ABC1 confirms Sky launch details

Published Friday, Aug 26 2005, 11:50 BST | By Darren Shelley

Disney-owned entertainment channel ABC1 is to make its official launch on Sky next week after signing a multi-year agreement with BSkyB.

ABC1 - which has been carrying out full audio and picture testing for several days - will be available in the entertainment section on EPG number 281 from Tuesday (August 30th).

In addition to this carriage deal, ABC1 will mark its one year anniversary by announcing that it will be extending its broadcast hours. From Monday, September 26th, the channel will increase its current 6am-6pm broadcast hours and transmit round-the-clock on Sky, Telewest Broadband and ntl digital TV services.

John Hardie, Managing Director of Walt Disney TV in Europe, the Middle East and Africa said: “The success of abc1 has shown that there is a real and continuing appetite for high quality, US shows that are intelligent and still appealing to a very broad audience. The new deal with Sky will get abc1 into far more homes which is great news.???

Nicola Bamford, Director of Channels and Operations at Sky, added: “Sky is committed to giving its customers the widest range of quality entertainment programming, so we are pleased to announce this new deal with abc1. We look forward to welcoming the channel to the Sky platform and to the extension of its broadcast hours for satellite and cable viewers next month.???

The channel’s success has largely been put down to its portfolio of smartly written but accessible US hit shows. September will see the UK premiere of Kevin Hill, a slick US lawyer series which will launch at 9pm on Monday, September 26th. Other hit US series that will broadcast in primetime include season two of Sports Night, penned by US TV supremo Aaron Sorkin; a new series of Less than Perfect starring Eric Roberts and the People’s Choice nominated show Hope & Faith. ABC1 will also premiere season three of the popular comedy 8 Simple Rules and early next year will see the launch of season two of the medical comedy Scrubs - featuring the Golden Globe nominated actor Zach Braff.