View Full Version : TV New Foxtel Channel
magic_johnson!
27 Oct 2008, 15:31
111 hits
starts broadcasting 6:30 on saturday on channel 111
shocking name and logo, but features some good shows such as:
Comedy
3rd Rock from the Sun (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3rd_Rock_from_the_Sun)
That 70's Show (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_70%27s_Show)
Two and a Half Men (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_and_a_Half_Men)
ALF (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF)
Dharma & Greg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_%26_Greg)
The Drew Carey Show (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Drew_Carey_Show)
Friends (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends)
The King of Queens (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King_of_Queens)
Malcolm in the Middle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_in_the_Middle)
Murphy Brown (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy_Brown)
Suddenly Susan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suddenly_Susan)
Will & Grace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_%26_Grace)
Veronica's Closet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica%27s_Closet)
Drama
24 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_(TV_Series))
Alias (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alias)
Ally McBeal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ally_McBeal)
Baywatch (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baywatch)
ER (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ER_(TV_series))
Lost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_(TV_series))
Northern Exposure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Exposure)
Walker Texas Ranger (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walker_Texas_Ranger)
Without a Trace (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Without_a_Trace)
The Wonder Years (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wonder_Years)
manureid
27 Oct 2008, 15:35
How much more will we be paying to get this, and what package is it in?
magic_johnson!
27 Oct 2008, 15:41
pretty sure its on my "get started" as on the foxtel website it shows a spot saying "new program coming in november" there, so that means it is on every package
magic_johnson!
27 Oct 2008, 15:44
there is also another two new channels coming called BBC knowledge (a doco channel) and cbeebies (<6yo kids channel)
DonMania#5
27 Oct 2008, 16:37
Saw it the other day, thought it was going to be a music channel.
justthedukes
27 Oct 2008, 16:59
Are the shows listed, the only shows that they are broadcasting? If so then I am a bit dissapointed. Was hoping Seinfeld would change to it, and we would see a lot more of it. Might start watching Lost though and see what all the fuss is about.
Sounds like a waste of shows that are already all over TV (the comedies especially) being flogged more.
Great.
Byron_Clanger
27 Oct 2008, 17:25
all shows poached from fox8, comedy channel and arena, i wonder what theyll replace those shows with
all shows poached from fox8, comedy channel and arena, i wonder what theyll replace those shows with
I'm worried they wont, and it's just a combined channel from those sources sharing rights. :o :thumbsd:
Foxtel to launch Channel 111 in pre-emptive strike
Michael Bodey | October 20, 2008
FOXTEL will launch another library entertainment channel in a pre-emptive strike against the coming free-to-air TV multi-channels.
The move, however, will be a competitive blow to one of its own.
On November 1, the Foxtel Owned and Operated group will switch on the new subscription TV channel, 111 HITS, pitched squarely at the lucrative advertiser-friendly 25-54 demographic.
It will program US hits primarily from the Warner Bros, Disney and 20th Century Fox studios.
These will include Friends, Will & Grace, Ally McBeal, The Wonder Years, That 70s Show, ER, Murphy Brown, Alf, Lost, 24 and Baywatch.
The channel further defines the recent demographic changes to a number of Foxtel's owned and operated channels, such as FOX8, W, Arena and FOX Classics.
It also pre-empts any "catalogue" programming the three commercial free-to-air networks might have planned for their coming standard definition digital channels.
The station's position on the subscription TV program guide, 111, lands it among general entertainment of Fox8 (108), the Seven (107) and Ten (110) networks.
"Collectively, our ambition is to take audience away from the free-to-airs," Foxtel executive director of television and marketing Brian Walsh said.
"If anything, this will take audiences away from the three commercials."
But it also competes directly with subscription TV channel TV1, jointly owned by Hollywood's Universal, Sony and Paramount studios.
111 HITS is believed to have been developed under the "TV Land" title, a similarly themed catalogue channel on US pay-TV owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which owns the Paramount studio.
Mr Walsh played down any suggestion that the creation of 111 Hits was a sleight against TV1.
"We think there's a gap in the market for a contemporary hits channel," he said.
"TV1 has done a terrific job over the years but they've gone more contemporary with their own commissioned content."
The Warner Bros studio had been assessing the merit of establishing its own channels in Australia, as it had done successfully in parts of Asia.
This new channel came from those discussions, Mr Walsh said.
"They agreed the best use of their products was to spread it across demographics and channels on our platform rather than aggregate them on their own," he said.
The basis of 111 HITS' programming will be the Warner library, Hollywood's biggest.
Nevertheless, Warner programs that fit other demographics will remain on other channels.
For instance, Gossip Girl will stay on youth-skewing FOX8, The Closer and Cold Case on female-skewing W and Curb Your Enthusiasm on the Comedy channel.
Mr Walsh said one of 111 HITS' major strengths against the free-to-airs was assured programming.
"It will be great to have a channel that shows programs consistently and reliably," he said.
"We promise a dedicated schedule that won't change."
For instance, the schedule from 6.30pm each weeknight begins with Murphy Brown, The King of Queens, That 70s Show, Dharma & Greg, Friends and Will & Grace.
And Nine's major US hit this year, Two and a Half Men, will screen five nights a week (at the same time) in 2009.
Mr Walsh said last week's MIPCOM TV fair in Cannes delivered some strong format buys for his platform.
"For us, it was a very strong market," he said.
Among Foxtel's purchases were the self-explanatory program from the creators of Ice Road Truckers, America's Toughest Jobs; talent show format, The Ultimate School Musical; and a new weekly game show franchise that Mr Walsh described as "The Bourne Identity meets 24", The Phone.
"There are still strong formats out there -- you just have to dig around," he said.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24520348-7582,00.html
EDIT: The website is up. http://www.111hits.com.au/
damochandler
27 Oct 2008, 17:51
i wish they put on some other old school programs. nash bridges. hanging with mr cooper. plenty of others as well
Benno_900
27 Oct 2008, 18:33
Almost all of those shows are/were on other Foxtel channels, meh.
Crosby87
27 Oct 2008, 18:50
All this really means is that the other networks (Arena, Fox8 et al) are cutting the fat most likely to make way for more bullshit reality shows like Top Model, Real Housewives of whatever Country etc. etc.
So thus, with very little new content, it's nothing to get excited about.
Mr_Smooth
27 Oct 2008, 19:07
when are they going to give the aussie public what they want
a dedicated game show channel, feautring all the classic game shows we grew up with!!*
* the following is unfortunately only part piss take... :p
TelkoTheGreat
27 Oct 2008, 19:55
no full house, step by step, family matters or dinosaurs?
fairdinkum
27 Oct 2008, 19:59
Wow. More crap which has already been repeated ad nauseum and, in most cases, wasn't funny/entertaining upon first airing.
Really, what an incredibly dull and boring nation we must be that Foxtel would even consider putting together a channel like this - let alone actually going through with it.
:thumbsd:
fairdinkum
27 Oct 2008, 20:00
no full house, step by step, family matters or dinosaurs?
Quality. :thumbsu:
Macca19
27 Oct 2008, 20:01
A great big bucketload of meh for me. 111 - Done to Death would have been a more appropriate name.
Quite a few of those shows are already shown upwards of 5 (and in the case of Friends about 10) times a week on Fox as it is, not to mention also on FTA. I reckon including Fox and FTA, there must be something like 25 episodes of Friends on a week.
The only show in that bunch that interests me is ALF, which I havent seen since I was about 11.
no full house, step by step, family matters or dinosaurs?
How about Different Strokes,Charles in Charge,Empty Nest,Leave It To Beaver and Sledge Hammer ?
We never see those shows on Foxtel.
Cousin Jed
27 Oct 2008, 22:12
when are they going to give the aussie public what they want
a dedicated game show channel, feautring all the classic game shows we grew up with!!*
* the following is unfortunately only part piss take... :p
Exactly my friend - exactly.
If Its a Knockout isn't going to be on this channel whats the point.
The major problem I have with this channel apart fromt he fact it is repeating crap I already don't want to watch is the fact that I lose my dedicated channel to go to when I start to pick something starting with a 1 and then realise I don't actually want to.
It will actually go to a real channel now.
year of the roo
27 Oct 2008, 22:23
Another in the 'why bother' camp. When is this useless company going to get real? The only reason anyone bothers with Foxtel is because FTA is a f*cking disgrace. Torrents just keep making more and more sense.
magic_johnson!
28 Oct 2008, 11:58
A great big bucketload of meh for me. 111 - Done to Death would have been a more appropriate name.
Quite a few of those shows are already shown upwards of 5 (and in the case of Friends about 10) times a week on Fox as it is, not to mention also on FTA. I reckon including Fox and FTA, there must be something like 25 episodes of Friends on a week.
The only show in that bunch that interests me is ALF, which I havent seen since I was about 11.
yer and malcolm in the middle is on 2-4 times/weeknight and has a marathon on every second weekend
not complainin though, love that show :D
Myself and my fiance recently gave in and got foxtel. Now we have a little one we are spending much more time at home and cant get to the cinema's or go out as much. And seeing as Free to Air is just terrible we grabbed foxtel and are going with the platinum package.
So far its great for sport (EPL and Serie A :) not to mention the cricket) and she loves the gossip channels like E but geez there is a lot of trash and filler on it.
We flick on things like The Simpsons (which we love) and The Office but the movies and most of the channels are pretty poor. In the last month Ive watched 3 movies Apocalypto, The Simpsons movie and Equilibrium, nothing else really appealed to me.
This new channel just sounds like TV1 rebadged with a couple of 90's sitcoms thrown in for good measure. Who honestly needs to see Friends again?? It wasnt that good the first time round.
Benno_900
28 Oct 2008, 13:53
Another in the 'why bother' camp. When is this useless company going to get real? The only reason anyone bothers with Foxtel is because FTA is a f*cking disgrace. Torrents just keep making more and more sense.
No, the only reason is sport.
OzBomber
28 Oct 2008, 17:19
Saw it the other day, thought it was going to be a music channel.
I gotta admit I thought exactly the same thing until I went to the channel today. All Fox need now is add Fox Cricket and I'll be very happy.
Remeber Alf?
He's back, in FOX form!
justthedukes
28 Oct 2008, 18:49
Remeber Alf?
He's back, in FOX form!
ahahahaha
magic_johnson!
28 Oct 2008, 20:20
I gotta admit I thought exactly the same thing until I went to the channel today. All Fox need now is add Fox Cricket and I'll be very happy.
and fox footy!
i miss watching footy replays all through the summer :(
carntheroos4eva
28 Oct 2008, 20:25
I was flicking through all the channels on Austar and couldn't find the new channel. Until I read about when it was going to be put on :o Embarrassing yes....
I just wish that they bring back fox footy.
year of the roo
28 Oct 2008, 21:50
No, the only reason is sport.
Yep and how the EPL, rugby league, domestic cricket, A-League, basketball and international cricket aren't on FTA perhaps?
Not sure why you said 'no' disagreeing with me and then went on to prove my point.
Benno_900
28 Oct 2008, 23:00
Sorry, you're too deep for me, your highness.
I meant I agreed with you, so no, yes, I meant yes, "yes, the only reason is sport".
Admiral Afterworld
28 Oct 2008, 23:46
If Foxtel wants to get people other than sport fans to sign up they need to work on getting first rights to new American shows. They've done this with shows like Dexter and Deadwood but Showcase seems to be the only channel that is bothing to put money into it. The rest just seem content to get the leftovers and air repeats of stuff that is on FTA first.
Showing stuff that is ancient or airs first on FTA isn't going to do a whole lot. But hey I guess they're happy with what the current situation gives them and in truth with the ever growing popularity of torrents they might of decided it's not worth the effort.
magic_johnson!
29 Oct 2008, 17:41
I was flicking through all the channels on Austar and couldn't find the new channel. Until I read about when it was going to be put on :o Embarrassing yes....
I just wish that they bring back fox footy.
haha on foxtel its already there showing previews on 111 :p
What is the point of this channel? All these shows except one or two were on Arena, Fox 8 and Fox Classics. Is Fox8 trying to become a more new content channel with reality crap rather than repeats of old seasons (except simpsons, family guy, king of the hill, futurama and american dad), same as Arena. Fox Classics will hopefully air more shows that really are classics and not just big hit cookie cutter sitcoms, that crap can piss off to 111.
Like Cap'n said they need to promote channels that show exclusive stuff. Showcase is unfortunately part of their movies packages though. Another problem with Foxtel though is that despite getting good shows earlier than FTA like Dexter, they can't stop FTA from eventually picking them up. While FTA stop Foxtel from showing shows they pick up for a certain period of time.
camsmith
30 Oct 2008, 11:04
I thought there wasn't room for another channel? Isn't that why they got rid of History+2
How about a ESPN Classic channel and AFL channel.
As for 111, boring shows that are already on Foxtel, wont make any difference to viewing habits of most foxtel users (in relation to FTA/Pay TV)
GreekLunatic
30 Oct 2008, 16:24
I wouldnt mind seeing shows like Home sweet Home and Acropolis now on that channel. Yeah family Matters was good bring back Urkle.
de_LICA_ish18
30 Oct 2008, 20:08
How about Different Strokes,Charles in Charge,Empty Nest,Leave It To Beaver and Sledge Hammer ?
We never see those shows on Foxtel.
Yeah and were's Mr Belvedere, Blossom and Webster.
The only one I'm excited about is The Wonder Years.
Father Jack
31 Oct 2008, 22:06
It is all purely academic for me as that new channel won't be on Austar. Luckily I don't care. I still get to watch John Adams and Primeval.
rupert pupkin 87
1 Nov 2008, 00:47
I gotta admit I thought exactly the same thing until I went to the channel today. All Fox need now is add Fox Cricket and I'll be very happy.
OMG Sean that would be the greatest thing ever. Like an Adults only channel you won't feel guilty for watching:thumbsu::thumbsu::D
as for 111 looks like utter rubbish the only show I like is Lost which I have on DVD anyway. Will probably have a look at ALF just to see why I found it funny when I was five ie it's funny or I just laughed at the puppet
Monkster
1 Nov 2008, 15:50
To everyone complaining that this show isn't on or that show, you do realise that the channel is owned by Warner Brothers (not Foxtel) and that most of the shows you guys have listed aren't WB shows (Dinosaurs for example is a Disney show).
I forgot how good Alf was. :thumbsu::D
Almost all of those shows are/were on other Foxtel channels, meh.
Exactly. It's kinda like another TV1. Pretty meh if you ask me.