US broadcaster FOX is to launch a new entertainment channel in four months time, according to this week's Broadcast.
The network is said to be "finalising" plans for the station, which will be available in Sky Digital's basic package and located in the lower ranks of the 'entertainment' EPG section.
The new untitled channel will be in direct competition with Sky One, which comes from the same parent company as FOX, Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp.
FOX in the US broadcasts popular series such as Malcolm in the Middle, The Simpsons and Temptation Island, all of which are shown on Sky One in the UK. It is understood that FOX UK will not be able to air such series - new episodes, in any case - due to exclusivity contracts Sky One holds.
Instead, the programming lineup is likely to consist of shows from FOX's programme archive such as LA Law, The Wonder Years, Hill Street Blues and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as well as newer series unaired in the UK like American Idol 3 and Paradise Hotel.
The UK version of FOX will still have to compete alongside Sky One and terrestrial broadcasters in order to gain rights to FOX shows, with the highest bidder winning the contract.
Sources told the magazine that FOX has been trying to launch the channel for two years but has struggled to agree a carriage deal with Sky.
The network is said to be "finalising" plans for the station, which will be available in Sky Digital's basic package and located in the lower ranks of the 'entertainment' EPG section.
The new untitled channel will be in direct competition with Sky One, which comes from the same parent company as FOX, Rupert Murdoch's NewsCorp.
FOX in the US broadcasts popular series such as Malcolm in the Middle, The Simpsons and Temptation Island, all of which are shown on Sky One in the UK. It is understood that FOX UK will not be able to air such series - new episodes, in any case - due to exclusivity contracts Sky One holds.
Instead, the programming lineup is likely to consist of shows from FOX's programme archive such as LA Law, The Wonder Years, Hill Street Blues and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, as well as newer series unaired in the UK like American Idol 3 and Paradise Hotel.
The UK version of FOX will still have to compete alongside Sky One and terrestrial broadcasters in order to gain rights to FOX shows, with the highest bidder winning the contract.
Sources told the magazine that FOX has been trying to launch the channel for two years but has struggled to agree a carriage deal with Sky.
