Arena (TV network)

Arena

Arena Logo
Launched 22 April 1995[1][2]
Owned by Foxtel Networks
Picture format 576i (SDTV 16:9)
1080i (HDTV 16:9)
Audience share 0.9% (July '07, [3])
Slogan First on Arena
Only on Arena
Watch What Happens
Country Australia
Language English
Sister channel(s) 111 Greats
Bio.
The Comedy Channel
Fox8
FOX Classics
The LifeStyle Channel
LifeStyle Food
LifeStyle Home
LifeStyle You
SoHo
TV Hits
Website www.arenatv.com.au
Availability
Satellite
Foxtel Channel 105 (SD/HD)
Channel 151 (+2)
Channel 1105 (SD)
Cable
Foxtel Channel 105 (SD/HD)
Channel 151 (+2)
Channel 1105 (SD)

Arena is an Australian general entertainment cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar, and Optus Television's subscription platforms.

History

In the late 1990s, Arena had the slogan "The Art of Television". It ran a mix of programs, including UK serial Coronation Street, and cult horror and science fictions films presented by Tabitha Clutterbuck. This included programs from E! prior to the launch of E! in Australia.

Arena
2001 Logo

On 1 March 2001 it relaunched, with an added focus on talk shows and celebrity.[4][5]

Slogan Year(s)
The Art of Television 1995–2001
Get Into It 2001–2005
Great TV Any time 2005–2008
Watch What Happens 2008 – present
Arena
2005 Logo

On 31 July 2005, its look was again updated, with a new logo and the new slogan, "Great TV Any time".[6]

It was owned and operated by XYZnetworks until 1 October 2007 when management and programming were taken over by Foxtel,[7] with XYZ Networks still retaining ownership.

In April 2008, Foxtel announced a partnership with Universal Networks International, where Arena would be re-branded as an Australian version of the American channel Bravofeaturing original series from the network, and adopting a variation of Bravo's branding and slogan, whilst retaining the previous Arena name.[8]

On 1 June 2010, Arena TV switched from standard 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen programming. Many of Arena's programmes like Gilmore Girls, Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother and One Tree Hill amongst other shows are originally presented in widescreen. Arena TV's switch to widescreen is part of Foxtel's plan to have every channel in widescreen by the end of 2010.

On 3 November 2014, Arena launched a HD feed. In addition, Arena + 2 moved from channel 154 to channel 151.[9]

Programming

Current Programming

Original Programming

Acquired Programming

Former Programming

Original Programming

Acquired Programming

References

  1. Browne, Rachel (22 April 1995). "Galaxy takes knife to fees". The Sun-Herald (Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media). p. 23. Retrieved 21 December 2009. XYZ Entertainment is launching the other four Galaxy channels today. They are a documentary channel Quest, children's and cult TV channel Max, general entertainment channel Arena and music channel Red.
  2. "CPEU:Australis Background". Archived from the original on 24 December 2004. Retrieved 5 September 2009.
  3. Ratings Week 29 (15/07/2007 - 21/07/2007)
  4. Danielsen, Shane (8 March 2001). "New Arena for female viewers". The Australian (Sydney, Australia: News Limited).
  5. Brown, Pam (27 February 2001). "Arena's Soft Landing". The West Australian (Perth, Australia: West Australian Newspapers Limited).
  6. Lee Lewes, Jacqeuline (20 July 2005). "A driving force". The Daily Telegraph (Australia) (Sydney, Australia: News Limited).
  7. Foxtel takes Arena
  8. A New Arena
  9. Knox, David (3 November 2014). "BoxSets, Discovery Kids launch on Foxtel.". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  10. Knox, David (2014-02-24). "Foxtel to fast-track Days of Our Lives". TV Tonight. Retrieved 2014-02-24.

External links