Modern Times Group MTG AB announced that it will launch a new free-TV channel - TV6 - in Norway on 21 November. TV6 will be MTG’s third free-TV channel in Norway and will complement the Group’s existing Norwegian free-TV channel portfolio of TV3 and Viasat4. TV6 will also be MTG’s 33rd free-TV channel.
TV6 will be a general entertainment and lifestyle channel, and broadcast a combination of talk shows, quality drama, crime series and movies. Successful formats like ‘The Great British Bake-off’, ‘The Jonathan Ross show’, ‘Location, Location, Location’ and ‘MasterChef UK’ are some of the shows that will be aired on the channel. TV6 will also broadcast locally produced programming in 2014. The channel will be targeted at a female-skewed audience of 35-49 year olds.
TV6 will be distributed broadly on Norwegian TV platforms including MTG’s own Viasat satellite platform; the Riks-TV digital terrestrial network; Canal Digital’s cable and satellite TV networks; and the GET cable TV network. TV6 is therefore expected to have a household penetration of approximately 65% at launch, and this is expected to rise further as additional distribution agreements are put in place. Selected programmes will also be available on a catch-up basis on internet connected devices through TV6Play and TV6Norge.no.
MTG’s TV3 and Viasat4 are available in both HD and SD versions, and had a combined commercial share of viewing of 17.3% in the third quarter of 2013 in the target group of 15-49 year olds. TV3 was launched in 1987 as the first commercial TV channel in Norway, and is a general entertainment channel, while Viasat4 was launched in 2007 and is a male-skewed entertainment channel.
Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, President and CEO of MTG, commented: “TV6 will be a great addition to our entertainment offering for Norwegian viewers. It will be widely available on multiple platforms and devices and provide a range of exciting and engaging programming content. This is the latest important step in the on-going implementation of our multi-channel media house strategy, and will further enhance our competitive position in Norway.”
