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BSkyB to close Bravo and Channel One
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Bravo and Channel One are to close, Challenge will replace Channel One on Freeview with C1's back catalogue moving to Sky3.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/sep/15/bravo-channel-one-bdkyb
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/sep/15/bravo-channel-one-bdkyb
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Well, Channel One didn't last long .......
It makes me think though, how things have changed, from when we first got freeview is 2004 ish.. we had FTN and Sky Travel. Sky Travel became Sky 3, FTN became Virgin 1, then Channel 1 and now replaced by Challenge!
Don't forget Sons of Anarchy! And Manswers... Ok, do forget Manswers.
Its a shame about Bravo, I'd like to see it go back to what it originally was 'time warp television' with old cult classics.
Sky 1 will probably take them. They say they're closing Bravo as it is aimed at a similar demographic, but lacks the audience reach and share that Sky 1 has.
I'm not bothered about Channel One going as long as Chuck continues to be FTA via Sky3. I'm not bothered about the rest of its programming.
Challenge might actually be a good addition to Freeview, something a bit different.
Virgin 1/Channel 1 was quite a good channel, and now they are diluting Freeview content even more.
What's the betting they'll get rid of the gameshow programmes eventually and turn it into a channel not unlike ITV Play? :rolleyes:
It did seem unusual for a channel to be rebranded so quickly, before a review of its content etc. was carried out. How do you work that out?
The Virgin 1/Channel 1 programmes will now be shown on Sky3, and Challenge is launching to boot. So while a channel is being replaced, its content will still be available and you have the new channel to boot.
And for those on freeview, if done right Sky3/Channel 1 will actually be a good channel there is enough good programming on both combined that its probably the best move imo.
I don't really understand closing Bravo down though, as even though it reaches the same demographic as Sky 1, at the same time its a different type of channel, and both could easily have continued as they are.
Having some of C1's current back catalogue such as the Star Trek's, Chuck and V will boost the Sky3 output away from the current filler of Airline, Road Wars and UK Border Force.
Challenge TV will be a poor replacement and along with the recent withdrawal of Sky Sports News it seems a deliberate strategy to make Freeview less attractive.
Seems also that the purchase of VMtv was all about getting hold of the Living channels to address the female market.
Any new content will go to Sky One. Only the older content will go to Sky 3 and even then some of the older popular content will maybe just go out on Sky 2.
"BSkyB intends to "redeploy" the channels' programming, with pay-TV shows moving to other Sky channels and free-to-air fare mostly moving to Sky3."
free-to-air fare i.e. what is now on Channel One
Compare that with Challenge that is now slightly dated and has not had a new show for over a year when Winning Lines was purchased.
However I personally think this is a very good move.
Sky bet shows are limited to 3 hours otherwise they have to go to another section of the Sky epg, with Challenge Jackpot, Sky Vegas and Sky Poker already on the EPG in that area it would make no sense for Sky to change the content to religate the channel out of the main EPG positions.
I also think the new look Sky 3 sounds very good taking the best from Channel 1 and Sky 3 and that would result in a very solid channel indeed, rather than a lot of the filler Sky 3 and Channel 1 had. Thiss i guess also explains the Sky 3+1 launch a bit better now.
Hopefully the move to freeview will result in Challenge getting in some solid new shows, some original content and expanding on the kids shows past knightmare and Fun House that they have at the moment.
Chuck and V should be aired on Sky3 if the rights are FTA.
I disagree.
As I said in the Freeview forum both channels were tired. Sky3 lacking on programming as Sky are never going to show the likes of 'Lost' on the channel for free. Sky3 will now have a mix of Sky Travel/Sky Real Lives/Virgin1/Channel One and old Sky One programming. That will make a fantastic channel and there's also the plus one which will come in handy since the loss of V1+1.
Sky One is just going to get massive. They have the HBO deal, lots of shows from Bravo and existing shows. Plus in addition Sky is being generous offering a pay tv channel on Freeview all be it old quiz shows. I would describe it as Sky merging and creating one super Freeview channel whilst creating an even far superior pay entertainment channel.
Bad news about the loss of Bravo. I think they put too much significance in the Living brand. I'm a bit sick of "Living It", "Living Loves". Clearly it was too many channels for Sky to handle so it's bad for Cable viewers as these are important channels. So basically it all goes back to Sky now they have EPG slots and programming. No room for another debate over costs like when they removed Sky1!
Virgin made a mistake selling these channels to Sky. Challenge is only good if it doesn't turn into Sky Bet 24/7. It could backfire and Sky could say well "who wants old quiz shows" on Freeview making it worse. But everybody with Sky would take UK Gold back in a minute. Look at the success of Men & Motors and old shows on DTT. Challenge will do extremely well on Freeview.
THats the first thing I thought.
It will have to be dumped because Sky wouldn't want to upset WWE by having it on Sky 1/2/3.
As soon as I read that the sale of VMTV had been approved I knew TNA would be the first programming casualty.
I wonder what channel would pick it up? Im hoping a FTA would take it...... Thank God for torrents in the meantime.
Will Sky 3 become Sky Sex at night;)