Nuts TV is a British television channel from Nuts magazine. Nuts TV began broadcasting on Freeview channel 42 on 12 September 2007, and launched on Sky Digital on 21st January 2008. It is expected to launch on Virgin Media's cable TV service in Spring 2008. .[1] Space is alloted on SDN's Freeview Multiplex between the hours of 9pm and 1am, meaning that Nuts TV can currently only air between those hours on Freeview. When the channel launced on Sky Digital, more bandwidth was available, allowing it to broadcast longer than on Freeview, between the hours of 7pm and 3am. Nuts TV was launched by the magazine's owner IPC and Turner Broadcasting, which are both parts of the AOL Time Warner media empire. The service will be produced by digital media company ETV, with advertising sales handled by Turner. Currently Nuts TV airs for 8 hours each night on Sky Digital, but in late November it was announced that the channel would increase its broadcasting hours to 12 up from the current 4, this would coincide with the launch of the channel on Virgin Media in Spring 2008. Content for the extended airing will be a mix of entertainment programming from the Turner Portfolio. [2]
ProductionMost of the content for the show is produced in-house in their purpose build studio, but a spokesperson for the show has commented that, the channel will be looking for some 3rd party ideas to expand its schedule.[1] ContentPremised FormatPrior to launch, information was released to the press about the channel's content; "The channel's programming will feature a live format reflecting Nuts' brand of "unique and fast-paced humour". Nuts TV will take the magazine into the TV arena with exclusive original content within a live studio setting" according to a joint statement made by Turner and IPC. "Cameras will be placed all over the set such as the corridors and production offices to allow the producers to show action from behind the sceens. The programming will be live, five nights a week, with hosted highlights for the remaining two. This live format is suited to the Nuts audience, who are familiar with the pace, variety and immediacy of the web". "Whilst Nuts TV will have all the character and personality of the magazine, it will not replicate it, and will offer its own unique take on girls, sport, entertainment, gadgets, cars and news. Much of the show will involve viewers as the new channel seeks to include as much user-generated content as possible such as phone ins, the ability to send in content such as mobilephone videos and text messages. The first part of participation all ready involves the chance for viewers to become guest presenters". Since launch, Turner and IPC have followed their proposed format. Nuts TV has live content from Tuesday until Saturday. Sunday and Monday are 'Best Of' days, where the best of the week's highlights are shown. To encourage viewers to keep watching, a "pub ammo" question is asked before the commercial break, with the answer being revealed at the end. The questions are general knowledge and trivia based; the idea being the questions could be asked in a pub quiz. However, in the 11th April issue of Nuts magazine, on page 20 it was announced that Nuts TV would no longer feature live studio content. Shows
PresentersThe initial presenters were:
Since Nuts TV has started, some guest hosts have appeared. These include:
RatingsInitial ratings were described as "inauspicious", with a first night average of 9,000 viewers (0.10% share), with a peak of 28,000 upon launch.[3] InternetNuts TV is also available via broadband at the www.nuts.tv website. The broadband component offers catch-up TV, unseen footage and opportunities for participation. See alsoReferencesExternal links
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