Friendly TV

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Friendly TV

Launched	2003
Owned by	Hi2 Ltd
Audience share	N/A (Jan '06, [1])

Friendly TV was a British television station, owned by Hi2 Ltd. Much of the channels output is made up of interactive programmes and games which allow the viewer to phone in or send an SMS message to take part in the programme.

When it launched in 2003, it was slated mainly by the Internet and got a mention in the press for its low quality, e.g. most of the programming was devoted to an internet-based game called Brainbox, or a lengthy computer games show called GamerWeb, when there were supposed to be proper or other programmes, according to the station's EPG.

In May 2003, a blooper caused the channel to broadcast potentially libellous comments about Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. Hosts Paul Lavers and Karen Witchalls asked viewers to send text messages to the channel about Kidman, then paused for a commercial break. During the break, their microphones were accidentally left on, and Lavers and Witchalls could be heard talking amongst themselves. Cruise and Kidman were both labelled as bisexual in the ensuing conversation with an on-set crew member. They also commented that, at that point in the day, they had only one text message, and that some sort of deal with "the Japanese" was about to fall through. A technician called the set, informed Lavers that their comments were being broadcast, and the two issued a retraction/apology immediately afterwards -- although the audio for the first part of the apology was muted.

The channel now broadcasts onto a number of Sky Digital Channels and is responsible for programmes such as Bikini Beach, Cash House, Stash the Cash, Vegas 247 and Live Roulette.