news, exclusive
entertainment shows, live phone-ins and up-to-the-minute comment from
BBC sports presenters.
One-TV is designed to bring the spirit and essence of BBC Radio 1 to TV
with music programming targeting 15- to 24-year-olds. Music videos will
come from the Radio 1 playlist and will be cut with interviews and live
packages.
BBC Catch-Up TV will give viewers an opportunity to see major BBC
programmes which they missed first time round. The time-lag between
first and second screenings is likely to be quite short to capitalise on
the word-of-mouth factor.
The BBC’s documentary archives will be raided for Horizons, featuring
factual programmes ‘in a concentrated, accessible form for the first
time’.
A leisure and lifestyle channel, Style, will cherry-pick from the BBC’s
cookery, gardening, motoring, home-style, antiques and travel
programming.
Arena will feature the best of British culture through daily reviews,
special seasons and the full range of BBC music, theatre and arts
programming. The Learning Channel will be an educational channel for
families.
Some of the channels will take advertising and the airtime sales for
these is expected to be handled by Flextech Sales, the sales house for
Flextech’s other TV interests, which include Discovery and Bravo.
