NBC unleashes new horror network on DirecTV

NBC Universal Cable Entertainment is launching a 24-hour network dedicated to the horror and thriller genre, to be launched aboard US satellite television service provider DirecTV.

Scheduled to launch on March 1, Chiller is a multi-platform channel being offered to viewers as a ‘triple pack’ service, featuring both standard and high definition channels, as well as VoD and broadband-on-demand offerings.

Only the standard digital channel will be available at launch, but NBCU said that the VoD and HD offerings will be made available later in the year.

Jeff Gaspin, president of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, digital content and cross network strategy, commented: “We continually look at our options for launching new networks. Horror is one of the most reliably successful genres in entertainment today and Chiller seems like a well-timed addition to our portfolio.”

The daily operation of the new channel will be overseen by Dan Harrison, senior VP of emerging networks at NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, who currently runs the Sleuth and Universal HD channels under the emerging networks banner.

Chiller will feature classic horror films and television shows around the clock, including television series such as Friday the 13th, Twin Peaks, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Tales from the Crypt.

Early feature films in rotation will include The Shining, Hitchcock’s Psycho and The Birds, Sphere, Stephen King miniseries The Langoliers, Blade Runner, Believe, The Crew and The Unholy.