The Studio (TV channel)

The Studio was a cable television film channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was a joint venture between NTL and Vivendi Universal who each had a 50 percent share.[1]

The Studio
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom, Ireland
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format576i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerNTL/Vivendi Universal
History
Launched1 February 2001
Closed1 January 2003
Availability
(at time of closure)
Cable
NTLChannel 60/118

The Studio was announced on 29 September 2000 amid speculation that some Hollywood-based film studios were planning to launch subscription film channels through BSkyB.[2] Ahead of its launch the channel was subject to analysis from the European Commission, who found that the film service would neither create nor reinforce a dominant position in any market.[3] The basic subscription channel launched on 1 February 2001 on NTL's analogue cable TV platform,[4] followed by digital on 7 February and NTL Ireland's digital platform in January 2002. At its launch The Studio had access to around 1,000 films, with a selection of both classic titles, as well as newer releases. Films included Born on the Fourth of July, Carlito's Way, Babe, Leaving Las Vegas and Shine. Movies would also be packaged into blocks and strands to attract particular viewers.

NTL had hoped to launch The Studio on other platforms, such as Sky Digital, ONdigital and Telewest,[5] but its failure to do so meant the channel did not reach the number of viewers a deal with another provider would have allowed. In May 2001, NTL attempted to sell its stake in The Studio in an effort to stem heavy losses,[6] while Vivendi also began to run into trouble. With NTL and Vivendi deciding the channel was not financially viable despite meeting its financial targets, it was announced on 18 December 2002 that The Studio would close at the end of the month.[7] The channel in fact remained on air until the early hours of 1 January 2003, when it closed after almost two years on air. NTL had agreed to provide a guarantee of £4.2 million in the event of termination of the joint venture, with closure costs totalling £4.8 million.[8]

See also

References
  1. Wilkes, Neil (29 September 2000). "Universal and ntl to launch film channel". Digital Spy. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  2. Ellery, Simon (6 October 2000). "NTL launches film service". Broadcast. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  3. Frater, Patrick (21 December 2000). "EC greenlights Universal, NTL pay-TV film service". Screen International. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  4. Salman, Jon (17 December 2000). "The Studio to launch on February 1". The Airwaves. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  5. Teather, David (30 September 2000). "NTL joins studio system". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  6. Poole, Oliver (20 May 2001). "NTL aims to sell Eurosport stake". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  7. Milmo, Dan (18 December 2002). "NTL/Vivendi movie channel closes". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  8. "Presentation to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of NTL Europe, Inc". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 30 September 2003. Retrieved 11 June 2012.


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