[drummerboyXD]

Sorry if there has already been a similar thread to this posted before, but the idea of this thread is to pick a UK based TV channel from any broadcaster and then pick a different country and find that country's equivalent to the TV channel you picked.

For example, BBC Two in the UK, equivalent TV channel in The Netherlands, Nederland 2.

[Tony Richards]

French equivalents by nearest format and type not name:
BBC1 - FR2
BBC2 - FR3 but with more regions
ITV1 - TF1
C5 - M6
Difficult as they are so different. Germany is also not easy to compare:
ARD (Das Erste) - BBC1
ZDF - BBC2
The nearest to ITV would probably be channels like SAT1, RTL or Pro7.

[ftv]

BBC1 and 2 are available on cable in most of Belgium, Holland and parts of northern France so you wouldn't need to find an equivalent.

[theonlyweeman]

America
BBC1 - ABC
BBC 2/4- PBS
BBC3 - FX
ITV1 - Fox
Channel 5 - CBS (Content wise) NBC (Situation wise)

[Tom123]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

America
BBC1 - ABC
BBC 2/4- PBS
BBC3 - FX
ITV1 - Fox
Channel 5 - CBS (Content wise) NBC (Situation wise)

How on earth did you come up with that? Would be interested in your criteria. It doesn't make much sense to me. I don't think that you can find equivalents at all in the US as it's so different not least of all as there are no national channels as such OTA.

The big "old" networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) are pretty similar in terms of content, Fox has a slightly younger edge. Then, of course, there's TheCW. FX is a cable channel, there are a myriad of others...

[djonshore]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

America
BBC1 - ABC
BBC 2/4- PBS
BBC3 - FX
ITV1 - Fox
Channel 5 - CBS (Content wise) NBC (Situation wise)

And Channel 4 - CW?

[Tom123]

As I said...it really doesn't make much sense at all

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by Tom123

How on earth did you come up with that? Would be interested in your criteria. It doesn't make much sense to me. I don't think that you can find equivalents at all in the US as it's so different not least of all as there are no national channels as such OTA.

The big "old" networks (ABC, CBS and NBC) are pretty similar in terms of content, Fox has a slightly younger edge. Then, of course, there's TheCW. FX is a cable channel, there are a myriad of others...

I knew it would be controversial, and a lot of my choices were rough fits rather than exact fits, based primarily around content and reputation. I probably screwed it up completely, but here's what my thought for each one were:

BBC1 - ABC
ABC has a reputation for safe family content and airs a variety of different genres, much like BBC1 tries to,

BBC 2/4- PBS
Mainly documentaries and more highbrow content, much like PBS

BBC3 - FX
Quite edgey and occasionally clever, like FX's comedy output (notably Louie), but can also be mainstream (like FX's films, sports coverage and Anger Management).

ITV1 - Fox
Lot's of general entertainment, quite a few reality shows, with the occasional drama and comedy mixed in. Not really that close, but it was closest channel I could find.

Channel 5 - CBS (Content wise) NBC (Situation wise)
Channel 5 airs a lot of CBS shows, but doesn't perform too well and so is struggling (much like NBC is at the moment)

Originally Posted by djonshore

And Channel 4 - CW?

Despite my attempt to falsify logic to justify my other choices, I still couldn't find anything that fits in with Channel 4, cos despite people's claims Channel 4 does actually air a large variety of programmes

[Tom123]

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

BBC1 - ABC
ABC has a reputation for safe family content and airs a variety of different genres, much like BBC1 tries to,

As do CBS and NBC

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

BBC3 - FX
Quite edgey and occasionally clever,

As is AMC, TNT or USA

Originally Posted by theonlyweeman

ITV1 - Fox
Lot's of general entertainment, quite a few reality shows, with the occasional drama and comedy mixed in.

Same on ABC or NBC

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by Tom123

As do CBS and NBC
Not really CBS has reputation for drama and NBC has a reputation for screwing up

Originally Posted by Tom123

As is AMC, TNT or USA

Not really, they're all drama channels aimed at slightly older demographic BBC3 doesn't do that much drama and tends not cater for that age group which is why I went for FX

Originally Posted by Tom123

Same on ABC or NBC

That I'll give you

[WLB]

ITV = CBS, slightly older demo than the rest, vintage news history that currently flagging. Strength in crime dramas. The most popular commercial channel.

BBC 1 = NBC about 10 years ago. Ruled the roost in news, would be able to guarantee a decent rating for most premier dramas, though still dependent on a few aging hits. Slightly more urban, demo friendly scewing viewership than the rest.

E4= CW, targeting the teen demo.

Sky One = Fox, Young end of the demo, but is growing up by investing heavily in home grown drama that appeals to a slightly older demo than they used to appeal to.

BBC 2, Channel 4 and Channel 5. I wouldn't really say they have an American equivalent.

Australia

ITV = nine. The old powerhouse that used to rule the roost, but fell on hard times after going more for the demo, though recently shown some signs that they are on the mend. Used to be the nations drama powerhouse, struggling in this area more recently.

BBC 1 = seven. Used to be the underdog, but has now stamped its authority, but is showing signs of some of there biggest drama hits past there peak.

Five = ABC, limited budget, so schedule of imports and documentarys.

Channel 4 = Ten.

[theonlyweeman]

Originally Posted by WLB

E4= CW, targeting the teen demo.

I'd have gone TBS for E4, full of comedy repeats, with the occasional original show and film. Primarily aimed at a young demo, but suitable for everyone.

I'd have probably put CW as more ITV2, what with all the teen dramas they show, but the CW doesn't really have a UK equivalent, so it's kinda hard to justify.

[rbtwln10]

"Five = ABC, limited budget, so schedule of imports and documentarys"

I would have to disagree with you there as the ABC is the main public broadcaster in Australia, I would compare it more with BBC 2, its much more highbrow than the UK's Five. The other public broadcaster in Australia is SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) which broadcasts foreign language programmes as well as some good english ones too, I would slightly compare it with BBC Four.

If you look at New Zealand TV... Well what can I say, very trashy and downmarket. The public broadcaster has a station called TVNZ 7 based on the BBC 4 model but I think that this will soon be closed down.

[djpower]

Originally Posted by WLB

ITV = nine. The old powerhouse that used to rule the roost, but fell on hard times after going more for the demo, though recently shown some signs that they are on the mend. Used to be the nations drama powerhouse, struggling in this area more recently.

If thats the case then WIn Television must be like STV they usually have a slightly different overnight schedule to channel 9 generally caused because they offer a local news service (the only local news service for many regions) which forces them to either to dump programs or reschedule. They sometimes looks very cheap in production and always like to plastering their own branding over channel 9.

[JAS84]

Sky One is actually a direct counterpart of Fox. Both launched in the 1980s, both are owned by Rupert Murdoch, both show a lot of the same programmes, including The Simpsons. The main differences are that Fox is free but Sky is pay, and Sky doesn't have X Factor and Idol because ITV, as the original broadcaster of those shows, had first refusal on the US versions and took the broadcasting rights.