A rare launch of a new service that every Freeview user will be able to watch, as local TV operator That’s TV plans new nostalgia channel.
- That’s TV bags newly available universal Freeview coverage slot, reaching 98.5% of UK homes.
- That’s Memories allocated Freeview channel 71 in latest reshuffle.
- Broadcaster experimenting with various channels showing archive TV material.
Salford-based That’s Media has secured a rarely available fully national Freeview slot to launch a new nostalgia channel that builds on its existing portfolio of channels featuring vintage TV shows.
A placeholder for new channel That’s Memories has gone live on Freeview channel 71. Viewers will need to retune to add the new service to their channel line-up ahead of the service going live.
That’s Media is yet to confirm the launch date and initial programme line-up, but the broadcaster behind That’s TV already operates two entertainment channels featuring classic TV shows including Bread, Benidorm, Shameless, Jerry Springer, The Thick of It and Benny Hill, plus music channels featuring music from the 60s to the 90s and the broadcaster is known to be planning to further exploit the programme archives for new services.
In preparation for the new channel, last month That’s Media acquired TCC Broadcasting Limited from A+E Networks UK (AETN UK), including its broadcast licence and EPG slot. Freeview Play users will note that That’s Memories is currently displaying the TCC logo on the EPG.
On the Freely TV platform, That’s Memories has taken over TCC’s former channel number, channel 42.
That’s Media’s latest financial report confirms it has been experimenting new formats through various pilot channels, including That’s TV2, which briefly grabbed headlines by showing early episodes of Home and Away, in a move that didn’t last two weeks.
New channel will reach more viewers than ever
That’s Memories will have a technical reach on Freeview that far exceeds That’s Media’s other Freeview channels. This is because the channel will piggyback on the signal that already carries ITV1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 on Freeview, which has around 98.5% UK household coverage, plus coverage on the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
Most other commercial channels on Freeview, like Quest, Sky News or Talking Pictures, only reach 90% of homes as they broadcast on commercial multiplexes. Commercial multiplexes aren’t carried on relay transmitters and don’t reach more remote parts of the UK, plus the Channel Islands.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: That’s Memories screengrab