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Freesat lights up BLAZE in UK
A+E Networks UK has extended distribution of its BLAZE free-to-air (FTA) channel, following a deal with the Freesat subscription-free satellite TV platform.
The entertainment channel formed A+E Networks International’s second FTA channel launch in 2016 and is designed to bring together a host of the company’s well known and successful franchises under a new brand that it says ‘celebrates extraordinary, determined and courageous characters’.
It will offer Freesat viewers episodes of series such as Pawn Stars, Mountain Men and American Restoration, as well as crime series The First 48 and Unusual Suspects. The service was announced on the Freeview DTT service in the UK in August 2016, as well as with pay-TV Sky and as a TV everywhere service.
With the launch of BLAZE on Freesat, the channel is now available to nearly 21 million viewers on UK FTA platforms. It is also available to over 12.4 million Sky subscribers.
Commenting on the launch, Heather Jones, UK general manager, A+E Networks, said: “We are very excited to bring BLAZE to a further 1.9 million homes via Freesat. We are delighted with how audiences are embracing the array of shows on BLAZE, with much of our content free-to-air exclusives.”
Added Freesat managing director Alistair Thom: “We are thrilled to add BLAZE to our channel line-up. Freesat viewers already enjoy more than 200 TV and radio channels across a range of genres. BLAZE will boost our entertainment offering for viewers who want to enjoy brilliant TV without paying a monthly subscription.”