| Channel 6 (ireland) |
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Channel 6, also marketed as '''Six''', is an Irish Cable and Satellite television operation, currently available on the Dublin , Galway , and Waterford cable systems formerly owned by NTL , the nationwide Chorus digital platform (both owned by Liberty Global ), and - as of February 2007 - on Sky Digital . It is also available on some, though not every, Chorus analogue platform, including Cork , Limerick and Tralee . Since March 2007, the channel has also broadcast to a trial of 1,000 homes in counties Dublin and Louth via digital terrestrial television. Earlier, Channel 6 applied and was successful in a process to become a potential DTT 'channel manager'. The channel is encrypted and available via this method of transmission only to the trial users. The Channel 6 website caused some confusion over the launch date. Initially the website holding image mentioned an April 2006 launch, but this referred to the launch date of the website, and not of the actual channel itself. The channel launched at 20:00 on March 30 , 2006 , while promotional reels began airing on NTL Digital from March 26 , 2006 . The website launch coincided with the programming launch and its content includes channel listings and information on the channel and its programmes. BACKGROUND The channel was initially only licenced by Ofcom in the UK for Sky Digital operation, and as such would have been operating as a semi- Pirate in broadcasting to Ireland. However, the BCI has granted the station a cable and MMDS broadcasting licence, and its Ofcom licence has been withdrawn. Despite these initial plans, the channel did not debut on Sky Digital in the Republic of Ireland due to a dispute with Sky on where the channel should appear on the EPG . Presumably, the dispute with Sky was to do with channel 106. as channel 106 was used for NTL, and channel 6, was used for Chorus, it is presumable that the channel 106, was requested for Sky also. However the channel 106 is currently occupied by Sky's flagship channel Sky One , while 107 and 108 used for Sky Two and Three respectively, which would have made a move difficult. Prior to launch, reports also indicated that Channel 6 had been offered a 'late 200s' EPG slot, which channel bosses suggested in media reports would 'devalue the brand'. The channel launched on Chorus and NTL only. Channel 6 finally launched on Sky in Ireland on 5 February 2007, with the EPG number 223 . The channel is carried on SES SIRIUS for distribution to regional cable head-ends, encrypted in Cryptoworks . Its backers include the Gowan Group , a motor dealership chain, and Barrys , a food and beverages company. Channel 6 is one of the few free-to-view channels on NTL digital (channels which are viewable without a subscription to the digital service/without an authorisation card inserted). COMPANY INFORMATION Channel 6's first Managing Director was Martin Drake. Prior to taking up this position, Martin was Director of Finance for ''Discovery Networks Europe'' with responsibilities spanning 6 offices across the major European TV markets. In addition to this, he had also held senior management positions at the BBC and Five in the UK, and at ''Orbit Satellite TV Network'' in Italy. Martin Drake however left the company after eight months. His departure was described as "quite amicable" {Link without Title} . Channel 6's current Managing Director is Mark Kellett. He joined the company in June 2006 from Yahoo Europe where he served as Chief Financial Officer . His background in mainly in the Hi-tech sector. The Channel 6 logo was designed by Dynamo, a Dublin based creative team. The Channel 6 website was designed by ShopeCentre , a Dublin based Web Applications Development firm. PROGRAMMING The channel will produce up to 16 hours of locally produced programming with the remainder being made up of North America n, Central Europe an and Australia n shows. The channel targets 15-34 year olds in the Irish market. Unlike other Irish channels, there is no news service (and no current plans for one). Channel 6 airs a number of locally produced programmes, the vast majority of which are commissions made by Intermission Studios ; these include the alternative music show, ''Night Shift'', and the computer gaming show, ''Game On''. In addition to ''Night Shift'' and ''Game On'' the other home produced shows on Channel 6 are the daily pop music show ''Popscene'', the Irish version of '' Access Hollywood '', a movie review show called '' Take Six '' and the official Irish chart show ''Pop20'' which is produced by Old Hat , who also produce TV3's movie show ''Popcorn''. Channel 6 has a deal with CBS Paramount on distribution of some of its big shows on Irish TV. Classic shows on the channel will include '' Sex And The City '', '' Frasier '' and new seasons of '' Las Vegas '' and '' 7th Heaven '' (the former through its acquisition of DreamWorks Television). "Our focus is on providing Irish viewers with a mix of both local and international entertainment programming," said Michael Murphy, Channel 6's director of programming. "We are delighted to be able to offer our viewers such high-quality, well-known series right at the start. We anticipate that this will be the first of several deals with our friends at CBS Paramount ." Quite a few of these shows have already been aired on Irish channels, RTÉ previously aired ''7th Heaven'' while TV3 ran ''Sex and the City'' and ''Las Vegas'', however Channel 6 will be the first of the Irish channels to show programmes such as '' House '' and '' Heroes '', the US version of '' The Office '', '' Numb3rs '' and '' My Name Is Earl ''. They have also signed a deal with FOX to broadcast a number of their shows in Ireland. On Friday, 31 March, its first full-day of programming, they aired '' Buffy The Vampire Slayer '' in accordance with this. A basic Teletext service is provided, listing schedules and competition details and winners. No subtitling service is provided. LAUNCH The available schedule (from it began programming at 15:00. Programming initially aired from 15:00 each weekday and 12:00 each weekend. It has now commenced broadcasting from 07:00 every morning. The channel promised the biggest Irish media launch to date. They reportedly spent approximately €3 million on advertising. The channel’s launch marketing began on 26 March with double-page spreads across a number of national newspapers, which is to be followed by a significant outdoor and radio campaign. ''Channel 6 - all the entertainment you need'', is the simple advertising slogan for the channel in line with the fact that it will not feature any news, sport or current affairs. HOME PRODUCED PROGRAMMES Channel 6 is scheduled to show a mix of Irish produced shows and foreign imports. Home-produced shows broadcast by Channel 6 are:
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