| Movie Network Channels | |
|---|---|
| Launched | 20 September 1995[1][2] |
| Owned by | Movie Network Channels Pty Ltd (Time Warner/HBO, Disney-ABC, MGM Holdings & Village Roadshow) |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)[3] |
| Audience share | 4% (January 2010, [4]) |
| Slogan | All Better Together |
| Country | Australia |
| Language | English |
| Formerly called | The Movie Network (1995-1997) |
| Sister channel(s) | Movie One FMC Family Starpics 1 Movie Extra Movie Greats |
| Timeshift service | Movie Two, Starpics 2 |
| Website | movienetwork.tv |
| Availability | |
| Satellite | |
| Foxtel | Movie One HD 224 Starpics 1 HD 225 Starpics 2 HD 226 Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 FMC Family: 413 Starpics 1: 415 Starpics 2: 416 Movie Extra: 417 Movie Greats: 419 |
| Austar | Movie One HD 224 Starpics 1 HD 225 Starpics 2 HD 226 Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 FMC Family: 413 Starpics 1: 415 Starpics 2: 416 Movie Extra: 417 Movie Greats: 419 |
| Cable | |
| Foxtel | Movie One HD 224 Starpics 1 HD 225 Starpics 2 HD 226 Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 FMC Family: 413 Starpics 1: 415 Starpics 2: 416 Movie Extra: 417 Movie Greats: 419 |
| Austar | Movie One HD 224 Starpics 1 HD 225 Starpics 2 HD 226 Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 FMC Family: 413 Starpics 1: 415 Starpics 2: 416 Movie Extra: 417 Movie Greats: 419 |
| Optus TV | Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 FMC Family: 413 Starpics 1: 415 Starpics 2: 416 Movie Extra: 417 Movie Greats: 419 |
| Neighbourhood Cable | Movie One: 31 Movie Extra: 32 Movie Greats: 33 |
| TransACT | Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 Movie Extra: 413 Movie Greats: 415 |
| IPTV | |
| Xbox 360 | Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 |
| Telstra T-Box | Movie One: 411 Movie Two: 412 |
| Internet television | |
| Foxtel Download | Movie Action Movie Comedy Movie Drama |
Movie Network Channels is an Australian premium television movie service that consists of five original channels (Movie One, Movie Extra, Movie Greats, Family Movie Channel, Starpics 1), two SD timeshifts (Movie Two, Starpics 2) and three HD simulcasts (Movie One HD, Starpics 1 HD, Starpics 2 HD). Its main competitor is Showtime. Movie Network channels were originally only available through Optus TV, who produced and part-owned the channels prior to January 1, 2000.[1][5]
Through content sharing agreements, Movie Network Channels became available through Austar in January 1999 and Foxtel in December 2002.[6] Movie Network is also available on Neighbourhood Cable, SelecTV and TransACT.[7] The channels are owned, operated and programmed by Time Warner, Disney-ABC International Television, MGM and Village Roadshow. In addition to films from these studios, the network also has access to films from DreamWorks[8] and Australian distributor Hopscotch Films.
On November 15, 2009, the network expanded with three additional (including 1 timeshift) channels and 3 HD simulcasts (including 1 timeshift).[9] In addition, a new website was launched and a unified slogan for the overall network - "All Together Better!".
From 2009, Movie Extra will be the naming rights sponsor for the Tropfest short film festival.[10]
Contents |
Movies are typically shown for a year, and may appear on any of the network's channels during its run.
Movie One is the network's premiere channel for blockbusters from studios such as Warner Bros., Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, MGM, Village Roadshow and Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks plus an array of independent studios and launched 20 September 1995. Prior to September 7, 1997 this channel was named The Movie Network. Movie One (along with timeshift service, Movie Two) also offers a free interactive movie service called Redspace. Every month Redspace allows digital viewers to play a quiz, read facts about the movie or watch video packages such as behind-the-scenes, interviews and other features. Movies that air on this channel are released 2005-onwards. An HD simulcast launched in November 15, 2009.
Movie Two is the timeshift service of Movie One where it broadcasts Movie One with a two hour delay and launched 2004.
Movie Extra launched on September 7, 1997.[2] The channel shows a mix of international and Australian films along with premieres of edgier films and documentaries. More recently the channel has started screening American or British television series such as Mad Men, Five Days, Dirt & The L Word. Movies that air on this channel are mainly from the late 90s and early 2000s.
Movie Greats shows films from the back catalogues of the studios. Often there are theme months, or marathons of movies. Classic movies are shown on this channel, which ranges from between the 1930s up until the mid 1990s and launched 20 September 1995. The channel adopted the slogan "Movies that move you" on from November 15, 2009.
Family Movie Channel is dedicated to Family Movies[9] and was launched on November 15, 2009. The channel shows movie rated G and PG, along with "light" M rated movies.[11] Premieres will be on Saturday evenings.[11]
Starpics is dedicated to double features of movies starring the same person. It has the slogan "Movies you know, actors you love",[9] and launched on November 15, 2009. The channel has a timeshift channel, with both having HD simulcasts.
Foxtel subscribers to Movie Network channels are able to download movies to their Windows PC from 3 download channels.
The 3 channels are Movie Action, Movie Comedy, and Movie Drama. Content is often changed and is exclusive to the Foxtel download service.
In June 2010, the Movie Network launched MovieBox, a subscription on-demand movie service for FetchTV with movies from the Movie Network's partner studios. The service offers a new movie each day, with instant access to 30 movies at any given time and the ability to pause, re-wind, fast forward and repeat view for up to 30 days.[12]
The movies are included as part of the FetchTV basic subscription package, and show on a customer's TV via the FetchTV set top box.