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From Broadcast Now > http://goo.gl/eglcUh
Quote:
Free-to-air TruTV coming to the UK
Turner UK is planning to invest in original shows, UK reversions and acquisitions after revealing it will launch general entertainment channel TruTV as its first British free-to-air channel this summer.
The broadcaster has secured a Freeview slot for the 24-hour channel, revealed by Broadcast, which will feature a raft of unscripted shows including bidding format Container Wars, gameshow Fear Factor and repo series South Beach Tow.
Turner UK general manager Anthony Lukom said TruTV will share some characteristics with the likes of BBC3, ITV2, E4 and Watch, but will be the only channel in the UK dedicated to unscripted, light-hearted entertainment shows.
“This kind of unscripted programming is doing incredibly well in the UK right now and we have a very strong pipeline of content, so it seemed to be the right time to take advantage,” he said. “Other channels have started to develop this genre in their schedule – but they are not dedicated to it. TruTv has a very clear proposition – it is about larger-than-life, compulsive viewing.”
Lukom went on to add that the channel is available in 93 million homes across the US and is currently broadcasting in the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. TruTV has an even male/ female split and is targeting an audience that is aged around 35.
Together with Turner UK director of general entertainment Jemma Yates, who is heading to next week’s LA Screenings, Lukom has already bought several US shows for the channel, including tropical island format Redneck Island and tattoo parlour doc Ink Masters.
Lukom said he anticipated making initial forays into original commissions next year, once the channel has bedded in. “We want to see what resonates with the audience first,” he said. “That will inform what we decide to commission.”
TruTV could greenlight UK shows as well as reversioning existing US formats. “It is not always as straightforward as just copying a format though,” he added. “Often it is the unique, engaging, larger-than-life characters who make the shows a success.”
TruTV in the US has a track record of commissioning content from UK indies. The channel has previously ordered Killer Karaoke and Hardcore Pawn from Zodiak USA, and Kentucky Bidders from ITV Studio’s US division. It also acquired BBC3 prank show Impractical Jokers, which is produced by Shed Media-owned Yalli.
Turner UK is planning to invest in original shows, UK reversions and acquisitions after revealing it will launch general entertainment channel TruTV as its first British free-to-air channel this summer.
The broadcaster has secured a Freeview slot for the 24-hour channel, revealed by Broadcast, which will feature a raft of unscripted shows including bidding format Container Wars, gameshow Fear Factor and repo series South Beach Tow.
Turner UK general manager Anthony Lukom said TruTV will share some characteristics with the likes of BBC3, ITV2, E4 and Watch, but will be the only channel in the UK dedicated to unscripted, light-hearted entertainment shows.
“This kind of unscripted programming is doing incredibly well in the UK right now and we have a very strong pipeline of content, so it seemed to be the right time to take advantage,” he said. “Other channels have started to develop this genre in their schedule – but they are not dedicated to it. TruTv has a very clear proposition – it is about larger-than-life, compulsive viewing.”
Lukom went on to add that the channel is available in 93 million homes across the US and is currently broadcasting in the Latin America and Asia Pacific regions. TruTV has an even male/ female split and is targeting an audience that is aged around 35.
Together with Turner UK director of general entertainment Jemma Yates, who is heading to next week’s LA Screenings, Lukom has already bought several US shows for the channel, including tropical island format Redneck Island and tattoo parlour doc Ink Masters.
Lukom said he anticipated making initial forays into original commissions next year, once the channel has bedded in. “We want to see what resonates with the audience first,” he said. “That will inform what we decide to commission.”
TruTV could greenlight UK shows as well as reversioning existing US formats. “It is not always as straightforward as just copying a format though,” he added. “Often it is the unique, engaging, larger-than-life characters who make the shows a success.”
TruTV in the US has a track record of commissioning content from UK indies. The channel has previously ordered Killer Karaoke and Hardcore Pawn from Zodiak USA, and Kentucky Bidders from ITV Studio’s US division. It also acquired BBC3 prank show Impractical Jokers, which is produced by Shed Media-owned Yalli.
It'll try to give ITVBe a run for it's money..