CSC Media-owned True Entertainment, which was formerly Showcase TV, will offer a schedule of ‘true to life’ programming, including true story films and dramatised documentaries.

Showcase, which is a new channel from Information TV, will offer a broad mix of drama, music and science fiction programming.

Freesat’s head of channels Mark Briggs commented:

“The exciting launch of both of these channels to the Freesat service further emphasises our dedication to delivering real choice and high quality entertainment to our viewers,”

“True Entertainment and Showcase complement our existing entertainment and lifestyle lineups perfectly and we expect them to prove popular with our audience.”

Information TV commercial director Tony Blin-Stoyle commented:

“We’re delighted that Showcase is now on Freesat, a platform that offers access to a million new viewers.

“As our channels develop and we bring new programmes and formats to digital television, it is essential that the viewer can choose where they want to watch them.”

CSC managing director Remy Minute added:

“True Entertainment features rich and rewarding programming that we’re sure Freesat viewers will love.”

You will need to force a re tune if your receiver or TV does not prompt you.

Freesat, the free-to-air digital satellite TV service today announced the launch of Black Entertainment Television (BET UK), America’s leading provider of entertainment and public affairs programming aimed at global consumers of popular culture inspired by African-American music and lifestyle.

In addition, five other channels including Zone Horror + 1, Information TV, Kix!, Celebrity Shop and Simply Shopping will launch on the same day.

BET Networks currently reaches 87m households in North America and the Caribbean. Its launch onto the Freesat service is part of its ambitious international expansion plans.

The broadcaster’s autumn schedule features the BET Hip-Hop Awards, a key date in the hip-hop calendar, due to be broadcast in the UK on Friday 24 October. Last year’s line-up of performers included Kanye West, Ludacris, Common and Nelly. British grime rapper Kano picked up the award for ‘Best UK Act’ at the awards.

Commenting on the addition of the new channels, Emma Scott, MD of Freesat, said; “Freesat is committed to providing viewers with the best of free-to-air programming and a diverse choice, with something for everyone. BET is a huge brand name in the US and its style and range of programming will be tremendously popular with viewers in the UK. In addition, a channel like Kix! brings an exciting style of kids TV programming onto the platform.”

BET International, Senior Vice President, Michael Armstrong added, “We are delighted to be partnering Freesat in what we view as an important process in our distribution strategy. We believe that our exclusive content should be seen by as wide an audience as possible, Freesat delivers a free-to-air solution that fits into our aggressive audience growth plan for the UK”

Zone Horror + 1 – Channel 139 – Dedicated to the dark side of cinema, Zone Horror sources popular horror films and series from around the world. Airing golden age classics, controversial cult films, kitsch masterpieces and highly original contemporary titles, Zone Horror appeals to all types of viewers, from the obsessive fan to the sporadic fright seeker. 

BET – Channel 140 – BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc is the leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, BET Digital Networks – BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, BET Home Entertainment, BET Mobile and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution. BET currently has 750,000 UK viewers since launching in March 2008. www.bet.com

Information TV – Channel 406 – is a new type of broadcaster. As a public service narrowcaster, it offers informative and educational programmes from government departments, public bodies and other organisations. It also carries a range of microchannels – programmes from organisations starting out in broadcast TV, and focussing on niche audiences – large and small – in all sorts of areas, including entertainment, education, hobbies and fun.

Kix! – Channel 606 – Aimed at 8-15 year olds, Kix is the first UK digital channel to be devoted entirely to boys who love action, music and extreme sports. The channel will appeal to all young boys with a desire to be cool.

Celebrity Shop – Channel 806 – A 24 hour home shopping channel featuring high quality health, beauty and fitness products. The shows are hosted and the products endorsed by such global celebrities as: Jessica Simpson, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Cindy Crawford, Serena Williams and Victoria Principal. CelebrityShop is part of Guthy-Renker LLP which is today one of the world’s largest direct response television companies.

Simply Shopping – Channel 812

Set in London’s famous medical district, Harley Street gets behind the facade of suave medics treating celebrity and wealthy patients. The private practice is run by three doctors: Martha Elliot, Robert Fielding and cosmetic surgeon Ekkow Obiang. While each has their unique approach to their job, all three medics are outsiders in the closed world of high-end private care dominated by white, privately-educated men.