Channel Four pulls out of QuizCall

A return for More 4+1 would suit me, even if it is taken over with **** big brother in the summer, at least it keeps it off E4!!!

Channel 4 has confirmed that QuizCall will disappear from Freeview on 15th November, and will eventually be replaced by a brand new channel. Either Film4+1 or More4+1 will be shown on Freeview in the interim.

So far there's no word on what the new channel will be, but a US-based channel, or a T4 channel are possibilities.

MediaGuardian article

Personally I'd like to see them come up with a really decent music channel, and not just an extension of E4 Music. Maybe something which draws a bit more on Channel 4's musical heritage, using the likes of The Tube (which they're already doing on 4Radio).

I think a T4 channel is unlikely. That's surely too similar to E4. A US-based channel is also very similar to E4.
I agree with music channel, but channel 4-esque. With the Album Chart Show, Transmission, Popworld and aspects of E4 music, it could be really good I feel.

Wasting no time then - C4 obviously want a clean break. I thought in the short term they might lease back the space to the new owners and see Quizcall continue until C4 were ready, but obviously not.

I think Film4+1 has more value than More4+1 to be honest, especially as some area (like my living room) can't receieve Film4 - and to be completly honest out of all new channel opportunities I don't think they'd find anything that would perform better than a C4+1 really!


I'd personally like it to be I4 - an interactive stream for the channel for Big Brother Live and other content - but I guess they couldn't afford to have a stream which may have quite a bit of downtime.

Hopefully though they'll leave the new channel until next Autumn so we can have BB Live in the summer.


P.S. Typhical it'll disapear a couple of days after the full screen BBC Parliament launches, meaning we'll need to retune twice in a couple of days!

Film4+1 it is, until the new channel launches...

Confirmed by C4 Viewer Enquiries

Actually, there shouldn't be any need for a re-scan: it will simply take over Quiz Call's old number, and the channel name should update automatically.

Bozz

Presumably this might not be the case if a new channel eventually launches in the free capacity - as it may be moved to an area of the Freeview EPG relevant to its genre. (Kids and News have a specific area in the numbering scheme)

Also - some receivers only store the on-screen channel name when they are originally tuned - so a re-tune would also be required for the channel name change to properly be reflected.

Quiz Call is already in the general entertainment section, so I don't expect its replacement to be moved. I would say the vast majority of Freeview boxes aren't clever enough to detect a channel name change unless rescanned. Even those that can do it aren't always set to auto-rescan, so some viewers will still be unaware of the change.

I have to retune myself - though our Daewoo Setpal box does it automatically I think if it's just a change in name or number.

Wish they still made them - most user friendly version I've seen!

http://www.deeteetee.co.uk are reporting that Film4+1 will replace Quiz Call from November 16th, for the short term anyhow.


Seems to make more sense to me than More4+1 - especially as some viewers cannot receive Film4.


I doubt though they'll consider moving Film4 to Mux 2 due to the lower quality of the stream - but it would put all C4's stations together and also allow for Teletext to be available on Film4 too.



Source: Channel 4

Yes, that's my site.

Bozz

I assume the cheques in the post!