ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
ONE and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO lend support to launch of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s new digital channel, will launch with an evening's
simulcast on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO and with some temporary support from the residents
of Albert Square.
EastEnders,
which remains in its usual slot on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE, will premiere each episode
for a two week period on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE as part of the launch plans before
reverting to its usual transmission pattern.
Announcing
this key support from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO for the launch of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE, Jana Bennett, Director of Television, said:
"The
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is committed to driving digital take up and that is why I am
happy to bring the strength of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO to help show
viewers what else is on offer from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ with the launch of our
brand new digital channel, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE.
"We
are adding extra value by giving digital viewers the chance to see
EastEnders a little earlier for a limited time, and we are giving
all television viewers the chance to sample the launch night of
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO.
"ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE is an exciting, original and contemporary new channel which
we want as many viewers as possible to have the opportunity to experience."
For
the first three weeks following the launch of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE
will also showcase the very best of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE programming late night
on selected evenings.
Post
launch period, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE will then continue to showcase the best of
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE one night a week, late night, all year round.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE will launch on Sunday 9 February at 7.00pm and will broadcast
daily from 7.00pm until 4.00am.
It
completes the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s portfolio of TV channels for the digital age,
and aims to bring the best public service values to a younger generation
and offer something very different from other digital channels.
Original
and intelligent drama and entertainment will represent the majority
of the output but more than a third of programmes will cover news,
current affairs, education, music and arts.
There
is a commitment to 15 hours of science, religion, ethics and business
per year, a dedicated 15 minute news programme each weekday evening
with hourly bulletins until midnight and a commitment to new talent.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE will be a distinctive and inherently multicultural, interactive
channel with 80% of programming specifically commissioned for the
channel and 90% of programming being made in the UK or Europe.
Notes
to Editors
- The
proposals for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE were approved by the DCMS on 17 September
2002.
- The
channel will broadcast from 7.00pm until 4.00am each day.
- ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE joins ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ FOUR, CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and CBeebies as part
of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s portfolio of television channels.
- ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE and the other ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ digital channels will be available free-to-air
on all digital platforms, including the new digital terrestrial
platform Freeview.
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
THREE to launch on 9 February 2003 (19.11.02)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
unveils new logo for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE (16.10.02)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
welcomes approval for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ THREE (17.09.02)
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