Canis Media has taken over the management of Film24, the free-to-air film channel on the Sky platform, after its owner went into liquidation.
Film24 had built a loyal brand with its mix of movies, documentaries, film enthusiast quizzes and programming and a range of series from the US. However, its most valuable asset may well be its EPG position. At 157 in the Entertainment section of the Sky Guide, surrounded by better-known brands such as Watch, Comedy Central and FX, it may be a viable option to sell the placing. A shortage of EPG capacity brought about by memory constraints in older set-top boxes means Sky will only put HD or 3D channels into its launch queue. The only other option is to buy an existing position.
“Film24 and its executive management fought extremely hard in today’s tough economic TV climate to build a reputable brand, achieve good audiences and occupy an excellent position on the Sky EPG. We are now able to try and secure a sustainable future for the channel or the EPG position,” said Canis Media CEO Ed Hall.
Canis said there were three options now open to it; simple outright sale of this premium EPG position on Sky; A rescue package for the channel or a joint venture with a new channel owner in the UK or overseas.
