Turner Broadcasting, owner of the TNT cable and satellite channel, is today launching a new service called Turner Classic Movies (TCM). Initially TCM will only be available to Sky Digital and NTL CableTel customers, although Turner vice-president of advertising sales, Dee Forbes, says that the intention is to roll the channel out across as many platforms as possible.
TCM already broadcasts in the US, Spain and Poland, but has not been available in the UK before. As the channel launches, Turner’s current classic movies service, TNT, will be repositioned as a general entertainment channel. Forbes said that TNT will still feature movies, but is broadening its appeal by carrying series, wrestling and music programmes as well. TNT currently takes a 0.5% viewing share in cable and satellite homes.
Turner is supporting the launch of TCM with a national press and on-station advertising campaign. Also promoting the launch will be a covermounted “Bluffers’ Guide To Classic Movies” video on Future Publishing’s Total Film magazine. More promotions are expected as the channel moves beyond its launch phase.
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