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Film 24 (channel)

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Film24
Ownership
OwnerFilm24 Limited

Film24 was a British television channel, that was available on Sky channel 157. The company had offices at Pinewood Studios and produced content for the TV channel as well as programmes for international TV, the Internet and mobile distribution. Before its sale in 2010, the channel averaged around 800,000 viewers a week.[1]

History

Film24 was an independent,[citation needed] multi-platform content business, founded by Nicky J Davis and based at Pinewood Film Studios, that produced programmes and short features about the film industry and films themselves to satisfy the ever-growing consumer demand for film consumption and the audience's fascination with the movie business. Content was available via its own website,[2] on mobile via RokTV, IPTV via Joost and as programming blocks on Sky.

Following a trial run on Sky channel 138, with excellent feedback from both viewers and the film industry alike, Film24 secured a permanent home in the Entertainment section of the Sky Electronic Programming Guide by acquiring Sky Channel 158 (Bonanza) and all its assets from Optimistic Entertainment in May 2007 through major shareholder Caparo Ventures.[3]

Film24, the TV channel, finally launched in July 2007 as a channel about film, not airing films, but with original programming covering large and small films and DVD releases, new talent, regional cinema, films in production and behind-the-scenes programmes reporting and explaining every aspect of the film industry.[4]

In Spring 2008, on line community X-taster [5] were commissioned to provide Film24's online offering. Following five failed attempts, numerous delays, and a serious split in Xtasters founding management team, in October 2009, Film24.com relaunched, making the channel theoretically interactive for web users. The intention had been to launch a video-on-demand service, with a view to showing full-length episodes and films in the UK and Ireland.

In the latter half of 2009, the COO, Andrew Burns, brought in a new programming strategy, focusing on acquiring programmes. This new direction saw an increase in celebrity programming, demonstrating the Hollywood lifestyle and reality television shows. Film24 also showed awards shows, with the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards airing in 2010. The Screen Actors Guild Awards were transmitted live in the UK.

In September 2009, Film24 commissioned Starstruck Media to relaunch flagship programme Film Xtra. Originally, thirteen 15 minute programmes were agreed, but the programme was soon made into a half-hour feature, and continued to look at new cinema releases, home entertainment releases, and news from the world of film.[6] The programme was presented by former CBBC and Top of the Pops presenter, Adrian Dickson. A spin-off series, that was broadcast post the 9 p.m. watershed - FXU, started in January 2010, presented by Tim Fornara.

Also in September, Film24 acquired the rights to computer games shows Playr and Playr Guides.

In December 2009, Film24 announced plans to significantly increase its spend on new programmes.[7]

In early 2010, the channel showed a number of Southern Television programmes such as Freewheelers, The Flockton Flyer and the TV version of Dick Barton, some of which later turned up on Talking Pictures TV.

In April 2010, Film24 announced that it had acquired a brand new Hollywood chat show In The House.[8] The programme will feature major celebrities live in the studio including Morgan Freeman, Kathryn Bigelow, Quentin Tarantino, Sigourney Weaver, Harrison Ford and Jeff Bridges to name but a few.

The announcers on the channel were Trish Bertram,[9] Mike Cooper,[10] and Heather Larcombe.[11]

Film24 Sale

The channel's principal shareholder was Lord Swaraj Paul's Caparo Group. In May 2010, Angad Paul (CEO of Caparo Group) withdrew promised development funding, without any notice, following serious financial problems at Caparo,[12][13] forcing the channel into financial difficulties.[14][15]

On 22 June 2010, Canis Media announced that it was reviewing options for the potential sale of Film24.[14] The company, which was responsible for channel management and transmission of the Film24 TV channel, said that options included a straight sale of the channel 157 slot on Sky’s EPG, a sale of the channel itself, a joint venture with a new owner, or a rescue package with new investors.[15] Up to a dozen firms confirmed interest.[16]

On 7 September 2010, Canis Media announced that the sale of Film24 is "near to completion" and the new owner would be unveiled shortly.[17] On 28 October 2010, it was reported that Sony Pictures Television were on the brink of a deal to buy Film24 as their first entry into the UK channel market.[18][19] On 19 November 2010, Sony Pictures Television acquired all the assets of Film24 for an undisclosed sum, making it now possible that they can launch Animax, their satellite channel in Japan dedicated to anime, in the UK.[20]

On 8 November 2015, Angad Paul (CEO of Caparo Group) committed suicide by jumping from his 8th floor London penthouse two weeks after his family's steel company Caparo Group was forced into Administration.[21]

References

  1. ^ "Top 10 Programmes". BARB. 1 November 2015. Archived from the original on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 2015-11-09. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Sony Entertainment Television, United Kingdom". Film24.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  3. ^ Joanne Payne. "Film24 takes over Bonanza channel". Brand Republic. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  4. ^ Mitchell, Wendy (20 July 2007). "Film24 channel launches on UK's Sky platform | News | Screen". Screendaily.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  5. ^ [1] Archived 2 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ [2] Archived 24 November 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ "Film 24 appoints Media Icon to handle sales". Campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  8. ^ "3DD Productions". 3ddgroup.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  9. ^ "British Female Voiceover". Trish Bertram. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  10. ^ "About >". Mike Cooper Voiceover. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  11. ^ "Heather Larcombe | LinkedIn". Uk.linkedin.com. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  12. ^ "Caparo admits to 'broken banking limits'". This is Money. 4 July 2010.
  13. ^ "Labour peer faces trouble at Caparo". Daily Mail. 5 July 2010.
  14. ^ a b "Canis handling Film24 Sky channel sale". Digital Spy. 22 June 2010.
  15. ^ a b "Film24 operators call in Canis Media". Broadcast. 22 June 2010.
  16. ^ Rees, Jon (26 June 2010). "Buyers queue up as Film24 goes on sale". This is Money. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  17. ^ "Film24 sale 'near to completion'". Digital Spy. 7 September 2010.
  18. ^ "Sony set for Sky EPG slot in move into UK market". Broadcast. 28 October 2010.
  19. ^ "Sony launching first UK channel". Television Business International. 29 October 2010.
  20. ^ "Sony Pictures Television to launch UK TV channel". Ertonline.co.uk. 22 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  21. ^ Ward, Victoria. "Son of Lord Paul, the billionaire steel magnate, plunges to his death as the family business collapses". Telegraph. Retrieved 9 November 2015.
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