Blaze (British and Irish TV channel)

Blaze is a free-to-air television channel owned by A&E Networks UK, a joint venture between A&E Networks and Sky Group, while in Spain and Portugal it is owned and run by History Channel Iberia joint venture. This channel allows UK A&E to use its programming for the complete "lifecycle". The channels' programming is a best of A&E shows[1] Blaze was the first channel launched in the UK by A&E Networks that didn't borrow its name from one of the company's U.S. channels. The abbreviation "A&E" is commonly used to mean "Accident and Emergency unit" in the UK, so the company decided not to use that brand for the channel.[2]

Blaze
Country
  • UK
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Portugal
Programming
Picture format576i (16:9 SDTV)
Timeshift serviceBlaze +1
Ownership
OwnerA&E Networks
Sister channelsCrime+Investigation
Sky History
Sky History 2
History
Launched20 September 2016 (2016-09-20)
Links
Websitewww.blaze.tv
Availability
Terrestrial
FreeviewChannel 63
Channel 80 (+1)
Cable
Virgin MediaChannel 216
Satellite
SkyChannel 164 (UK (not Channel Islands) & Ireland)
Channel 187 (Channel Islands)
Channel 127 (Italy)
FreesatChannel 162
Astra 2G11081 H 22000 5/6

In 2013, A&E Networks UK hired Heather Jones as general manager. Jones pushed having a free-to-air channel starting in her interview. Other US competitors have launched free-to-air channels in the UK with Turner Broadcasting's TruTV in August 2014, Viacom's Spike in April 2015 and Fox's YourTV on Freeview in October 2015.[1] A&E Networks announced a free-to-air factual entertainment channel for the UK in the third quarter of the year. A&E Turkey had already launched its Lifetime as a free-to-air channel.[3] The channel launched on 20 September 2016, and is the first free-to-air channel launched by A&E Networks UK[4] on Sky and Freeview.[5]

By March 22, 2017, A+E Networks Italy was scheduled to launch its Blaze in 2017 on Sky Italy.[6] In Spain and Portugal, Blaze channel replaced the A&E channel on 18 April 2018.[7]

Having original only aired imported and rerun programming, Blaze commissioned its first original programme, Flipping Bangers, in 2017.[8] It premiered on 6 April 2018 as a part of the Car Night programming block.[9] A second season was later commissioned.

Elena Anniballi was appointed director of Blaze in April 2017.[10] In February 2019, A&E Networks appointed Dan Korn as head of Blaze.[2]

Initial programs
  • Pawn Stars (2016–)[1]
  • Mountain Men (2016–)[1]
  • American Restoration (2016–)[1]
Exclusive A&E programming (April 2019—)
Original programming:

References
  1. Kanter, Jake (August 18, 2016). "A+E Networks is launching its first Freeview channel in the UK — but admits it's late to the party". Business Insider. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  2. "A+E Networks Eyes Blaze Expansion As It Promotes UK Content Chief Dan Korn To Oversee Free-To-Air Brand". Deadline. 20 February 2019.
  3. Clover, Julian (May 18, 2016). "A+E Networks to launch Freeview channel". Broadband TV News. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  4. Wightman, Catriona (18 August 2016). "Freeview is getting a brand new TV channel called BLAZE and it sounds fiery". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  5. Dziadul, Chris (28 August 2014). "FOXLife to launch in Spain". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  6. Clover, Julian (22 March 2017). "A+E's Blaze to launch on Sky Italia". Broadband TV News. Retrieved March 27, 2017.
  7. Gonzalez, Juan Fernandez (13 April 2018). "AMC launches Blaze in Spain". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  8. "Blaze lights first original". C21Media. 15 October 2017.
  9. "Three quarters of millennials don't know how to change a tyre or make simple repairs to their car". The Mirror. 6 April 2018.
  10. "A+E UK rejigs programming teams; Job steps down". Realscreen. 11 April 2007.
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