CBS channels eye TalkTalk TV success

Four UK pay channels that CBS Studios International and AMC Networks International jointly operate are launching on the TalkTalk TV service.

CBS Action, CBS Drama, CBS Reality+1 and Horror Channel have gone live on the platform, which claims to be the UK’s fastest growing IPTV service.

CBS-AMC channels are already distributed on BSkyB, Virgin, Freesat and Freeview following the launch of the JV in 2009, when the Eye Network’s international distribution arm partnered with Chello Zone UK.

Following AMC Networks’ acquisition of Chellomedia last year, Chello was rebranded AMC Networks International.

”2014 has been our best year to date, with over 10 million adults tuning into a CBS Channel each month,” said Tanya Gugenheim, chief business development officer at AMC Networks International referencing BARB/Techedge figures for May-June 2014.

“We will be able to connect with even more people by tapping into TalkTalk TV’s ever-growing and extremely diverse consumer base which proves a great fit with our channels.”

TalkTalk, meanwhile, yesterday expanded its carriage of premium sport and movie channels from Sky, as TBI reported.

“Over a million homes across Britain subscribe to the service and it’s fantastic to see that as we continue to grow, we’re attracting first class free-to-air channels, meaning we can offer customers even more of the best content without any additional cost,” said TalkTalk’s head of pay TV Henrik Karlberg of the CBS-AMC deal.