Turner Broadcasting is returning to free-to-air broadcasting with a UK launch for entertainment network TruTV.
It’s understood the channel will be available across Freeview, YouView and Freesat platforms with distribution on Sky and Virgin Media under negotiation.
In the US the channel was relaunched in January 2008 having begun its life in 1991 as Court TV. It has distribution in 93 million homes. There’s also distribution in Latin America and Asia.
The channel is known for shows including Full Throttle Saloon, Southern Fried Stings, Guinness World Records Gone Wild, Impractical Jokers, Most Shocking, Upload with Shaquille O’Neal and Hardcore Pawn.
The UK portfolio will build on the pipeline of original unscripted content from Turner US, complimented by a slate of acquisitions in partnership with third parties such as Endemol and Zodiak Rights to further expand the channel audience.
Around 2009 Turner experimented with a branded block for its Adult Swim channel and Nuts TV, based on the lads’ magazine.
Jemma Yates, director of general entertainment, UK and Ireland, Turner Broadcasting commented: “truTV is larger than life compulsive viewing. The channel invites the audience into the worlds of real people in real life situations and gives them a chance to experience the often dynamic, amazing and always entertaining situations that ensue.
“From the everyday encounters of two well-versed American brothers in a Chicago-based pawn shop in Hardcore Pawn: Chicago to the cringe-inducing spectacle that is Killer Karaoke, this is enthralling entertainment at its very best. We are thrilled to be adding truTV to Turner’s UK portfolio.”
Anthony Lukom, Turner UK’s general manager, added: “truTV shows real-life comedy featuring incredible characters in real-life situations, a formula that is enjoying ever-increasing popularity worldwide. We are extremely excited to be carving out a place for this unique proposition as a dedicated free to air channel in the UK. The channel will also widen Turner Broadcasting’s general entertainment portfolio, extending our reach to 26 million homes in the UK. We look forward to further building our channel strategy in this market.”
From: http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/05/14/turner-brings-trutv-to-uk/?utm_source=feedly&utm_reader=feedly&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=turner-brings-trutv-to-uk
