BSkyB Reviewing Future Of Music Channels After Shake-Up
BSkyB is beleived to be reviewing the future of its three music channels, The Amp, Scuzz and Flaunt, as part of a shake-up that will see head of music channels, Jo Wallace, move to oversee original programming at flagship entertainment channel Sky One.
Reports suggest that Wallace’s arrival at Sky One will conincide with the channel’s attempt to attract a more upmarket audience in the lucrative 16 to 34 age range. The move will see Sky One get new on-screen branding this autumn.
A spokesperson from BSkyB told the Guardian today that the satellite broadcaster was reviewing the options for its portfolio of music channels, but would not specify what channels could be facing closure and emphasised that it was business as usual at the moment.
The closure of the channels would mark a retreat from the BSkyB’s challenge to MTV and Emap for supremacy in the pay-TV music market. Their launch in April last year formed part of the broadcaster’s attempt to compete in the highly competitive market, which is dominated by the likes of MTV, MTV2, Smash Hits and Q.
Sky’s The Amp is aimed at indie music fans, rock channel Scuzz targets metal bands and Flaunt offers a mix of pop and urban music, along with celebrity fashion and lifestyle programming
The new position will see Wallace oversee new shows for inclusion in the channel’s autumn schedule. In addition to Wallace’s appointment, former Zenith Media managing partner Ian Lewis is to become director of broadcasting for Sky one with reponsibility for the channel’s scheduling and on-air branding. Chiara Cipriani, Sky Music’s current head of commercial and interactive, will replace Wallace as head of music channels.
Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com
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