AMC Networks International UK

AMC Networks International UK (EMEA) (formerly AMC Networks International Zone (EMEA), Chello Zone, Zone Vision and Zone Media) is a London, UK-based television company, founded in 1991 by Chris Wronski and owned by AMC Networks International.

History

The company was founded to distribute television programmes in Eastern Europe, but now operates in 138 countries. They operate channels under 7 brands, albeit with some limited to specific countries, and provide 22 sound tracks across these.

Its English speaking-targeted channels show mainly US and Canadian imports as well as older BBC and ITV produced content; whereas its Central European stations show large quantities of recent British television. Original sound tracks are provided on most shows which are dubbed.

On 14 September 2009, it was revealed that the international arm of CBS, CBS Studios International, struck a joint venture deal with Chellomedia to launch six CBS-branded channels in the UK during 2009. The new channels would replace Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, plus timeshift services Zone Horror +1 and Zone Reality +1.[1][2] On 1 October 2009, it was announced that CBS Reality, CBS Reality +1, CBS Drama and CBS Action would launch on 16 November 2009 replacing Zone Reality, Zone Reality +1, Zone Romantica and Zone Thriller.[3]

On 5 April 2010, Zone Horror was rebranded as Horror Channel, following the rebrand of the portfolio's other three channels in November 2009.[4] On-air the channel name appears as Horror. The rebrand was produced by Chello Zone's in-house creative services team.[5]

On 1 August 2012 Chellomedia revealed that the European versions of the Chello Zone channels would be rebranded into CBS Reality, CBS Drama and CBS Action as well.[6]

On 28 October 2013, AMC Networks announced it would acquire Chellomedia (apart from its Benelux division) from Liberty Global, for around $1.04 billion.[7] This acquisition was completed 11 February 2014.

In April 2014 it was announced that AMC Networks has acquired Kinowelt TV.[8] A renaming of the channel is currently not planned.[9]

On 8 July 2014, AMC Networks renamed Chello Zone as AMC Networks International Zone (EMEA).[10][11][12]

Channels

Current
The CBS Reality logo

Former

Logos
  • Zonemedia old logo
  • Logo of Chello Zone until 8 July 2014
  • Logo of AMC Networks International

References
  1. "CBS FINALChello Zone partnership press release". Chello Zone. 14 September 2009. Archived from the original (DOC) on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2009.
  2. "CBS to launch UK channels with Chellomedia". Broadcastnow. 14 September 2009.
  3. "CBS channels to launch in UK". Broadcastnow. 1 October 2009.
  4. "Zone Horror rebrands as Horror Channel". Broadband TV News. 31 March 2010.
  5. "UK's Zone Horror Reverting to Its Horror Channel Name". Dread Central. 31 March 2010.
  6. "CBS and Chellomedia take entertainment across EMEA". Broadband TV News. 1 August 2012.
  7. Chatterjee, Soham (28 October 2013). "AMC to buy most of Liberty Global's international content unit". Reuters. Retrieved 28 October 2013.
  8. Quotenmeter.de: EILMELDUNG AMC/Sundance Channel expandiert nach Deutschland, 24. April 2014
  9. DWDL.de: US-Sender AMC kommt vorerst nicht nach Deutschland, 15. Oktober 2014
  10. Deadline.com: Chellomedia Rebranded As AMC Networks International
  11. BroadbandTVNews.com: Chellomedia to become AMC Networks International
  12. AMC Networks Press Release: AMC Networks Re-Brands Chellomedia to "AMC Networks International"
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