A+E launching new free UK channel brand

Dean Possenniskie

A+E Networks UK is to launch a free-to-air channel later this year.

The channel name and content line-up have not been revealed, but will be in the summer, the broadcaster said in a press release.

This will be A+E’s second EMEA FTAchannel launch this year, coming after the debut of Lifetime in Turkey in April.

“We are thrilled to build on our strong UK business with the launch of a new A+E channel to the 20 million households on the Freeview platform,” said A+E’s managing director, EMEA, Dean Possenniskie.

“Under the accomplished leadership of Heather Jones, general manager, UK, we look forward to bringing our unique content to new audiences in one of the biggest media markets in the world.”

Jones was promoted to her UK post in January last year, while Possenniskie replaced Tom Davidson in EMEA in July.

A+E’s UK channel portfolio comprisesHistory, Lifetime, Crime + Investigation and H2, all of which are distributed via pay TV platforms.