LL
My judgement on what warrants its own thread is pretty awful, but hopefully this won't be the case.
Broadcast have reported that BT are planning to launch a general entertainment channel to rival Sky 1.
http://m.broadcastnow.co.uk/5103654.article
The term "non-scripted original commissions" makes me worry if this is a euphemism for more reality cack.
Broadcast have reported that BT are planning to launch a general entertainment channel to rival Sky 1.
http://m.broadcastnow.co.uk/5103654.article
Quote:
BT is eyeing the launch of a standalone general entertainment channel – a move which would provide the pay-TV business with a Sky 1 rival.
Broadcast understands that the telco is in the early stages of planning its first non-sports channel to diversify its network and super-proof it against the seasonal swing of the Premier League.
Plans for the channel are understood to include a mixture of non-scripted original commissions and US acquisitions.
The project is being overseen by BT TV’s general manager of content Jonathan Boseley, who joined the company in February to manage its non-sports content.
Boseley joined BT from indie Renowned Films, where he was head of TV and content, having previously been director of programming and commissioning at London Live and vice president of programming and production at Disney Channel UK.
Almost 12 months ago, BT secured the exclusive rights to offer the UK version of AMC, the channel best known for meth drama Breaking Bad and Fear The Walking Dead [pictured].
At the time, Delia Bushell, managing director of BT TV and BT Sport, told Broadcast that enhancing BT’s entertainment and drama offering was key to the growth of the business.
“For us to take [AMC] as a springboard and move more broadly into drama and entertainment is the logical next step,” Bushell said. “This opens up a lot of avenues for future opportunities, whether that’s offering other channels, acquiring premium content or whether that’s even commissioning opportunities.”
The launch of an entertainment channel would put BT TV on a firmer footing as it continues to compete with Sky, opening up another front as the businesses battle to win subscribers.
BT TV has 1.5m subscribers in the UK after adding 66,000 TV customers in the first quarter.
However, its net additions were lower than over the previous two quarters, suggesting that the company depended on Premier League and Champions League football to lure subscribers, an issue that a high-profile entertainment channel would help address.
BT declined to comment.
Broadcast understands that the telco is in the early stages of planning its first non-sports channel to diversify its network and super-proof it against the seasonal swing of the Premier League.
Plans for the channel are understood to include a mixture of non-scripted original commissions and US acquisitions.
The project is being overseen by BT TV’s general manager of content Jonathan Boseley, who joined the company in February to manage its non-sports content.
Boseley joined BT from indie Renowned Films, where he was head of TV and content, having previously been director of programming and commissioning at London Live and vice president of programming and production at Disney Channel UK.
Almost 12 months ago, BT secured the exclusive rights to offer the UK version of AMC, the channel best known for meth drama Breaking Bad and Fear The Walking Dead [pictured].
At the time, Delia Bushell, managing director of BT TV and BT Sport, told Broadcast that enhancing BT’s entertainment and drama offering was key to the growth of the business.
“For us to take [AMC] as a springboard and move more broadly into drama and entertainment is the logical next step,” Bushell said. “This opens up a lot of avenues for future opportunities, whether that’s offering other channels, acquiring premium content or whether that’s even commissioning opportunities.”
The launch of an entertainment channel would put BT TV on a firmer footing as it continues to compete with Sky, opening up another front as the businesses battle to win subscribers.
BT TV has 1.5m subscribers in the UK after adding 66,000 TV customers in the first quarter.
However, its net additions were lower than over the previous two quarters, suggesting that the company depended on Premier League and Champions League football to lure subscribers, an issue that a high-profile entertainment channel would help address.
BT declined to comment.
The term "non-scripted original commissions" makes me worry if this is a euphemism for more reality cack.