FilmFour sets date for free switch

FilmFour will relaunch as a free service across Freeview, cable and satellite on Sunday, July 23.

The move - up until now the channel has been available on a subscription basis - will coincide with an overhaul of its on-screen graphics, logo and a subtle name change to 'Film4'. Advertising will also feature for the first time.

Launch night will begin with the FTA premiere of Oscar-winner Lost In Translation at 9pm, followed by homegrown gangster film Sexy Beast.

The new channel will air between 3pm and 3am, screening six films a day. Daytime and early evening movies will include classics such as Cleopatra, Oliver Twist and Chariots of Fire, while "big, broad appeal films" such as The Italian Job and Four Weddings and a Funeral will go out in the prime 9pm slot.

"Cooler Hollywood films" and independent cinema have been earmarked for 11pm, with titles including The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Trainspotting and The Football Factory. Late night will be home to international and arthouse films such as Internal Affairs and 8 Women.

At launch Film4 will be available via Sky (channel 315), Freeview (channel 31), NTL (channel 701/50) and Telewest (channel 444). A one hour timeshift channel will air on Sky and cable.

The existing FilmFour channel - and spinoff service FilmFour Weekly - will close on Wednesday, July 19.