SoHo (Australian TV channel)

SoHo
Launched 23 October 1995 (1995-10-23)
Closed 4 October 2016 (2016-10-04)
Owned by Foxtel Networks
Picture format 576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Audience share 0.8% (April 2007, [1])
Slogan Stories Start Here
Country Australia
Language English
Formerly called FX (until 1 November 2003)[2]
W. (1 November 2003 – 20 August 2012)
Replaced by Binge
Sister channel(s) Foxtel Networks channels
Timeshift service SoHo+2
Website www.sohotv.com.au
Availability
Satellite
Foxtel Channel 114 (SD/HD)
Channel 157 (+2)
Channel 1114 (SD)
Cable
Foxtel Channel 114 (SD/HD)
Channel 157 (+2)
Channel 1114 (SD)

SoHo was an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms. Originally a classic programming service, it shifted its focus to women's programming on November 1, 2003.[3] Later, on August 20, 2012, it shifted its focus, once again, to drama television series.

After several on-air creative rebrands and a repositioning to being a full drama channel, removing much of its talk shows in recent years, W. changed its name to SoHo, a brand that launched in New Zealand on August 20, 2012 as a monthly payment channel. SoHo then focused on drama, horror and thriller programming.[4]

The channel closed on 4 October 2016, and was replaced by a new channel Binge.[5][6]

History

The channel's first W. logo, as seen from 2003 to 2009
The second W. logo, as seen from 2009 to 2012
The channel's first logo (as SoHo), as seen from 2012 to 2015. This was also the original branding used by the New Zealand channel which SoHo is based on.

The channel began life as FX in 1995 and became available on Austar in April 1999.[7] It was relaunched as W. in 2003, shortly before digital broadcasting began.[2] W screened original Australian programming such as Beauty and the Beast, Love My Way, From Here to Maternity and Studio A with Simon Burke. It also had Pay-TV rights to many popular US primetime drama series such as Pushing Dasies and The Wire and repeats of many other series.

Antonia Kidman, sister of actress Nicole Kidman, was the face of the W channel, for quite some time and has presented a few parenting and entertainment programs for this and other channels. W2, the timeshift channel broadcasting programs two hours later, was launched in September 2006. A website for the channel was also launched in September 2006.

W. underwent a transformation in April 2009, which included an updated logo (now simply W) and several new additions to the primetime line-up. W HD was launched on 15 November 2009, on both Austar and Foxtel.

In 2012, it was announced that SoHo was to broadcast the new Australian drama Wentworth, a re-imaging of the classic television show Prisoner. The series started airing on 1 May 2013.

The channel closed on 30 September 2016, with existing programs being moved to other channels. Most programming have migrated to showcase, with a handful of other titles moving to TV H!TS, Arena and FOX8.[5]

Programming

Original Programming

Acquired Programming on SoHo

Acquired Programming on W

References

  1. ↑ Ratings Information
  2. 1 2 Idato, Michael (27 October 2003). "Talk of the town". Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney: Fairfax Media. p. 3. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
  3. ↑ Keogh, Kylie (25 November 2000). "Foxtel's feminine summer push". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. p. 14.
  4. ↑ David Knox. "SoHo to launch with The Newsroom on Foxtel". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 Knox, David (1 August 2016). "Foxtel closing SoHo, adds new Binge channel.". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  6. ↑ Knox, David (15 September 2016). "Binge channel launching October 5". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
  7. ↑ Joyce, James (26 March 1999). "Tunedin". Newcastle Herald. p. 6. Retrieved 3 May 2010. |section= ignored (help)
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