Pay television , also known as subscription television , premium television or, when referring to an individual service, a premium channel , refers to subscription -based television services, usually provided by multichannel television providers, but also increasingly via digital terrestrial and streaming television . In the United States, subscription television began in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the form of encrypted analog over-the-air broadcast television which could be decrypted with special equipment. The concept rapidly expanded through the multi-channel transition and into the post-network era . Other parts of the world beyond the United States, such as France and Latin America have also offered encrypted analog terrestrial signals available for subscription.
52-677: Nickelodeon (commonly shortened to Nick ) is a British pay television network. On 1 September 1993, a localised version of the American channel launched in the United Kingdom and launched at a later date in Ireland. In the United Kingdom, the channel is available on Sky , Virgin Media , and TalkTalk Plus TV . In Ireland, the channel is available on Virgin Media Ireland , Eir TV and Sky Ireland . It
104-469: A trial period , often one to three months, though there have been rare instances of free trials for pay services that last up to one year for newer subscribers to that provider's television service. Pay television has become popular with cable and satellite television . Pay television services often, at least two to three times per year, provide free previews of their services, in order to court potential subscribers by allowing this wider audience to sample
156-406: A crude decrypting of the over-the-air television signal and a decoding box, but never caught on for use at that time. It took another four decades when cable broadcasters started using pay-per-view on a widespread basis. "Free" variants are free-to-air (FTA) and free-to-view (FTV); however, FTV services are normally encrypted and decryption cards either come as part of an initial subscription to
208-627: A focus on their parent companies' libraries, with HBO Now replaced by HBO Max (now Max) in 2020 (which adds content from other Warner Bros. properties and third-parties, and would also be included with existing HBO subscriptions via television providers), and Showtime formally merging with Paramount+ in 2023. Canadian premium service The Movie Network similarly merged with the CraveTV service owned by parent company Bell Media in 2018. Pay-per-view (PPV) services are similar to subscription-based pay television services in that customers must pay to have
260-513: A lower subscription fee. These are called "mini-pay" channels (a term also used for smaller scale commercial-free pay television services) and are often sold as a part of a package with numerous similarly priced channels. Usually, however, the regular pricing for premium channels ranges from just under $ 10 to near $ 25 per month per suite, with lower prices available via bundling options with cable or satellite providers, or special limited offers which are available during free preview periods or before
312-417: A main flagship channel is accompanied by secondary services with distinct schedules focusing on specific genres and audiences (such as multiplexes focusing more on "classic" films, or family-oriented programming), time shifting , or brand licensing deals (such as channels focusing specifically on Disney films , or content from U.S. pay television brands if they do not specifically run their own network in
364-535: A mix of original series, films, and specials. The shift towards SVOD has resulted in increasing competition within the sector, with media conglomerates having launched their own services (such as Disney+ , Paramount+ , Peacock , and Disney's acquisition of the majority of Hulu ) to compete, and existing premium networks such as HBO ( HBO Now ) and Showtime launching direct-to-consumer versions of their existing services to appeal to cord cutters . HBO and Showtime later absorbed their DTC offerings into wider services with
416-450: A pay television bouquet – in other words, an offer of pay-TV channels – or can be purchased for a one-time cost. FTA and FTV systems may still have selective access. ABC Australia is one example, as much of its programming content is free-to-air except for National Rugby League (NRL) games, which are encrypted. Sky Kids (TV channel) Sky Kids is a British and Irish children's pay television channel owned and operated by
468-689: A restriction as a few providers optionally sell that service without requiring a Showtime subscription. Unlike other cable networks, premium services are almost always subscribed to a la carte , meaning that one can, for example, subscribe to HBO without subscribing to Showtime (in Canada, there are slight modifications, as most providers include U.S. superstations – such as WAPA-TV – with their main premium package by default). However, subscribing to an "individual" service automatically includes access to all of that service's available multiplex channels and, in some cases, access to content via video-on-demand (in
520-425: A seasonal package. They are typically the most expensive type of pay services, generally running in the range of $ 35 to $ 50 per month. Some pay services also offer pornographic films ; Cinemax was well known for carrying a late-night block of softcore films and series known as "Max After Dark"—a reputation that led to the network often being nicknamed "Skinemax" by viewers. Cinemax phased out this programming in
572-540: A short time during the 1980s, and unlike other general-interest pay services accepted outside advertising for broadcast during its sports telecasts), Preview , SelecTV and ON TV in the late 1970s, but those services disappeared as competition from cable television expanded during the 1980s. In Australia , Foxtel , Optus Television and TransACT are the major pay television distributors, all of which provide cable services in some metropolitan areas , with Foxtel providing satellite service for all other areas where cable
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#1733203009240624-401: A specific market). Typically, these services are bundled together with the main channel at no additional charge, and cannot be purchased separately. Depending on local regulations, pay television services generally have more lenient content standards because of their relatively narrower distribution, and not being subject to pressure from sponsors to tone down content. As a result, programming
676-481: Is Canal+ and its scrambled services, which operated in France from 1984 to the 2011 closedown of analogue television, Spain from 1990 to 2005 and Poland from 1995 to 2001. Some U.S. television stations launched pay services (known simply as "subscription television" services) such as SuperTV , Wometco Home Theater , PRISM (which principally operated as a cable service, only being simultaneously carried over-the-air for
728-487: Is most synonymous with premium entertainment services focused on films or general entertainment programming such as, in the United States, Cinemax , HBO , MGM+ , Showtime , and Starz , but such services can also include those devoted to sports , as well as adult entertainment . In contrast to most other multichannel television broadcasters, which depend on advertising and carriage fees as their sources of revenue,
780-701: Is not available. Austar formerly operated as a satellite pay service, until it merged with Foxtel and SelecTV . The major distributors of pay television in New Zealand are Sky Network Television on satellite and Vodafone on cable. In the 2010s, over-the-top subscription video on demand (SVOD) services distributed via internet video emerged as a major competitor to traditional pay television, with services such as Amazon Video , Hulu , and Netflix gaining prominence. Similarly to pay television services, their libraries include acquired content (which can not only include films, but acquired television series as well), and
832-731: Is the first Nickelodeon feed launched overseas. Nickelodeon was launched in the UK on 1 September 1993 exclusively on Sky as part of the Sky Multichannels package, originally airing for 12 hours from 7am to 7pm. and showing both cartoons and live action series. The first cartoon was James the Cat . Nick@Nite was also planned from early 1994 but never implemented; off-air Nickelodeon would air static logos, schedule information and teletext . From November 1995, it started to timeshare with Paramount Channel . The British version of Nick Jr. also launched on
884-717: Is typically aired with limited to no edits for time or, where applicable, mature content such as graphic violence , profanity , nudity , and sexual activity . As premium television services are commonly devoid of traditional commercial advertising, breaks between programming typically include promotions for upcoming programs , and interstitial segments (such as behind-the-scenes content, interviews, and other feature segments). Some sports-based pay services, however, may feature some commercial advertising, particularly if they simulcast sporting events that are broadcast by advertiser-supported television networks. In addition, most general interest or movie-based pay services do not adhere to
936-646: The Nicktoons spin off sister channel Nicktoonsters . Nick Jr. +1 launched on 2 October 2012, replacing Nicktoons Replay, which closed the previous day. The timeshift channel is available on Nicktoons Replay's previous space. In 2004, The channel launched an Irish advertising feed for Nickelodeon. An Irish feed for Nick Jr. was launched in 2006. On 13 September 2012, it was announced that Sky would be launching an Irish feed of NickToons on 16 October 2012. All Nickelodeon channels available in Ireland now host Irish advertising and sponsorship. On 18 August 2008, Nicktoonsters
988-518: The Sky Group , a subsidiary of Comcast and launched on 13 February 2023 as the first in-house Sky-branded children's network. The concept of a Sky-branded children's television channel was first proposed in 1986 as part of Rupert Murdoch 's bid to acquire British Satellite Broadcasting , a British direct broadcast satellite company which merged with Sky plc to form British Sky Broadcasting (then Sky Limited, now Sky UK ). The Children's Channel
1040-535: The Wimbledon tennis tournament. Specialty pay sports channels also exist—often focusing on international sports considered niche to domestic audiences (such as, in the United States, cricket ), and are typically sold at a higher expense than traditional premium services. Out-of-market sports packages in North America are multi-channel pay services carrying professional or collegiate sporting events which are sold in
1092-555: The business cycle , some broadcasters try to balance them with more stable income from subscriptions. Some providers offer services owned by the same company in a single package. For example, American satellite provider DirecTV offers the Encore channels along with the Starz multiplex (both owned by Lionsgate 's Starz Inc. ) in its "Starz Super Pack"; and The Movie Channel , Flix and SundanceTV (the latter of which continues to be sold in
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#17332030092401144-586: The 2010s, citing that it did not align with its current focus on action programming, and that internet porn and the amount of sexual content in other mainstream premium series (such as Game of Thrones ) made a specific block for such content redundant. Specialized channels dedicated to pornographic films also exist, that carry either softcore adult programs (such as Playboy TV ), or more hardcore content (such as The Erotic Network and Hustler TV ). Pay television channels come in different price ranges. Many channels carrying advertising combine this income with
1196-467: The DirecTV package despite Showtime Networks no longer owning Sundance, that channel is now owned by AMC Networks ) along with Showtime in its "Showtime Unlimited" package; Cinemax and its multiplex networks, in turn, are almost always packaged with HBO (both owned by Warner Bros. Discovery ). Though selling premium services that are related by ownership as a package is common, that may not always be
1248-569: The Nickelodeon agreement had contained a non-compete clause that otherwise restricted Sky and Comcast from launching a children's television network while still holding a stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd. On 22 November 2022, Sky UK announced the launch of a linear and commercial-free Sky Kids channel in February the following year. Original programmes for the channel announced at launch include
1300-457: The US market first. On 1 September 1999, a one-hour time shift of Nickelodeon was initially launched on Sky. It is available on Sky 620, Virgin Media Ireland 605 and Virgin Media 713. The channel originally launched as Nick Replay but was rebranded as Nick +1 on 2 October 2012. A one-hour timeshift of Nicktoons, Nicktoons Replay, was also available on Sky channel 630. The timeshift channel replaced
1352-560: The Underwoods (2021-). Apart from local continuity programming including Nickelodeon UK Kids' Choice Awards , Camp Orange and Nickelodeon Slimefest , Nickelodeon UK mainly airs imported programming from the US network. House of Anubis (2011-2013) were created in the UK, but were produced for the American channel and premiered in the US market first. Traditionally, the Kids' Choice Awards in
1404-470: The United Kingdom and Ireland before 2007 included only an airing of the original ceremony from the US. Nickelodeon UK from then on held a full ceremony for two years in 2007 and 2008 which included a fully local slate of categories and was held at the ExCeL London . No ceremony or UK-specific awards were held in 2009 after network budget cuts, and since 2010 only a few local categories are voted by children in
1456-624: The United Kingdom and Ireland, which are awarded each year by Nickelodeon presenters as continuity during the airing of the American ceremony on a one-day delay. Nickelodeon Land is a section of the Blackpool Pleasure Beach resort in Blackpool which is a six-acre (2.4 ha) section of the park featuring themed Nickelodeon attractions and souvenirs. The Nickelodeon Land section of the park opened in April 2011. Pay television The term
1508-733: The aforementioned leniency in content standards, they too can contain content that is more mature than those of other cable channels or television networks . These series also tend to be high-budget and aim for critical success in order to attract subscribers: notable premium series, such as HBO 's Curb Your Enthusiasm , Game of Thrones , Sex and the City , and The Sopranos , and Showtime 's Dexter , Homeland , and Weeds , have achieved critical acclaim and have won various television awards. Some premium channels also broadcast television specials , which most commonly consist of concerts and concert films , documentaries , stand-up comedy , and in
1560-419: The broadcast decrypted for viewing, but usually only entail a one-time payment for a single or time-limited viewing. Programs offered via pay-per-view are most often movies or sporting events, but may also include other events, such as concerts and even softcore adult programs. In the U.S., the initial concept and technology for pay-per-view for broadcast television was first developed in the early 1950s, including
1612-528: The channel rebranded as Nick SpongeBob, airing SpongeBob SquarePants and The Patrick Star Show , then in October 2022, Nick SpongeBob changed to Nick Horrid Henry, only airing Horrid Henry , then changed back to Nicktoons in November 2022. Nicktoons UK mainly airs imported programming from the US network. It's Pony (2020-2022) was created in the UK, but was produced for the American channel and premiered in
Nickelodeon (British and Irish TV channel) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1664-529: The channel's first day, broadcasting during school hours. Live presentation followed in 1994, branded as Nick Alive! , which was soon moved into its own studio in the London Trocadero , and relocated to the station's new headquarters on Rathbone Place in 1995. In 1996, Nickelodeon reached an agreement with CBBC to show a block of CBBC programmes for one hour before and one hour after Nick Jr., called CBBC on Nickelodeon . This block lasted until 1999. Nick Jr.
1716-437: The channels were removed from Telewest on 17 December, leading to many Telewest customers leaving for Sky and NTL, while Telewest offered either a free upgrade to Disney Channel or to Sky Movies to prevent loss of customers. By the next year, however, Nickelodeon successfully renegotiated with Telewest and the channels were restored. In February 2010, Nickelodeon adopted the worldwide rebrand. The TeenNick block also adopted
1768-428: The common top and bottom of the hour scheduling of other cable channels and terrestrial broadcasters. As such, programs often air using either conventional scheduling or have airtimes in five-minute increments (for example, 7:05 a.m. or 4:40 p.m.); since such channels broadcast content without in-program break interruptions, this sometimes leads to extended or abbreviated breaks between programs, depending on when
1820-644: The form of a conventional VOD television service, and in some cases, a companion on-demand streaming service as well). Most pay television providers also offer a selection of premium services (for example, the HBO, Showtime and Starz packages) in one bundle at a greatly reduced price than it would cost to purchase each service separately, as an inducement for subscribers to remain with their service provider or for others to induce subscribers into using their service. Similarly, many television providers offer general interest or movie-based premium channels at no additional charge for
1872-457: The identity of the channel programs. In April 2010, Nicktoons and Nick Jr. took on their rebrand logos. Nickelodeon HD was launched in October 2010 on Sky. Later, it was picked up by Virgin Media . Since 1 January 2019, it broadcasts for 24 hours a day. On 31 October 2022, Sky sold its stake in Nickelodeon UK, including Nickelodeon, to Paramount. On 24 July 2023, Nickelodeon rebranded to
1924-454: The launch of a network's prestige series. However, some other channels, such as sports and adult networks may ask for monthly pricing that may go as high as near $ 50 a month. There are also premium television services which are priced significantly higher than the mini-pay channels, but they compensate for their higher price by carrying little or no advertising and also providing a higher quality program output. As advertising sales are sensitive to
1976-467: The majority of pay television services rely almost solely on monthly subscription fees paid by individual customers. As a result, pay television outlets are most concerned with offering content that can justify the cost of the service, which helps to attract new subscribers, and retain existing subscribers. Many pay television services consist of multiple individual channels, referred to as " multiplex " services (in reference to multiplex cinemas ), where
2028-468: The networks with brand owner MTV Networks International ( now Paramount International Networks ) having 60% stake. Prior to the launch of Sky Kids, a Sky Kids Magazine was briefly available for subscribers of Sky Magazine . A Sky Kids app was launched on 30 March 2016 featuring On Demand content specifically for children for Sky customers. On 31 October 2022, Sky sold their full stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd. to Paramount Networks UK & Australia ;
2080-494: The original term of license agreements with a distributor may also be broadcast as "sub-runs", in which a service holds rights to film long after the conclusion of a distribution agreement (under this arrangement, the pay service that originally licensed the rights to a particular film title, or one other than that which had held rights, may hold the broadcast rights through a library content deal). Many general interest premium channels also produce original television series . Due to
2132-587: The past, theatrical plays . Sports programming is also featured on some premium services; HBO was historically known for its broadcasts of boxing , while Showtime and Epix also carry mixed martial arts events. Some general interest premium channels have aired other professional sporting events in the past: HBO for example, carried games from the National Hockey League (NHL), National Basketball Association (NBA) and American Basketball Association (ABA) in its early years, and from 1975 to 1999 aired
Nickelodeon (British and Irish TV channel) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2184-521: The previous program concludes and when the start time of the next program is. The only universal variation to this is prime time , where the main channel in each pay service's suite usually schedules films to start on the hour. Films comprise much of the content seen on most pay television services, particularly those with a general entertainment format and those that focus exclusively on films . Services often obtain rights to films through exclusive agreements with film distributors . Films acquired during
2236-505: The same day, Nickelodeon broadcasting from 6 am until 10 pm. However, analogue satellite and analogue cable services continued to shutdown the channel at 7 pm each day until Nickelodeon closed on analogue satellite on 30 April 2001. Nicktoons was launched in the UK and Ireland in July 2002. During the end of 2004, Telewest failed to reach an agreement to broadcast Nickelodeon, Nicktoons and Nick Jr. on their services after 2005 and
2288-578: The service for a period of days or weeks; these are typically scheduled to showcase major special event programming, such as the pay cable premiere of a blockbuster feature film, the premiere (either a series or season premiere ) of a widely anticipated or critically acclaimed original series or occasionally, a high-profile special (such as a concert). Subscription services transmitted via analogue terrestrial television have also existed, to varying degrees of success. The most known example of such service in Europe
2340-465: The situation: for example, in the United States, Cinemax and Encore are optionally sold separately from or in a single package with their respective parent networks HBO and Starz, depending on the service provider. The Movie Channel and Flix meanwhile, are usually sold together with Showtime (all three channels are owned by Paramount Global ); though subscribers are required to purchase Showtime in order to receive Flix, The Movie Channel does not have such
2392-549: The splat, just 4 months and days after United States , Israel and Italy's rebrand. Nickelodeon's UK operations was owned by Nickelodeon UK Ltd., which originally operated as a 50-50 joint venture between MTV Networks International and Kidsprog Ltd., a subsidiary of BSkyB formed solely for the launch of the channel. By 2005-2006 the stake was altered so MNA owned 60% and Sky owned 40%. On October 31, 2022, Sky sold its stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd., to Paramount International Networks, meaning they now own full control. The sale of
2444-410: The stake was so Sky could enter the children's market on their own with the launch of a stand-alone Sky Kids network, which they were not allowed to do due to the Nickelodeon joint-venture. Nick Jr. first appeared in the UK and Ireland on 1 September 1993, between 9 am – 12 pm on weekday school days on the main Nickelodeon UK channel. It soon branched out to 10am - 2:30pm. In July 1999 it
2496-529: Was announced Nick Jr would be given its own channel and was launched as a 14-hour (initially 13) standalone channel on analogue and digital pay TV on 1 September 1999 and subsequently the block was taken off Nickelodeon in July 2000 (but shortly reintroduced in 2005). Nick Jr. originally timeshared with MTV Dance when that channel launched in early 2001, though this ceased some time ago, with MTV Dance having gone 24 hours since then. Nick Jr. itself has broadcast for 24 hours since 2010. On 24 April 2006, Nick Jr. Too
2548-518: Was eventually taken up by BSB after a failed attempt to acquire a 50% stake in TCC, Sky launched Fox Kids in 1996. A stake in the channel, which later rebranded in 2004 as Jetix , eventually reduced over time until it was fully acquired by The Walt Disney Company , who renamed the channel Disney XD in 2009. Sky also previously held a 40% stake in the 1993-launched the British venture of Nickelodeon and carried
2600-540: Was launched under the name Nick Jr. 2. It broadcasts Nick Jr. shows on a different schedule from the main Nick Jr. channel. It has broadcast for 24 hours since 2015. Nick Jr. Too is sometimes being renamed as Nick Jr. Peppa, and Nick Jr. Paw Patrol. On 22 July 2002, Nicktoons was launched, airing Nicktoons , as well as other cartoons, throughout the day. It has broadcast for 24 hours since 1 January 2019. in September 2022,
2652-569: Was launched. Its licence first appeared on the Ofcom website in September 2007 (initially named "Nicktoons 2", and changed to Nicktoonsters on 3 July 2008). The channel closed on 31 July 2009 and the next day was replaced by Nicktoons Replay. Over the years the network has produced series including Genie in the House (2006–2009), Summer in Transylvania (2010–2012), Goldie’s Oldies (2021) and Overlord and
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#17332030092402704-415: Was taken off the main channel in July 2000, after launching its own channel the year before, and the increase of subscribers to Sky Digital and cable. By August 1997, Nickelodeon started signing on at 6am. When Sky Digital was launched in 1998, it was in the original channel line-up on Astra 2A . On 1 September 1999, two sister channels were launched, Nick Jr. and Nickelodeon Replay (a +1 hour timeshift). On
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