NBC Universal Cable Ent. announced the launch of Chiller, a 24-hour entertainment cable channel dedicated to the horror genre. DIRECTV will be the first affiliate to carry the new network, which starts March 1, 2007.
"We continually look at our options for launching new networks," said Jeff Gaspin, president, NBC Universal Cable Ent., digital content and cross network strategy.. "Horror is one of the most reliably successful genres in entertainment today and Chiller seems like a well-timed addition to our portfolio."
The new multi-platform channel will be offered as a triple pack service, which features a standard definition channel (SD), hi-definition simulcast channel (HD) and a video-on-demand (VOD) channel, as well as broadband on demand offerings. The SD digital channel will be available in the first quarter of 2007, with the VOD and HD offerings available later in 2007.
Dan Harrison, svp emerging networks, NBC Universal Cable Ent., will oversee day-to-day operations of Chiller. He also runs Sleuth and Universal HD under the emerging networks banner.
"DIRECTV is a valued partner of ours, has supported all of our services, and we are thrilled that they are the first affiliate to launch Chiller," said Bridget Baker, president, NBC Universal Television Networks Distribution. "We believe that Chiller and the horror genre is one that all of our affiliates will embrace."
Chiller will feature classic horror films and television shows 24/7. At launch, the programming slate will include the television series FRIDAY THE 13TH, TWIN PEAKS, ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and TALES FROM THE CRYPT. Feature films in rotation will include THE SHINING, Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO and THE BIRDS, SPHERE, THE STEPHEN KING MINI-SERIES THE LANGOLIERS, BLADE RUNNER, BELIEVE, THE CREW and THE UNHOLY.
The specific programming schedule for Chiller (
www.chillertv.com ) will be announced later.
NBC Universal Television Networks Distribution, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV, TV EST (electronic sell-through), TV Wireless distribution and retransmission consent, and oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of 14 properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Weather Plus, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Sleuth, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable).
DIRECTV (
www.directv.com ), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 15.6 million customers through exclusive content, industry-leading customer service (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers have some 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound; exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET, and MLB EXTRA INNINGS. DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(tm), US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on the Company, please visit directv.com.
