Cablevision, FX Start Up VOD Promo Channel

They used to be called "barker" channels in cable TV. Now Cablevision Systems Corp. and FX want to bring back those promo channels to the new digital world of VOD.

Cablevision, FX Networks and Conn.-based media agency, Media Storm will start up the FX Preview Channel. All this is being done to support the traditional linear channel FX. Cablevision says this is first time a programmer will promote its linear programming through a dedicated VOD advertising channel.

Cablevision's digital cable customers will get exclusive on-demand content from FX series including "The Shield," "Nip/Tuck," and "Rescue Me," as well as original content, interactive polling, sneak previews, and behind-the-scenes footage.

"Rescue Me" will have its brand extension on the new channel with original, scripted shorts called Rescue Me 2.5, produced by the same producers of the network's TV series. All this will help promote the series' upcoming third season premiere. Rescue Me 2.5 stars the show's regular cast, including Denis Leary.

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Cablevision has more than 2.1 million digital customers in its service called iO. More than 70 percent of Cablevision's cable customers are digital cable customers. Customers will have access to more than 200 channels--50 premium movie channels, 45 channels of commercial-free digital music, more than 1,200 titles available on demand.

In the past, cable operators used extra analog channel space for promo or "barker" channels to help tout cable networks that ran on their system. But the explosive growth of new cable networks in the 80s and 90s took over those barker channels, causing them to disappear.

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