Turner Broadcasting is set to launch entertainment channel TruTV in the UK this Summer.
The TruTV brand has been a staple of Turner’s cable operations in the United States since 2008 (when it was rebranded from Court TV) and is best known for its unscripted output with such hits as Hardcore Pawn and Lizard Lick Towing.
Turner Broadcasting UK said that TruTV will operate 24 hours a day and will be a free-to-air channel available on all major platforms. The FTA channel will feature a mix of UK commissions and acquisitions from the United States, in an attempt to mirror the output of the US network as much as is possible.
To that end, Turner UK have said that they will acquire content from Turner US as well as international distributors such as Endemol Worldwide Distribution and Zodiak Rights. Unscripted shows lined up for the launch of the channel this summer include Fear Factor, Hardcore Pawn: Chicago, Killer Karaoke, Container Wars, South Beach Tow, Redneck Island and Ink Masters.
TruTV is larger than life compulsive viewing. The channel invites the audience into the worlds of real people in real life situations and gives them a chance to experience the often dynamic, amazing and always entertaining situations that ensue”, said Jemma Yates, Turner Broadcasting’s Director of General Entertainment for the UK and Ireland. “From the everyday encounters of two well-versed American brothers in a Chicago-based pawn shop in Hardcore Pawn: Chicago to the cringe-inducing spectacle that is Killer Karaoke, this is enthralling entertainment at its very best. We are thrilled to be adding TruTV to Turner’s UK portfolio.”
While Anthony Lukom, General Manager of Turner UK, added: “TruTV shows real-life comedy featuring incredible characters in real-life situations, a formula that is enjoying ever-increasing popularity worldwide. We are extremely excited to be carving out a place for this unique proposition as a dedicated free to air channel in the UK. The channel will also widen Turner Broadcasting’s general entertainment portfolio, extending our reach to 26 million homes in the UK. We look forward to further building our channel strategy in this market.”
