Foxtel takes Arena

A curious announcement today will see Foxtel take over the Arena Channel, currently managed by XYZnetworks in Sydney.

Foxtel operates several channels including FOX8, Bio, Comedy Channel, Crime & Investigation, W and History Channel. It will add Arena to its domain from October 1.

XYZ channels include Lifestyle, [V], MAX and The Weather Channel.

The strategy behind the move is less obvious in today's announcement. Is it part of a move to shift Arena to higher packages? Was the Channel under-performing under current management? Foxtel has claimed Arena as a booming entertainment channel with programmes such as Project Runway and Entourage, it views the acquisition of Arena as adding to its entertainment-driven channels.

UPDATE: Foxtel's Brian Walsh has since been quoted as wanting a new, locally commissioned series for Arena 07/08.

Press Release:

XYZnetworks has signed an agreement to transfer management of the ARENA subscription television channel to the FOXTEL Owned & Operated Group, from October 1, 2007.

XYZnetworks is a joint venture between FOXTEL and AUSTAR and owns, operates and/or distributes 11 subscription television channels.

The ARENA agreement was announced today by XYZnetworks’ Chief Executive Bruce Mann and FOXTEL’s Executive Director of Television & Marketing Brian Walsh.

ARENA is a general entertainment channel which has been distributed by FOXTEL and AUSTAR since 1995. Under XYZ’s management ARENA has enjoyed considerable growth, securing robust advertising revenues and exclusive, award-winning programming such as Entourage and Project Runway.

FOXTEL currently owns and operates a variety of STV channels including FOX8, FOX Classics, Bio., W., THE COMEDY CHANNEL, The History Channel, Crime & Investigation Network, FOXTEL Box Office and Main Event Television.

With extensive concentration in general entertainment and wide ranging relationships with the major studios, FOXTEL is primed to maximise ARENA’s potential.

“ARENA will evolve and develop with programming tailor made for its core audience of 25-39 females. It is a channel with great heritage and room to grow and I feel confident, that as a part of our team, ARENA will achieve outstanding results for its shareholders,” Mr Walsh said.

“The general entertainment sector is one of the most intensely competitive in the business. FOXTEL is well placed to manage an expanded portfolio of GE channels, securing quality content and offering viewers a broader variety of programs across the platform.”

XYZnetworks will continue to specialise and dominate the other channel genres in which it operates.

Mr Mann said: “XYZ will keep producing and delivering exceptional quality lifestyle, food, weather and music channels for our passionate, highly involved audiences.”

Of the 10 remaining channel brands in its portfolio, XYZ owns and operates seven: The LifeStyle Channel, LifeStyle FOOD, Channel [V], [V]2, MAX. Country Music Channel and The Weather Channel. XYZnetworks also distributes the global powerhouse Discovery Channel and partners with kids mega brands Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. Read more...

Gossip Girl 'soon'

FOX8 has indicated it will announce an airdate for Gossip Girl "in coming weeks."

The teen-based drama about rich kids of New York is based on the books of the same name by Cecily von Ziegesar.

The TV series will be produced by The OC's Josh Schwartz, and aired in the US this week.

As the ensemble cast deal with sex, drugs, and peer conformity, a narrator comments via her blog. The voice is that of actor Kristin Bell aka Veronica Mars.

TV Tonight will bring you an airdate as soon as it comes to hand!

Source: Wikipedia.
Read more...

City Homicide wins second series

Seven is to commission a second series of City Homicide.

It has approved a new season after only four episodes have aired. The vote of confidence follows figures which indicate it is currently Australia's most-watched drama, a title Sea Patrol enjoyed at the same point in its airing.

Seven's enthusiasm for the cop show is a big turn around from the lengthy indecision on the show prior to production. After the pilot was shot the series very nearly didn't go any further, but cast changes were made and it has found its feet.

Its a vote of confidence for Aussie drama that Seven wasn't able to extend to a second season of Last Man Standing or HeadLand. Nine's Sea Patrol is also in production on Series 2.

Seven's Aussie product continues to dominate the network's successes.

It also has a major interest in the Spielberg production, The Pacific.

Source: Herald-Sun Read more...

Lilley comedy under fire

Summer Heights High has come under the spotlight for its content again, after a plot involving an ecstacy death of one of the students, which drama teacher Mr G. uses as the basis of a musical production.

The name of the student, Annabel Dickson, is tragically close to that of Annabel Catt, a NSW girl who died of an overdose after the Good Vibrations concert in February. Her family has criticised the ABC for tackling the subject in the mockumentary.

ABC Managing Director, Mark Scott has apologised to the family, but is refusing to withdraw further eps as requested by the family. Instead it will bookend all episodes with disclaimers that the characters are entirely fictional.

"The ABC and the producer sincerely apologise for this extremely unfortunate coincidence, and in hindsight, we feel we should have alerted the Catt family to the situation in advance of the broadcast," Mr Scott said.

In defending the show, Scott has said shooting ceased on February 7, eleven days before the death of Catt. Annabel's older brother Antony, said, "Shock, disbelief, anger - I could use a lot of adjectives to describe how I felt."

The attention on Chris Lilley's humour follows earlier anger over some of his other subject matter.



Sources: The Age, Herald-Sun Read more...