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Sony channel merger creates UK crime net

Sony Pictures Television Networks (SPTN) is merging two of its UK networks to create a new free-to-air (FTA) channel featuring shows such as Orange is the New Black and Line of Duty.

Kate Marsh

Sony Crime Channel will debut on February 6 after SPTN merges its True Crime and Sony Channel networks in the UK.

It will be SPTN’s second Sony-branded FTA channel in the country after the launch of Sony Movie Channel in January last year.

The channel will feature scripted and non-scripted crime content, including the FTA premiere of Lionsgate’s Netflix original series Orange is the New Black.

Its launch line-up will also include Jed Mercutio’s police corruption drama Line of Duty and the UK premiere of Real Detective North of the Border, as well as crime series Person of Interest, CSI, Deadly Women, Hustle and Law & Order.

The network will initially be available on Freeview, YouView and Sky and will launch on Freesat in the UK on February 13.

Kate Marsh, SPT’s executive VP for Western Europe, international networks, said: “Sony Crime Channel is a destination channel for audiences who want crime drama series and real-life factual stories under one roof.”

The SPTN UK channels include film networks Sony Movie Channel, Movies4Men and True Movies; entertainment channels Sony Crime Channel, True Entertainment and truTV; kids’ channels Pop, Tiny Pop and Pop Max, as well as various music channels.

The firm recently appointed Sarah Muller as VP of its UK children’s and youth portfolio and Steve Hornsey as VP of its UK entertainment channel portfolio.

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