TCM Movies

Last updated

TCM Movies
TCM Movies.png
Broadcast area United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta and Gibraltar
HeadquartersTurner House,
Great Marlborough Street,
London, United Kingdom
Programming
Picture format 16:9 576i SDTV
Timeshift serviceTurner Classic Movies 2 (2006–2013)
TCM Movies +1 (2013–2023)
Ownership
Owner Warner Bros. Discovery International
Sister channels Boomerang
Cartoon Network
Cartoonito
CNN International
History
Launched17 September 1993;30 years ago (1993-09-17) (as TNT)
15 October 1999;24 years ago (1999-10-15) (as Turner Classic Movies/TCM Movies)
Closed1 July 2000;24 years ago (2000-07-01) (as TNT)
7 July 2023;13 months ago (2023-07-07) (as Turner Classic Movies/TCM Movies)
Replaced by Sky Documentaries
Former namesTNT (1993–1999)
Turner Classic Movies (1999–2019)
Links
Website www.tcmuk.tv

TCM Movies (formerly TNT and Turner Classic Movies) was a British pay television channel, focussing mostly on classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and Warner Bros. film libraries, which included many MGM titles, along with movie-related profiles and some classic American television series.

Contents

History

TNT Classic Movies (1993-1999)

TNT logo Tnt tv logo old.png
TNT logo

In March 1993, Turner Broadcasting System Europe announced the launch of Cartoon Network and TNT Classic Movies. [1] On 17 September 1993, TNT Classic Movies launched on 17 September 1993 through the Astra 1C satellite alongside Cartoon Network Europe, of which it timeshared with; airing from 7:00pm-5:00am. [2] The network was also available with Cartoon Network Europe in CEE, MENA and Nordic territories in five additional languages. The network broadcast movies from the Turner Entertainment library including the pre-1986 MGM and pre-1949 Warner Bros. catalogues. The first film to be shown on the network was the 1966 film Spinout starring Elvis Presley.

In 1996, the combined channel slot was available in over 31 million homes in over 33 territories. [3] In August, the channel's broadcast hours were slightly reduced to start at 9:00pm [4] , while in December a standalone 24-hour TNT Classic Movies channel was launched for digital cable providers in addition to the standalone Cartoon Network Europe channel. In the UK, this version of the network was first made available in CableTel beginning in 1997. [5]

Relaunch as General Entertainment network (1999-2000)

On October 15, 1999, Cartoon Network Europe separated its feed to focus only on the United Kingdom and Ireland markets. It became a paid network encrypted on Astra 1C using VideoCrypt. [6] This separation was made to allow Turner Classic Movies to replace TNT in all territories except for analogue satellite and cable in the UK and Ireland, where a standalone TNT channel replaced it.

The new version of TNT focused on general entertainment, with Fridays featuring a dedicated strand of WCW content, showcasing new episodes of WCW Monday Nitro (which TNT had been airing since 1996) and WCW Thunder . The new version of TNT broadcast daily from 9:00pm-1:00am. [7]

In April 2000, Turner announced that TNT would cease operations on 30 June. The company citified a "oversaturated market" as the reason for its closure. [8] On 1 July, TCM took over its former space on Analogue satellite and some cable providers, and removed entirely on those that already broadcast TCM. [9]

Turner Classic Movies (1999-2023)

On 15 October 1999, Turner Classic Movies launched on Sky Digital and NTL cable platforms. [10] The first film to broadcast on the network was the 1946 movie The Big Sleep . While Cartoon Network had already transitioned into a pay network, TCM remained free-to-air.

For a time after TNT's closure, TCM continued TNT's weekly strand of WCW programming on Fridays under a separate feed. Afterwards, WCW programming moved to Bravo.

On 30 June 2001, Cartoon Network and TCM ceased operations on analogue satellite as part of Sky's analogue shutdown. [11]

In January 2004, TCM became encrypted on Sky Digital. [12]

In 2009, Turner Classic Movies received a graphical makeover and a new logo in an attempt to attract a younger audience. With the makeover several new films were added to the channel's catalogue. [13] A high definition version of the channel launched on 4 September 2012, [14] at the same time the standard definition version began broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen, whereas Turner Classic Movies 2 continued to be broadcast in 4:3.

On 2 March 2009, Turner Classic Movies UK sold the Sky EPG slot, when Travel Channel 2 closed.

A one-hour timeshift, Turner Classic Movies +1, launched on 13 August 2013, replacing Turner Classic Movies 2. [15]

On 25 July 2019, the HD channel closed on Sky. [16]

Turner Classic Movies was renamed TCM Movies on 1 August 2019.

The channel closed on 7 July 2023, and some of the channel's former film programming was moved to sister channel Quest. [17] The last movie shown on the channel was Murder Most Foul and the last content shown on the channel before the closedown was a Close Up short dedicated to Arnold Schwarzenegger. [18] [ unreliable source? ] [19]

Turner Classic Movies 2

Turner Classic Movies 2 (TCM2) was a spin-off of the original channel and broadcast on Sky channel 318. The channel launched alongside Cartoon Network Too on 24 April 2006. It also showed popular films from the Turner Entertainment library (which includes MGM and Warner Bros. films).

Films were shown from 7:00PM to 3:00AM (later changed to 8:00PM to 4:00AM on 25 March 2010) (interspersed with various original short films about the films) from Monday-Sunday, and the following week included a new line-up. This allowed the viewer to "catch-up on the big films", thus allowing the chance to see the preferred film on any day of the week. The channel timeshared with Cartoonito (originally the original version of Cartoon Network Too from 24 April 2006 until 23 May 2007), another UK-only spin-off channel. The channel began airing Adult Swim at 10pm every Wednesday as of 4 January 2012, before moving to Friday later in April 2012. [20]

Closure

For unknown reasons, Turner Classic Movies 2 closed at 4:00AM on 12 August 2013 with Turner Classic Movies +1 launching the next day, 13 August 2013. [15]

Other programming

Television series

Adult Swim

As Adult Swim shows cannot be shown on the UK version of Cartoon Network (as Ofcom regulated children's channels are not allowed to broadcast adult content), they were shown on Turner Classic Movies 2 instead. They typically started at 1:15 AM on Saturday and included shows such as: [21]

Wrestling

World Championship Wrestling launched on TNT (UK) in April 1996 with WCW Monday Nitro. On 9 October 1998 WCW Thunder was added. Both aired in a 9pm to 12.30am (variant) block starting with the debut of Thunder. When TNT (UK) was closed down, WCW programming was briefly moved over to Turner Classic Movies and then Bravo. Trailers aired on Turner Classic Movies informing viewers of the change.

WCW Nitro

(WCW Nitro then changed to Bravo in 2000, on Thursday Nights - 9pm - 11pm, until March 2001, when WCW was purchased by the World Wrestling Federation).

WCW Thunder

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TNT (American TV network)</span> American pay television channel

TNT is an American basic cable television channel owned by the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks unit of Warner Bros. Discovery that launched on October 3, 1988. TNT's original purpose was to air classic films and television series to which Turner Broadcasting maintained spillover rights through its sister station TBS. Since June 2001, the network has shifted its focus to dramatic television series and feature films, along with some sporting events, as TBS shifted its focus to comedic programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turner Broadcasting System</span> American media conglomerate (1965–2019)

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. was an American television and media conglomerate founded by Ted Turner in 1965. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it merged with Time Warner on October 10, 1996. As of April 2022, all of its assets are now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The headquarters of Turner's properties are largely located at the CNN Center in Downtown Atlanta, and the Turner Broadcasting campus off Techwood Drive in Midtown Atlanta, which also houses Techwood Studios. Some of their operations are housed within WBD's corporate and global headquarters inside 30 Hudson Yards in Manhattan's West Side district, and at 230 Park Avenue South in Midtown Manhattan, both in New York City, respectively.

Turner Entertainment Company is an American multimedia company founded by Ted Turner on August 2, 1986. Purchased by Time Warner Entertainment on October 10, 1996, as part of its acquisition of Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), the company was largely responsible for overseeing the TBS library for worldwide distribution. In recent years, this role has largely been limited to being the copyright holder, as it has become an in-name-only subsidiary of Warner Bros., which currently administers their library.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Film4</span> British free-to-air network devoted to broadcasting films

Film4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned by Channel Four Television Corporation launched on 1 November 1998, devoted to broadcasting films. While its standard-definition channel is available on Freeview and Freesat platforms, its high-definition variant is offered only as a pay television service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turner Classic Movies</span> American classic movie-oriented television channel

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie-oriented pay-TV network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasting campus in the Midtown business district of Atlanta, Georgia.

Warner Bros. DiscoveryEurope, Middle East&Africa(EMEA) is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery. The division is responsible for managing the collection of their cable and satellite networks around the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartoon Network (British and Irish TV channel)</span> Pay television channel

Cartoon Network is a British pay television channel aimed at children which airs animated programming targeting children and young aged 6 to 12. It is run by Warner Bros. Discovery under its EMEA division. The channel primarily airs animated programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boomerang (British and Irish TV channel)</span> British television channel

Boomerang is a 24-hour British pay television channel which primarily features classic and modern animated series from Hanna-Barbera and Warner Bros. Animation. The channel launched on 27 May 2000 as a spin-off of Cartoon Network and localisation of the original American network It is run by Warner Bros. Discovery under its EMEA division.

Cartoon Network Too was a British television channel that was owned by Turner Broadcasting. CN Too was the sister station of Cartoon Network, and it often aired programmes a while after they are shown on the main Cartoon Network. Cartoon Network Too was shut down on 1 April 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartoon Network (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)</span> Australian and New Zealand television channel

Cartoon Network Australia & New Zealand is an Australian pay television channel launched on October 3, 1995 and owned by Warner Bros. Discovery Asia-Pacific. It primarily shows animated programming.

Cartoonito is a British pay television channel which targets children between the ages of 3 and 6. It is run by Warner Bros. Discovery under its International division. Unlike Cartoon Network and Boomerang, Cartoonito doesn't have a +1 or an HD simulcast in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turner Classic Movies (Asian TV channel)</span> Asian TV channel

Turner Classic Movies was an Asian digital classic film channel featuring commercial-free classic movies, mostly from the Turner Entertainment and Warner Bros. film libraries, which include many MGM titles. It was the Asian version of the US Turner Classic Movies and aired in the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Middle East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartoon Network (Asian TV channel)</span> Pan-Asian pay television channel, targeted at children

Cartoon Network is a pan-Asian television channel that primarily broadcasts animated series. Operated by Warner Bros. Discovery under its International division, the channel is broadcast from its headquarters in Singapore and Jakarta, Indonesia to audiences in its country of location, as well as to Hong Kong and several areas in the Asian continent. It was launched on 6 October 1994 on the namesake television channel in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WarnerTV Film</span> Television channel

WarnerTV Film, formerly Turner Classic Movies (TCM) and TNT Film, is a German pay television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery International. The channel broadcasts movies both in their original language and dubbed into German.

Turner Classic Movies was a television channel broadcasting "classic" films from the 1930s to the 1990s to Denmark, Finland, Flanders, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. The channel used English audio with optional subtitles in Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish. The channel was commercial-free and films were not interrupted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartoon Network (Middle Eastern and African TV channel)</span> Childrens TV channel

Cartoon Network is one of two digital children's television channels that air animated series: Cartoon Network MENA, which serves the Middle East and North Africa division along with Greece and Cyprus; and Cartoon Network Africa, which exclusively serves Sub-Saharan Africa. Both feeds are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery under its International division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cartoon Network (Portuguese TV channel)</span> Portuguese feed of Cartoon Network

Cartoon Network Portugal, commonly abbreviated as CN, is a Portuguese digital cable and satellite television channel launched on 3 December and is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery under its based of the U.S. channel of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TNT Africa</span> Television channel

TNT is a pay television channel focused on movies. The network is broadcast in Africa under the TNT name, as well as in the Arab world as TCM MENA; the latter features its own schedule and optional Arabic subtitles.

This is a timeline of UK children's programming on non-BBC and ITV channels.

References

  1. "Turner Info - Press Office". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  2. Rosenbaum, Martin (28 July 1993). "Media: American invaders are targeting your kids: Children's rights and non-stop cartoons will do battle as US cable channels vie for British viewers". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  3. "Turner Info - Press Office". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  4. "Timeline: Turner Broadcasting System Europe LTD". Turner Broadcasting System Europe. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
  5. "Turner Info - Press Office". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  6. "Technical Changes To Cartoon Network and TNT Classic Movies (Archived by WayBack Machine: 27 Nov 1999)". Cartoon Network UK Website. Turner Broadcasting System Europe. Archived from the original on 26 August 2001. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  7. "Turner Info - Press Office". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
  8. "Turner axes TNT to focus on its classic movie channel TCM".
  9. "Timeline: Turner Broadcasting System Europe LTD". Turner Info. Archived from the original on 6 October 2007. Retrieved 21 August 2006.
  10. "Classic Film Channel Launches as TNT Repositions - the Media Leader". 15 October 1999.
  11. "TCM closedown". Archived from the original on 27 November 2011.
  12. "TCM encrypts on satellite". Digital Spy. 6 January 2004.
  13. "Turner Classic Movies unveils ambitious plans to win younger film fan demographic". Turner Media Innovations. 9 June 2009. Archived from the original on 30 November 2010.
  14. "TCM Movies channel launching in HD on Sky". Digital Spy. 31 August 2012.
  15. 1 2 "System Updates". Overnights.tv. 22 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2016. TCM2 will cease broadcasting at the end of the broadcast day on 12th August, 2013. TCM +1 will be BARB reported from 13th August, 2013.
  16. "TCM HD service to end on Sky". RXTV LOG. 19 July 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019.
  17. "TCM's UK Channel to Be Shut Down in July". The Wrap. 24 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  18. TCM UK Final Closedown 7th July 2023 R.I.P 1993-2023 , retrieved 7 July 2023
  19. "Why is TCM closing down? Popular Sky and Virgin Media film channel shuts down". Yahoo News. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  20. What's on [ unreliable source? ]
  21. "Listings from TCM and TCM2". TCM. Retrieved 25 July 2013.