Strange that Viacom are using 160, they have 127 (a +1 channel) they could have used, much higher in the EPG and beside MTV to help give it more exposure.
Strange that Viacom are using 160, they have 127 (a +1 channel) they could have used, much higher in the EPG and beside MTV to help give it more exposure.
Comedy Central UK is a joint venture between Sky and Viacom, that's why channel 127 is not an option. On the other hand, Viacom own MTV UK outright, so on to channel 160 it goes...
But they joint own it, so I'm surprised they didn't at least have some sort of consultation with Sky to see if they could agree on a deal to perhaps moving Comedy Central+1 or the Comedy Central Extra, two channels that get quite low ratings as it is, for Viacom's usage.
But they joint own it, so I'm surprised they didn't at least have some sort of consultation with Sky to see if they could agree on a deal to perhaps moving Comedy Central+1 or the Comedy Central Extra, two channels that get quite low ratings as it is, for Viacom's usage.
A consultation like "Hey Sky, you know that channel we own together? Can we nudge that down the channel list to make room for a channel I own outright that will compete with your own offering?"
I wouldn't say Comedy Central and Spike are going to directly compete, the programming is completely different. Plus, it's only a +1/spin-off, it's not a majorly important channel, I mean, how often do you ever see Comedy Central even promote it's +1 service or even mention Comedy Central Extra or its programming?
An established +1 channel though could still rate better than a brand new channel. You wouldn't expect Viacom to agree to move Comedy Central+1 to make room for a new Sky channel so it's not going to work the other way.
Not surprising, it's also the same day Viva changes to being all music videos and no more programming.
If you think about it, VIVA used to be "The Music Factory (TMF)" and aired music videos, so I guess VIVA's becoming TMF.
But TMF showed programmes as well.
Not to begin with it didn't. It was pretty much a straight forward music video channel to begin with; I'm not even sure whether there were features, strands or countdowns. Sometime around 2004ish there were a couple of "MTV takeover" weekends where the channel simulcasted MTV (but with their own presentation, featuring the 'M' of TMF being replaced by the MTV logo of the time, and lots of sponsorship from Sky). Around the same time they experimented with Nick Jr simulcasts in the mornings and some random scheduling of other stuff - the first one I recall being Spongebob Squarepants at 8pm (for one week only).