LA Muscle TV to launch on Sky

Canis Media has announced the upcoming UK launch of new fitness station LA Muscle TV, which will be broadcast for free on Sky.

After starting off purely as an online channel at the end of 2008, LA Muscle TV has since gone on to secure 4.5 million viewers worldwide.

From July 27, the channel will broadcast pre-recorded health, fitness and nutrition programming for 15 hours a day.

All EPG slot sourcing, scheduling and technical setup will be handled by Canis Media ahead of the launch date.

Ed Hall, the company's chief executive, said: "It's very encouraging to see how the digital satellite platform is diversifying with new channel launches especially in the current economic climate.

"New broadcasters are still emerging, often broadcasters that were previously web-only. A linear digital TV channel is affordable for a much wider broadcast market."

LA Muscle TV worldwide production director Jon Lopera added: "We've had a phenomenal rise in viewership figures for LAMuscle.TV over the last few months and the world has had access to fantastic content being made by our own in-house production teams.

"This will be the first of its kind here in the UK and it makes complete sense to invest in satellite as the demand increases more and more each day. With the official viewership ratings coming from BARB after launch, we are set to be the UK's leading health, fitness and luxury lifestyle channel."