Nostalgia movie channel Talking Pictures launches on Freeview

Nostalgia-focused UK film channel Talking Pictures TV is launching today on the UK’s Freeview platform on channel 81 in partnership with Arqiva.

The SD channel will reach about 72% of the UK population at launch via the Arqiva Freeview multiplex.

Talking Pictures TV is a family-run business, which first began as a classic films DVD label under Renown Pictures Ltd. The company used its library of rights to UK films supplemented with acquired programming from broadcasters to launch a TV channel targeted at a maturte audience with an appetite for ‘Saturday morning pictures’ content shown in cinemas from the 1930s to the 1960s.

“Talking Pictures TV is the only broadcaster to offer TV viewers the opportunity to watch nostalgic films of this genre for free, on Freeview. By launching on Freeview, we’re excited to be able to deliver such a unique experience to a much broader audience of movie lovers, or those people who may discover a new interest in classic films through channel surfing and discovering Talking Pictures TV,” said Sarah Cronin-Stanley, Director Talking Pictures TV.

Mike Finchen, Director, DTT MuxCo at Arqiva said, “It’s great to be able to add another movie channel to Freeview. Freeview gives niche broadcasters, like Talking Pictures TV, the chance to not only air content to an audience who already knows and loves its brand, but to engage and expand its footprint with a broader set of viewers who may enjoy vintage films but weren’t aware of the service.”