I am new to the forum, so forgive me if this has already been discussed, but has anyone else seen this article?
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Turner Classic Movies to launch spin-off channel
29 November 2005
TCM2 will go live in Q3 next year
By Graham Hayday
Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is to expand its offering next year with
the introduction of a spin-off channel, TCM2.
It will go live in the third quarter of 2006 and is designed to
complement the main channel by concentrating on core library movies
such as Casablanca, Gone with the Wind, The Philadelphia Story and
White Heat. It will broadcast between 7pm and 3am.
TCM2 will also screen originally produced content including
interviews with British and American actors.
TCM hopes the new channel will allow it to explore further
sponsorship opportunities for its themed seasons and offer the main
channel's advertisers a greater variety of options, as well as
attracting new brands to both channels.
TCM UK - part of the Time Warner Company - is the first of the TCM
channels outside the US to launch a complementary broadcast outlet
in addition to the main channel.
Alan Musa, TCM VP and channel manager, said: "By launching TCM2, we
hope to be able to concentrate on showing the classic library
content to ensure that there is plenty of choice for our viewers. In
an increasingly fragmented marketplace viewers are looking for the
best content available and TCM is regarded as a trusted brand.
"It is essential that we are able to broadcast a wide and diverse
offering and having a second channel will allow us to do this as
well as introducing new viewers to the value of golden greats."
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I certainly hope this doesn't mean our original TCM, that we know and trust to provide us with the best classic films, will scale back on the classics and show modern films. It took my cable provider years to offer the original TCM, so the chances of them carrying this new version are close to zero. I'm very concerned now, because TCM is about the only channel I watch, but if they start showing modern films, I will not be watching them any longer.
