Blaze (British and Irish TV channel)
 Logo used since 2016 | |
| Country | United Kingdom Ireland |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 576i (16:9 SDTV) |
| Timeshift service | Blaze +1 |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | A&E Networks |
| Sister channels | List of Sky UK channels |
| History | |
| Launched | 20 September 2016 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 64 Channel 81 (+1) |
Blaze is a British English language free-to-air television channel owned by A&E Networks UK, a joint venture between A&E Networks and Sky Group. This channel allows UK A&E to use its programming for the complete "lifecycle".
A+E Networks Italy launched its Blaze on Sky Italy on March 22, 2017.[1] In Spain and Portugal, a version of Blaze channel was launched by AMC Networks International in joint-venture with A&E Networks to replace the A&E channel on 18 April 2018,[2] but closed and replaced with AMC Break on 19 April 2022.[3] The italian version of the channel was closed on 1 August 2023.[4]
Format and programming
The channels' programming is a best of A&E shows.[5] Blaze was the first channel launched in the UK by A&E Networks that did not borrow its name from one of the company's U.S. channels. The abbreviation "A&E" is commonly used to mean "Accident and Emergency unit" in the UK, so the company decided not to use that brand for the channel.[6]
Having originally only aired imported and rerun programming, Blaze commissioned its first original programme, Flipping Bangers, in 2017.[7] It premiered on 6 April 2018 as a part of the Car Night programming block.[8] A second season was later commissioned.
Staff
Elena Anniballi was appointed director of Blaze in April 2017.[9] In February 2019, A&E Networks appointed Dan Korn as head of Blaze.[6]
Programmes
- Initial programmes
- Exclusive A&E programming (April 2019—)
- Programmes from Sky History
- Britain's Greatest Obsessions[10][11] with Harry Hill,[12][13] Chris Packham[14] and Suggs.[15]
- Craig Charles: UFO Conspiracies[16][17]
- Programmes from other British broadcasters
- Britain's Most Historic Towns[18] (Channel 4)[19][20]
- Secrets of Great British Castles[21] (Channel 5)[22][23]
- Original programming:
- Flipping Bangers (6 April 2018—[8]) Just Might TV,[6] Car Night programming block,[8] two seasons[6]
- Spiky Goldhunters Pango Productions
- Outback Truckers (seventh season—) Prospero Productions[6]
TCC and Blaze+1
TCC was The Community Channel's licence bought by A&E Networks UK so that their channel Blaze would be listed higher up on the EPG and The Community Channel would end up lower down (under their new name Together TV). TCC and sister channel Blaze+1 were a couple of part-time services slots hoarded[24] by A&E Networks, which broadcast shows from Blaze for a couple of hours each night after the main channel had shut down. In May 2024, That’s Media acquired the TCC Broadcasting broadcast licence[25] and its EPG slot from A+E Networks UK, so that it could launch That’s Memories.
References
- ^ Clover, Julian (22 March 2017). "A+E's Blaze to launch on Sky Italia". Broadband TV News. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
- ^ Gonzalez, Juan Fernandez (13 April 2018). "AMC launches Blaze in Spain". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ "AMC Networks International lanza AMC Break y AMC Crime". mundoplus.tv (in Spanish). 2022-04-19. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
- ^ Redazione (2023-07-29). "Blaze TV chiude, dal 1° agosto il canale lascia Sky". TeleDigitale (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ a b c d Kanter, Jake (August 18, 2016). "A+E Networks is launching its first Freeview channel in the UK — but admits it's late to the party". Business Insider. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "A+E Networks Eyes Blaze Expansion As It Promotes UK Content Chief Dan Korn To Oversee Free-To-Air Brand". Deadline. 20 February 2019.
- ^ "Blaze lights first original". C21Media. 15 October 2017.
- ^ a b c "Three quarters of millennials don't know how to change a tyre or make simple repairs to their car". The Mirror. 6 April 2018.
- ^ "A+E UK rejigs programming teams; Job steps down". Realscreen. 11 April 2007.
- ^ "BLAZE :: Service Unavailable".
- ^ "Britain's Greatest Obsessions". Blaze TV. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Britain's Greatest Obsessions: Harry On Humour cast and crew credits". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "CPL Productions - Britain's Greatest Obsessions". Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Britain's Greatest Obsessions". Sky HISTORY TV channel. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Britain's Greatest Obsessions: Episode Guide". Sky HISTORY TV channel. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Craig Charles: UFO Conspiracies". Sky HISTORY TV channel. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Craig Charles: UFO Conspiracies". www.firecrackerfilms.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Britain's Most Historic Towns". Blaze TV. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ https://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-most-historic-towns [bare URL]
- ^ "BLAZE :: Service Unavailable".
- ^ "Secrets of Great British Castles". Blaze TV. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "BLAZE :: Service Unavailable".
- ^ "What to watch on BLAZE in May 2024". Blaze TV. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
- ^ "Freeview needs a tidy-up". 12 December 2022.
- ^ "New channel coming to all Freeview users". 12 June 2024.