Ten Network to replace OneHD……

Network Ten is poised to launch a new digital channel to replace the standard definition simulcast of One HD, Ten has conformed the new channel will consist of general entertainment. Ten’s head of programming David Mott has told The Australian that the new channel will not be treated as a dumping ground or ‘sub-channel’ of Ten’s programming and would be treated on equal par as the main channel.

Without revealing any of the content the channel will carry, Mott said that the new channel will avoid repeating shows which have debut on Ten. Recently the Nine Network’s general entertainment channel GO! has gone down the path of re-transmitting Nine’s original programming with repeats of “V” and classic episodes of Top Gear as well as the very successful The Big Bang Theory.

Mott said, “It will have equal weighting with Ten. In the digital environment, why wouldn’t you?” He makes a fair point with more and more Australian’s switching to digital television and the gradual phase out of the analogue signal starting this year in Mildura, Victoria. Australia’s television broadcasting will become completely digital by 2013, when the average viewer flicks through channels they place equal importance on digital channels as they do with main channels.

CEO of Network Ten Grant Blackley says that the new channel will not be launched until after June 30 this year, in the mean time all eyes will be on the ABC as it moves closer to launching its 24 hour news channel in the coming months. Construction is well underway at the ABC’s Ultimo studios in Sydney where the new news studio will take residence in the foyer of the building, it will feature street frontage enabling pedestrians to see how the news channel operates.

The Nine Network has also said it will launch a third channel this year with CEO David Gyngel saying back in December 2009 that it will be on air early in 2010. The format of the channel has already been decided but David Hurley from Nine has said the new channel will not be launched until after July this year, “server system logistics” were still being negotiated.

Additionally the Seven Network is planning a third channel to launch this year, the focus of the channel has not been decided yet and given the delay of 7TWO coming to air last year it isn’t expected that a new channel would launch until the end of 2010. With Seven launching 7TWO the network bucked the trend by commercial networks Ten and Nine by launching a channel to complement the main channel.

Just like in 2009, 2010 will be an exciting year for free TV with viewers having more to choose from, Ten’s new general entertainment channel should allow a platform for Ten to showcase a lot of shows the network has the rights too but has no place for them on the main channel.

Source: The Australian, What’s On The Tube