Sky Pulls Plug On The Amp In Favour Of Bliss

Satellite giant BSkyB is to replace rock and indie music channel The Amp with a female-orientated service entitled Bliss, following a “refocused music policy from Chart Show TV,” which operates the channel on Sky’s behalf.

According to a report in Broadcast magazine, the new channel will feature artists such as Coldplay, Elton John, Bryan Adams and Cher, with its output designed specifically to challenge Emap’s music channel, Magic.

Specialist shows are also expected to form part of the channel’s content, with themed programmes focusing on different styles of music, from power ballads to nostalgic trips through the 80s.

Chart Show TV was awarded the contract to operate Sky’s music channels in 2004, with the company taking control for the day-to-day running of Flaunt, The Amp and Scuzz. BSkyB retains control over advertising sales for the channels, however, and gained sales rights to Chart Show’s Chart Show TV, The Vault and B4 as part of the agreement (see Sky Hands Over Music Channels But Keeps Advertising Sales).

The decision to hand the running of the channels to Chart Show TV followed a review of their performance, in which it was understood Sky intended to put more pressure on rivals MTV and Emap (see BSkyB Reviewing Future Of Music Channels After Shake-Up).

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