ABC1 Set For UK Launch

[ogryn]

http://www.mediaweek.co.uk/News.asp...Category=0d1fcbaf-ed23-4ea7-b014-08c3557aecca

Walt Disney’s ABC television network in the United States is to launch a spin-off in the UK in the guise of ABC1, a daytime channel on the Freeview platform.

Billed as a general entertainment channel, ABC1 will initially broadcast from 6am to 6pm and will feature Emmy award-winning soap General Hospital and Sports Night, from the creator of West Wing, Aaron Sorkin.

Other programming includes the new Thirtysomething, Once and Again, and Geena Davis Show.

Walt Disney’s senior vice president and managing director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, John Hardie, will oversee the launch, scheduled for 27 September.

Walt Disney said it has plans to grow the channel into a 24-hour operation in the UK, while it also has ambitions to commission original UK programming and introduce a regular movie slot.

Hardie said; “The launch of the ABC brand signals the Walt Disney's Company's long term commitment to the UK.

“In its first phase, ABC1 will champion an underserved British audience – people who are busy at home during the day.

“All day long, ABC1 will provide the daytime viewer with well written, high quality entertainment."

Hardie is a former marketing and commercial director at ITV and was managing director for Proctor & Gamble's cosmetics and toiletries divisions in Europe.

Initially available on Freeview (DTT), and then joining Satellite and Cable later. The first few weeks will be advert free.

 

[barnum42]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

But thanks for the news. I'll get back from work just in time for the end of that day's transmission.

 

[ogryn]

Lineup

Weekdays

6.00am The Sinbad Show
6.30am Soul Man
6.55am Thunder Alley
7.20am Brotherly Love
7.45am 8 Simple Rules
8.10am Home Improvement
8.35am Daddio
9.00am Soul Man
9.25am General Hospital
10.10am Nurses
10.35am Empty Nest
11.00am Unhappily Ever After
11.25am Home Improvement
11.50am Daddio
12.15pm 8 Simple Rules
12.40pm Geena Davis
1.05pm General Hospital
1.50pm Ellen
2.15pm Once and Again
3.05pm Moonlighting
3.55pm Geena Davis
4.20pm Home Improvement
4.45pm 8 Simple Rules
5.10pm Ellen
5.35pm Sports Night
6.00pm CLOSE

SATURDAY

6.00am Daddio
6.25am The Sinbad Show
6.50am Soul Man
7.15am Thunder Alley
7.40am Brotherly Love
8.05am Daddio
8.30am Beg, Borrow And Deal
8.55am Wild Rules
9.20am TBA
9.45am Empty Nest
10.10am Home Improvement
10.35am Home Improvement
11.00am 8 Simple Rules
11.25am 8 Simple Rules
11.50am Geena Davis
12.15pm Geena Davis
12.40pm Ellen
1.05pm Ellen
1.30pm Unhappily Ever
1.55pm Moonlighting
2.45pm Home Improvement
3.10pm Home Improvement
3.35pm 8 Simple Rules
4.00pm 8 Simple Rules
4.20pm Ellen
4.45pm Ellen
5.10pm Sports Night
5.35pm Sports Night
6.00pm CLOSE


SUNDAY

6.00am Daddio
6.25am The Sinbad Show
6.50am Soul Man
7.15am Thunder Alley
7.40am Brotherly Love
8.05am Daddio
8.30am Beg, Borrow And Deal
8.55am Wild Rules
9.20am TBA
9.45am General Hospital Omnibus
1.30pm Unhappily Ever
1.55pm Moonlighting
2.45pm Nurses
3.10pm Ellen
3.35pm Geena Davis
4.00pm Daddio
4.20pm Home Improvement
5.10pm Once and Again
6.00pm CLOSE

Personally, I don't think it is too bad. I'm quite happy to see Home Improvement again, and Sports Night looks quite funny from the ABC1 Trailers they are running.

 

[Figment1986]

wait... Unhappily Ever After... isn't that the show with nikki ???

(the one WB made long time ago..)

 

[careship]

The lineup really isn't too bad. There are a couple of shows there that I would love to see again like Daddio, Brotherly Love and Once and Again. I wish they would use some of that programming for the stations here in the US. I would watch it then.