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Blaze (TV channel)

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Not to be confused with TheBlaze.
Blaze
Ownership
OwnerA&E Networks UK
(A&E Networks/Sky plc)
Links
Websitewww.blaze.tv

Blaze is a British television channel owned by A&E Networks UK, a joint venture between A&E Networks and Sky plc. The channel was originally set up to allow A&E Networks UK to use its programming for the complete "lifecycle".[1]

In the UK

In 2013, A&E Networks UK hired Heather Jones as general manager. Jones pushed having a free-to-air channel starting in her interview. Other US competitors have launched free-to-air channels in the UK with Turner Broadcasting's TruTV in August 2014, Viacom's Spike in April 2015 and Fox's YourTV on Freeview in October 2015.[1] A&E Networks announced a free-to-air factual entertainment channel for the UK in the third quarter of the year.[2] The channel launched on 20 September 2016, and is the first free-to-air channel launched by A&E Networks UK[3] on Sky and Freeview.[4]

The channels' programming is a best of A&E shows.[1] Some of initial programs were Pawn Stars, Mountain Men and American Restoration.[1]

Blaze was the first channel launched in the UK by A&E Networks that didn't borrow its name from one of the company's U.S. channels. The abbreviation "A&E" is commonly interpreted as emergency department in the UK, so the company decided not to use that brand for the channel.[5]

Having initially only aired imported and rerun programming, Blaze commissioned its first original programme, Flipping Bangers, in 2017.[6] It premiered on 6 April 2018.[7] A second season was later commissioned.

Blaze was given a channel director in April 2017 with the appointment of Elena Anniballi.[8] In February 2019, A&E Networks appointed Dan Korn as head of Blaze.[5]

In other areas

By March 22, 2017, A+E Networks Italy was scheduled to launch its Blaze in 2017 on Sky Italy.[9]

In Spain, Blaze channel replaced A&E channel on 18 April 2018.[10] The Spanish version is operated by the History Channel Iberia joint venture.

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Clover, Julian (May 18, 2016). "A+E Networks to launch Freeview channel". Broadband TV News. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  3. ^ Wightman, Catriona (18 August 2016). "Freeview is getting a brand new TV channel called BLAZE and it sounds fiery". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  4. ^ Clover, Julian (20 September 2016). "Blaze set for launch today". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b "A+E Networks Eyes Blaze Expansion As It Promotes UK Content Chief Dan Korn To Oversee Free-To-Air Brand". Deadline. 20 February 2019.
  6. ^ "Blaze lights first original". C21Media. 15 October 2017.
  7. ^ "Three quarters of millennials don't know how to change a tyre or make simple repairs to their car". The Mirror. 6 April 2018.
  8. ^ "A+E UK rejigs programming teams; Job steps down". Realscreen. 11 April 2007.
  9. ^ Clover, Julian (22 March 2017). "A+E's Blaze to launch on Sky Italia". Broadband TV News. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  10. ^ Gonzalez, Juan Fernandez (13 April 2018). "AMC launches Blaze in Spain". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
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