'The Studio' closes down

In line with previous reports, The Studio has now stopped broadcasting.

The movie channel, a joint venture between Vivendi Universal and ntl, was only available on that cable operator's digital service and failed to gain the wider audience that carriage on another service such as Telewest digital cable or Sky would have brought.

Both companies involved in the joint-venture said in December 2002 that the channel was no longer financially viable. Only a few hours into 2003, the channel's broadcasts have been replaced with a closedown notice.