Recap To The Week: AMC Networks International Launches New Content Group Across UK & EMEA

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AMC Networks International UK (AMCNI0UK) has forged a new Content Group across the UK and EMEA and promoted Sam Rowden to run it.

Rowden, who currently oversees the company’s programing strategy for the CBS channel portfolio, becomes VP of the Content Group.

She will oversee linear and content strategies across the UK and EMEA with oversight of joint venture channels CBS Justice, CBS Europa, CBS Reality, RealityXtra, Legend, HorrorXtra as well as channel brands AMC and SundanceTV.

The weighty new remit also includes AMCNI-UK’s AVoD and FAST portfolio consisting of the AVoD player CBS Catchup Channels UK and FAST channel True Crime from CBS Reality that has recently launched with Amazon Freevee and Rakuten TV, and which is also available via ITVX. Additionally, Rowden is now also responsible for content acquisition and content partnerships including the relationship with Paramount Global for both the UK and EMEA joint ventures as well as content management including compliance.

“Sam has been the driving force behind the continued success of AMCNI-UK’s joint ventures with Paramount Global, both in the UK and in EMEA, including the development of our highly successful true crime originals effort since the beginning,” said Kevin Dickie, EVP and MD for AMNCI UK.

“With her leadership skills and expertise developing brands that appeal to a wide range of audiences, she is perfectly placed to assume this key role as we further integrate our linear and streaming efforts.”

Rowden joined AMCNI around 15 years ago.

The Twisted Origin Story Of RealityXtra

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RealityXtra is a European based channel owned by AMC International in partnership with Paramount serving as an extra by name to CBS Reality as its lineup is filled with content once seen by its predecessor CBS Drama.

The channel was brought in at the time AMC International had begun reviewing their offering in various markets and as seen with RealityXtra it's nothing like the sister channel CBS Reality as it's funneled with scripted content like CSI: Miami, Bosch, Charmed and Touched By An Angel.

Almost as if they were kind of rushing the introduction of RealityXtra and I know most of its existence should be coming from CBS Drama as AMC International had chosen it to replace the channel but what if I had to say that the channel shares a close connection to CBS Reality.

CBS Reality (known as Reality TV) was launched back in 2002 as part of a joint venture between UPCtv and Zone Vision in the UK and after 4 years got an additional channel, Reality Extra and although many believe this could have a connection to RealityXtra it might not be the case.

I get the naming is similar you have Reality Extra and RealityXtra but there's indicators that AMC International could have thought of RealityXtra without dwelling so much on the past.

They have a programming block on one of their brands HorrorXtra and other than that look at the content. I mean Reality Extra was a disciple of Reality TV as the programming coordinated with each other but that's not the case with CBS Reality and RealityXtra.

As mentioned above, the content is way too different making them random than just a mere spinoff and honestly with the way things are with CBS Reality retaining the CBS brand would it be far fetched if the channel were close and RealityXtra took its place.

There's been officials in the UK mentioning how there's another reality channel known as Really which has somewhat a similar feel to CBS "Reality" even though from my angle it wouldn't be hard to differentiate from the two. One is yellow another orange one has two "l" the other got an "lt" instead.

Point being made it has been speculated that this Really channel is the cause of having CBS Reality retain its status but from my perspective wouldn't RealityXtra make an ideal replacement to CBS Reality I mean other content might as well move to Legend with the rest under this brand.

RealityXtra is one way they could however try to phase out CBS without clashing with Really.

Possible Outcome To The Demise Of CBS Justice And Nicktoons On DStv

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During the year, MultiChoice had been monitoring stock which led to the cancellation of Tellytrack, fliekNET and ITV Networks and there's also been those unexpected developments from e.tv's 4 channels, RT and Lifetime with CBS Justice and Nicktoons likely joining the trio.

CBS Justice was shuttered in the UK in July by the same people that manage the one seen on the DStv platform which was subsequently supplemented by an action skewed channel Legend which appears to be applicable to viewers of that region.

After seeing a promo, it doesn't feel like something AMC International would want to build in other regions and the fact that these channels aren't seen with the CBS brand has led me to believe that maybe these channels will involve CBS Reality.

CBS Reality remains intact as sources believe it has to do with another channel almost resembling the "Reality" look and feel.

But seeing as CBS Reality and CBS Justice are factual it makes more sense to merge them perhaps under another brand name like RealityXtra I mean both channels have seen a high level in repetition and this merger would kind of help boost the offering.

Honestly, CBS Reality kind of seems out of touch that the idea of both channels likely exiting the region wouldn't be far fetched a stretch.

Onto their partners Paramount, I noticed that Nicktoons has become lifeless as the only current shows are NickMusic and something I can see Nickelodeon boot after a season 2/3 is Middlemost Post. I know the brand was always catered to Nickelodeon's scraps but this time it's different.

Paramount had always wanted to make Nicktoons feel independent and there's been less of that. I noticed they put up adverts for Kamp Koral and Rugrats on Nicktoons despite not airing as the channel might be aligned to the global Nicktoons feed to some extent.

On top of that, Nicktoons has an outdated programme guide if Horrid Henry ain't called Program To Be Confirmed then you get an old schedule which is usually updated the following day with the rest of the week remaining very much outdated.

This habit makes it seem as if Paramount is ready to retire the channel soon as they gear up for the rollout of Paramount+ which is scheduled to rollout in Africa by 2023 and would it be shocking if Nicktoons closed prior to its launch with Nickelodeon filling up its shoes.

Paramount often refers Nicktoons audiences to upcoming attractions from Nickelodeon which can be chaotic considering the geography. In South Africa, Nickelodeon is a premium channel and viewers should be compensated should Nicktoons be discontinued.

Honestly, the world is evolving and these channels in general are becoming a thing of the past I have some fond memories and I believe that's the only thing to keep a channel alive in spirit.

 

Conspiracy Theory: The Real Reason CBS Reality Remains In The UK

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In the summer of 2019, AMC International and Paramount made a loss of £8,024,000 before tax £4,000 and a year later amidst the pandemic witnessed a small increase in an impairment charge of £8,643,000 with net assets worth £4,069,000.

Earlier in the month, CBS Reality remained onboard their stable while other CBS brands like CBS Justice, CBS Drama and Horror Channel were axed for Legend, Reality Xtra and Horror Xtra as rumours swirl about the dismemberment of their partnership.

As seen in their financial records in the summer of 2020, AMC International is in a loss making position with a net current liabilities of £7,178,641 (2019: £7,162,843) and negative equity of £7,178641 (2019: £905,317) with Paramount offering funding until for the rest of 2021 and discussing future prospects by the end of 2022.

Taking that to account, the name change could have something to do with the reported losses and the changes could spell the dismemberment of Paramount and AMC International after 10 years.

CBS Reality as mentioned is the only channel to not have been affected by the change but what if the reason behind that wasn't Warner Bros. Discovery's Really channel which has a similar coat of paint to the Reality portion of the name but something bigger.

Reality Xtra which is seen as a spin-off to CBS Reality even though that's not the case with the programming was once the name used on the main channel. Is it possible that CBS Reality will close and merge onto Reality Xtra? If so why not do it sooner?

CBS Reality has a lot of decent and mature content compared to MTV and E! on top of various cable providers so maybe they're fulfilling agreements with some suppliers before axing the channel with content moving over to Reality Xtra.