AETN reaches for Sky to deliver HD channels to UK market

Left to right: AETN’s Steve Ronson and Sean Cohan; BSkyB’s Sophie Turner; and The History Channel’s Richard Mehlman

In a first outside the US, Crime & Investigation Network HD (CI HD) and The Biography Channel HD (BIO HD) are set to launch in the UK and Ireland from November 5.

The brands will be carried on Sky’s HD platform in both territories and will be operated by The History Channel UK, a joint venture between A&E Television Networks (AETN) and Sky.

As dedicated HD channels, both CI HD and BIO HD will offer separate schedules from the standard definition services, with around two-thirds of each channels’ programming being in native HD.

“We’re passionate about HD and the benefits it brings our subscribers, and we are delighted to be able to capitalise on the success of History HD on Sky with the launch of these two great channels,” said Richard Melman, acting managing director, The History Channel UK.

Sean Cohan, senior vice-president, international, AETN, added: “These launches are yet another milestone reached this year by our UK joint venture. We expect that CI HD and BIO HD will captivate viewers with great storytelling and a truly enhanced viewing experience.”

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