AMC Networks UK has made a further restructure of their channel lineup, following a similar exercise in 2022, which has seen the end of the use of the CBS brand. No changes have been made to platform availability, with the channel remaining on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media, and Freeview.
Continue reading Further Restructure of AMC UK LineupTag: AMC
CBS Dropped from UK Channels
The CBS name is being dropped from UK channels, as the former AMC Networks and CBS UK joint venture disbands. There will still be four channels, but CBS Drama and CBS Justice will come to an end. A precursor to the more widespread changes came earlier this year, when CBS Justice and Horror swapped channel numbers on Freeview. Horror moved from channel number 69 to 41, with CBS Justice making the opposite move.
Now, widespread changes are being made, with the CBS name being dropped, as Paramount Global (owners of CBS and other brands) gradually restructures. The changes have been timed to coincide with the closure of the COM7 Freeview multiplex on the 30th June (2022).
Horror, which already shows sci-fi programmes, will be replaced by Legend and Horror Extra. Legend will broaden Horrors reach to complimentary genres such as action, and increased amount of sci-fi programmes. Horror Extra will be a part time channel, focusing on horror movies and TV shows post watershed. On Freeview, Legend will take over the slot currently occupied by Horror, but on Freesat, Sky, Virgin Media, will replace CBS Justice when it closes.
Horror Extra will take over Horror’s existing slots on satellite (Sky/Freesat) and cable (Virgin Media), but is not expected to be available on Freeview. Horror currently has a +1 version on these platforms, which Horror Extra will inherit.
CBS Reality will continue unchanged initially, but is expected to become Reality in due course. CBS Drama, itself no longer solely devoted to drama shows, will become Reality Extra. It is understood, that there will be no schedule changes, beyond the name change, but Reality Extra will have reduced coverage on Freeview.
The changes have been timed to coincide with the closure of the COM7 Freeview multiplex on the 30th June (2022).
Note: I became aware of the changes to the above channels a week or so ago, but have only recently had sufficient sources (and time) to be able to adequately cross reference the changes.
More Channel Closures
AMC will become high definition (HD) only from Thursday, when the standard definition version of the channel on the Sky satellite platform will come to an end. A small number of viewers with non HD equipment will loose access to the channel. The HD version remains unchanged. Asian music service MTV Beats will also leave the Sky platform in the next week.
Over on the Virgin Media cable platform, standard definition versions of TLC, Quest, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Eurosport 1, and Eurosport 2 have been removed. Where the HD version of the channel was on a lower number, the channel has been promoted to the higher number. Some of the HD channels were on a higher subscription package, but these have been moved down to the former standard definition channels subscription tiers, so no viewers will lose access to the channels.
As all Virgin Media boxes in use are HD compatible, the standard definition versions of the channels were effectively redundant. No viewers will be impacted by the change.
Meanwhile, Your TV has closed on all platforms. The channel was free-to-air, and was acquired by Disney with the Fox business. Disney currently operated no free-to-air channels in the UK.
More HD Conversions and Channel Closures
AMC will become high definition (HD) only from Thursday, when the standard definition version of the channel on the Sky satellite platform will come to an end. A small number of viewers with non HD equipment will loose access to the channel. The HD version remains unchanged. Asian music service MTV Beats will also leave the Sky platform in the next week.
Over on the Virgin Media cable platform, standard definition versions of TLC, Quest, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Eurosport 1, and Eurosport 2 have been removed. Where the HD version of the channel was on a lower number, the channel has been promoted to the higher number. Some of the HD channels were on a higher subscription package, but these have been moved down to the former standard definition channels subscription tiers, so no viewers will lose access to the channels.
As all Virgin Media boxes in use are HD compatible, the standard definition versions of the channels were effectively redundant. No viewers will be impacted by the change.
Meanwhile, Your TV has closed on all platforms. The channel was free-to-air, and was acquired by Disney with the Fox business. Disney currently operated no free-to-air channels in the UK.
New CBS on Demand Players for Freesat
The CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership has launched new on demand players on the Freesat platform. Horror Bites and CBS Catchup Channels UK allow viewers to view content from Horror Channel, CBS Reality, CBS Justice and CBS Drama through their compatible Freesat set top box.
Viewers can catch up on programmes for up to 30 days from when first broadcast on the linear channels. Box sets and CBS Reality original programming are also available to stream.
The CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership is a joint venture between AMC Networks International and CBS Studios International.