Ovation (Australian TV channel)

Ovation
CountryAustralia
HeadquartersNorth Ryde
Programming
Picture format576i (SDTV 16:9)
Ownership
OwnerOvation Management
History
Launched1 June 1997[1]
Closed27 February 2017
Links
Websiteovationchannel.com.au

The Ovation Channel was created by Optus Television to "present dance, opera, theatre, literature, jazz, classical music, design and even fashion, food and wine", modelling it on Canada's Bravo!, which formerly focused on such programming.[1][2]

In March 2006, management of the channel was given to Independent Entertainment, a company run by former SBS head Paddy Conroy under a deal that would see Optus retain ownership until 2009.[3]

In November 2009, it was announced that Foxtel had declined to continue broadcasting Ovation on its platform in 2010.[4] A few days later it was announced that a new arts and entertainment channel run by SBS Television would be replacing Ovation.[5] The following statement was taken from the Ovation Channel's website:

The Ovation Channel has been advised that from early next year it will no longer be broadcast on Foxtel. As a result Ovation will also not be available on Austar. In the meantime, Ovation will continue to provide you with the excellent arts and entertainment programming that you have enjoyed for over 13 years. Ovation thanks you, its large and loyal audience, and invites you to make a comment if you wish.

In March 2010 it was announced that the channel would become a la carte from 1 June on the Foxtel and Austar platforms.[6]

Ovation Channel was formerly available on SelecTV until the closure of its English service in late 2010.[7]

On 18 April 2012, AUSTAR stated that as of 31 May 2012 Ovation would cease to broadcast.[8] Ovation later announced that they would continue to be available via the internet, and in the coming months on LG, Samsung, and Panasonic smart TVs.[9]

Fetch TV ceased transmission of Ovation on 27 February 2017. Ovation now exists solely as an online shop, selling DVDs of programming previously broadcast on the channel.

Program categories include:

  • Art and design
  • Australian series
  • Ballet and dance
  • Classical music and opera
  • Concerts, jazz and song
  • Drama, theatre and film
  • Literature
  • People and profiles
  • Specials and musicals
  1. ^ a b Freeman, Jane (1 June 1997). "A festival in your living room". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 15. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  2. ^ Freeman, Jane (8 June 1997). "Applause for an arts adventure". The Sydney Morning Herald. Sydney, Australia: Fairfax Media. p. 13.
  3. ^ George, Sandy (28 March 2006). "Aussies' improved standing at Ovation". The Australian. p. 3.
  4. ^ Knox, David (28 November 2009). "Foxtel to axe Ovation Channel". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  5. ^ Knox, David (30 November 2009). "New SBS Arts channel to replace Ovation". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  6. ^ Knox, David (31 March 2010). "Ovation charts solo path". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
  7. ^ Chessell, James (20 August 2010). "Bruce Gordon's SelecTV to make changes". The Australian. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  8. ^ "AUSTAR News, About AUSTAR - AUSTAR Television". 'Austar'. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Ovation Media Home Page". 'Ovation'. Retrieved 21 April 2012.

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