CBS to launch new UK channels

CBS Studios International will launch a "bouquet" of new channels in the UK next month as part of a joint venture with Chellomedia.

The November 16 arrival of CBS Action, CBS Reality and CBS Drama on UK digital television will mark the first time that a branded CBS channel has ventured outside the US, reports Broadcast Now.

For the launch, Chellomedia has freed up six of its existing channels on Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat via its Chello Zone international broadcasting arm.

Zone Reality and its +1 channel will change to CBS Reality and CBS Reality +1, Zone Romantica will become CBS Drama and Zone Thriller will change to CBS Action. The deal also includes Zone Horror and its +1 channel, but they will remain unchanged for the moment.

Programming on the channels will derive from the 70,000-plus hours of content in the CBS archives, including thriller Jag and remastered episodes of Star Trek coming to CBS Action, Dr. Phil and Judge Judy to show on CBS Reality and Dynasty to broadcast on CBS Drama. Chellomedia also plans to source additional third-party content to fill the channel's schedules.

Commenting on the forthcoming launch, CBS Studios International president Armando Nunez indicated that the focus is now on getting the UK launch right, before considering any futher expansion.

"Chello has a bouquet of channels that are doing well but have never really had access to higher-tier content," said Nunez. "We have the content, but are not really in the international channels business. It's a natural fit."

CBS executive vice president Reed Manville, who will lead the UK project, revealed that the channels are aimed at people aged 35 and over who enjoy watching library programmes.

"There's latent awareness of the CBS brand, and that it stands for quality US entertainment, but people associate it with things such as DVDs, motion pictures and news," he said. "Our job is to build that out."