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IFC (American TV channel)

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For the Canadian equivalent, see IFC (Canadian TV channel).
IFC
CountryUnited States
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerAMC Networks

IFC (formerly known as the Independent Film Channel) is an American pay television channel that is owned by AMC Networks. Programming on the channel includes both original and acquired series, and fan favourite films.

As of February 2015, approximately 73,333,000 American households (63% of households with television) receive IFC.[1] In March 2015, Dish TV's Sling TV announced it would soon begin making AMC channels available to cord cutters, including AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV, and WE tv.[2][3][4]

History

IFC logo, used from 2001 to 2010; still used on IFC Canada.

Original focus on independent films

The channel debuted on September 1, 1994, under the ownership of Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation; IFC originated as a spin-off of then-sibling channel Bravo, which focused at that time on a wider variety of programming than IFC, including arts-related programming. The Independent Film Channel originally operated as a commercial-free service, with films being shown without interruption.

In 2005, IFC opened the IFC Center, a movie theater for independent film in New York City.[5] In 2008, IFC launched its Media Lab Studios, a section of its website on which users can enter IFC-sponsored film contests, and can view others’ films. Numerous contests are run simultaneously, each with a different focus and guidelines for entries, and are presented by IFC and another sponsor. Recent contest sponsors include Scion, Absolut Vodka, and Red Bull. In 2008, Rainbow Media acquired competing independent film service Sundance Channel from Robert Redford and Showtime Networks.[6]

Format change

Logo from 2010 to 2014

By the mid-2000s, IFC began shifting away from running only independent films; original and acquired television series began to be incorporated within the channel's programming inventory. In March 2010, IFC unveiled a newly redesigned logo and a new slogan – Always On. Slightly Off – which reflects IFC's shift from merely airing independent films to also airing cult television series and specials with an indie flavor and sensibility.[7] Around this time, IFC became an advertiser-supported service and started commercial advertisements between programs. Theatrically released feature films, many of which AMC holds television rights to, also became part of IFC's schedule.

On December 8, 2010, IFC began airing commercials within its programming, a move that sparked controversy among its viewers.[8][9] Along with this, IFC began to censor its programming. Most notably, The Whitest Kids U'Know had profanity bleeped and nudity blurred. In addition, all sex scenes from movies that featured nudity were now edited out. Despite continuing to air advertisements during its programming, IFC largely reversed its censorship practices and started to air R-rated movies and TV-MA rated series uncensored. The channel would publicly trumpet this fact in 2012 by releasing ads featuring showings of back-to-back blocks of movies like the Friday the 13th film series, highlighting the nudity and gore.[10] However, episodes of some programs rated TV-14 are still censored.[11]

On July 1, 2011, Rainbow Media was spun off from Cablevision into a separate company, which was renamed AMC Networks.[12] The name "IFC" is now an orphan initialism. On January 9, 2014, network general manager Jennifer Caserta announced: "The name 'Independent Film Channel' has been legally retired...starting today, IFC is legally IFC."[13] Beginning in May, the IFC logo, which was used since 2010 was rendered in 3-D.[14]

On November 15, 2016, AMC Networks acquired a minority stake in comedy video website and film and television production company Funny or Die, with plans to integrate it with IFC.[15] On April 27, 2018, the company later acquired a majority stake in comedy venue operator Levity Live.[16]

2012 Dish Network carriage dispute

Main article: AMC Networks § Dish Network carriage dispute

Programming

Current programming

Scripted

Unscripted

Award shows

Acquired

Future programming

  • Year of The Rabbit (2019 co-production with the UK’s Channel 4)
  • NGO (2018)[17]
  • How to Rig an Election (2018)[17]
  • Frank and Lamar (2018)[17]
  • Sherman's Showcase (2018)[17]
  • Elna (2018)[17]
  • Greener Grass (2018)[17]
  • The Last Hotel Detective (2018)[17]
  • Dr. Taco (2018)[17]
  • Bad Beta (2018)[17]
  • New Hope (2018)[17]
  • Lee's Kill List (2018)[17]
  • Mama Tried (2018)[17]
  • Todd Barth Can Help You (TBA)[18]
  • Living With Yourself (TBA)[19]

Former programming

Documentaries

Scripted

Unscripted

Anime

Programming blocks

  • IFC: Grindhouse
  • Comedy Death Ray

Acquired

Other services

High-defintion feed

IFC HD is a high definition simulcast feed of IFC that broadcasts in 1080i resolution.

IFC Free

IFC operates a video on demand television service called IFC Free, which is available at no additional charge to pay-television subscribers. IFC Free offers program content consisting of independent and theatrically-released feature films and original programs, including premieres of IFC programs before their initial broadcast on the linear television channel.

IFC Films

AMC Networks operates an independent film studio, IFC Films, which launched in 2001 and produces independent films for theatrical release. IFC Films has entered into several ventures in new distribution models for video on demand (VOD) and DVDs. The company has released over 600 films.

IFC.com

IFC's website, ifc.com, features blogs and news about film, music, and politics in addition to content about IFC's series, documentaries, and programming. The site also features exclusive web content consisting of a variety of original web series.

Web series

Blogs

International version

Canada

Main article: IFC (Canadian TV channel)

The Canadian version of the Independent Film Channel launched on August 15, 2001 under the ownership of Salter Street Films, under a brand licensing agreement with Rainbow Media. Alliance Atlantis acquired the channel in December 2001, through its purchase of Salter Street Films.[37] On January 18, 2008,[38] a joint venture between Canwest and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners known as CW Media,[39] acquired control of IFC through its purchase of Alliance Atlantis' broadcasting assets, which were placed in a trust in August 2007.[40]

On October 27, 2010, IFC Canada's ownership changed again through Shaw Communications' acquisition of Canwest and Goldman Sachs' interest in CW Media.[41][42] As with its U.S. namesake, the channel originally focused almost exclusively on smaller independent films. However, IFC Canada has broadened its programming focus to include more mainstream films from large production studios as the U.S. channel has done. It has also de-emphasized the use of the full Independent Film Channel name, instead using the IFC acronym, possibly due to the decrease in the number of independent films on its schedule.

As of 2014, none of IFC's original programming has aired on this channel. Rival broadcaster Bell Media currently owns exclusive rights to their shows and has aired them on their various networks, including The Movie Network and MuchMusic.[43]

References

  1. ^ Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015). "List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  2. ^ Newman, Jared (March 4, 2015). "Sling TV bulks up base package with AMC and IFC". TechHive.
  3. ^ Newman, Jared (January 30, 2015). "Sling TV brings back the linear video element that other cord-cutting services lack, but could use some polish and a few more features". TechHive.
  4. ^ Paul, Ian Paul (February 9, 2015). "Sling TV's web-based live television opens to all cord cutters, adds AMC to lineup".
  5. ^ Meehan, Peter (October 19, 2005). "Just Off the Aisle at the Movies". The New York Times.
  6. ^ Rainbow buys Sundance Channel Variety, May 7, 2008 JOHN DEMPSEY, DADE HAYES
  7. ^ "FAQ Mobile App – Android". IFC.
  8. ^ "IFC's corporatespeak is insufficient response to showing ads during movies". Democracy Soup.
  9. ^ Payne, Bob (December 13, 2010). "Is IFC selling out? Channel runs commercials now, irking viewers". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 3, 2011.
  10. ^ The Many Faces of Friday the 13th’s Jason Voorhees – IFC Archived December 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "IFC Now Stands for "Interrupted Film Channel"". MovieFanFare. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-12-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ AMC Networks Goes Public With Hot Shows, And Analysts Looking For A Sale Deadline New York July 1, 2011.
  13. ^ The Deadline Team. "IFC Officially Changes Name – To IFC – Deadline". Deadline.
  14. ^ IFC Branding. Gretel. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  15. ^ "AMC Networks Takes Minority Stake in Funny or Die, Plans Integrations With IFC". Variety (magazine).
  16. ^ "AMC Networks Buys Majority Stake in Comedy Venue Operator Levity Live". The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Pederson, Erik (29 July 2017). "IFC Sets 2018 Slate With 11 Comedy Projects Including 'How To Rig An Election' & Oliver Platt-Produced 'NGO' – TCA". Deadline.
  18. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (April 21, 2016). "IFC Developing Comedy Projects with Bryan Cranston, Steven Weber, Sharon Horgan". Variety. Retrieved April 21, 2016.
  19. ^ Pedersen, Erik (February 16, 2017). "IFC Orders 'Living With Yourself,' Scripted Comedy Series From 'Daily Show' Veteran". Deadline. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  20. ^ "Cutting Ties". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Dead & Lonely". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Four Eyed Monster". Ifc.com. December 7, 2009. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Funnel of Drakness". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Get Hit". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Getting Away With Murder". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ "Good Morning Internet!". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "Lunchbox". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  28. ^ "Like So Many Things". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "The Mary Van Note Show". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "The Stagg Party". Ifc.com. December 7, 2009. Archived from the original on July 17, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "The Unclothed Man in the 35th Century A.D." Ifc.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Trapped in the Closet". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  33. ^ "Pushing Twilight". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "Young American Bodies". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "IFC News Blog". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "IFC Now Blog". Ifc.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ Decision CRTC 2001-752 CRTC 2001-12-13
  38. ^ Canwest Global receives final CRTC approval for acquisition of Alliance Atlantis CNW press release 2008-01-18
  39. ^ Goldman's happy ending at CanWest The Globe and Mail 2010-05-03
  40. ^ CanWest Completes Acquisition of Alliance Atlantis Archived April 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Investor Point 2007-08-15
  41. ^ Shaw Communications closes purchase of Canwest TV assets, rebrands as Shaw Media [dead link]
  42. ^ CRTC approves Shaw’s purchase of the Canwest Global television properties Archived December 20, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  43. ^ "The Movie Network Presents World-Changing IFC Comedy THE SPOILS OF BABYLON Beginning Jan. 9 at 10 p.m. ET". Bell Media. 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
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