TMF (UK & Ireland)

TMF
Launched 31 October 2002
Closed 26 October 2009
Owned by Viacom International Media Networks
Picture format 4:3, 576i (SDTV)
Country United Kingdom
Broadcast area Netherlands (original), Belgium, United Kingdom, Ireland
Replaced by Viva
Sister channel(s) MTV
MTV Two
MTV Base
MTV Dance
VH1
VH1 Classic
Website mtv.co.uk/tmf
Availability
Terrestrial
Freeview Channel 21
Satellite
Sky Channel 358
Cable
Virgin Media Channel 313
UPC Ireland Channel 709

TMF (The Music Factory) was a music video and entertainment channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel was owned by Viacom International Media Networks and was originally a Dutch channel. Formed after the two other TMF stations, which are based in mainland Europe, the channel was created to counter against EMAP's The Hits channel (now 4Music) on the new free-to-air digital terrestrial television service Freeview in 2002.

Upon launch, TMF's description was "TMF is designed to replicate the rhythms of the whole family, playing the best pop videos with the biggest pop stars to become the sound track to the British family life." However, it had since broadened its content to show programmes from its sister channels MTV, VH1, Nick Jr. and Comedy Central, so no longer relied on just music videos.

TMF broadcast on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media and as well as in some Irish cable packages. The channel was the most viewed music video related station in the UK, according to BARB ratings.

TMF was originally launched in May 1994 as Channel V Europe on cable TMF had a new look on screen graphics in March 2008 to match the other British MTV channels. The previous on screen graphics were used since July 2005 and the original on screen graphics were used since October 2002. The original DOG was on the top right of the screen, it has been moved to the top left of the screen since July 2005. The new look TMF still used the old pre-2007 TMF logo whereas both the Dutch and Belgian TMF channels adapted the new logo. The DOG on music programmes was TMF: Music.

Shows on TMF

MTV/VH1 programming

TMF initially launched as a non-stop music channel, though from early 2004 began to show various programmes from MTV and VH1.

Nickelodeon programming

Noggin started broadcasting in 2009 after replacing the former Nick Jr. on TMF block. The final set of programmes shown were Go Diego Go!, Dora the Explorer, Little Bear and Maggie & The Ferocious Beast. It was a children's television slot broadcast on TMF from 07:00 to 09:00 daily.

Nick Jr on TMF had replaced the strand Noggin on 25 September 2006, but its programming has remained identical. It used the same ident and presentation package as its main sister, Nick Jr. The reason for the change is yet unknown, but could possibly due to the fact the Nick Jr brand is more well known in the United Kingdom than Noggin. Programmes shown included LazyTown, Dora the Explorer, Thomas & Friends, and The Backyardigans amongst others.

Noggin was the first commercial children's television channel launched on 30 January 2006 on TMF to air on the UK's DTT platform, Freeview, followed by CITV, then lastly Playhouse Disney on ABC1.

Repeat airings of Nickelodeons UK Kids Choice Awards 2008 were scheduled on TMF and MTV Hits, in September 2008.[1]

Comedy Central programming

In January 2007 TMF began showing comedies broadcast on Paramount Comedy, in a strand entitled Comedy Classics. These have included the likes of The Wonder Years, Ally McBeal and Cheers, as well as various Paramount films. During The Friday Movie strand, the channel's DOG changed to an enlarged version, with a re-arranged name displaying "TFM".

Own programming

In August 2005, TMF commissioned two new shows called Pop the Q and Game One. In early 2006 came The Loaded Hour (a male-orientated themed show named after the magazine sponsor, fronted by Kate Edmondson), and in the summer a new live show called TMF Live (presented again by Edmondson, as well as TMF News anchor Carole Machin). With the exception of Pop the Q, none of the shows had a second series.

Replacement and closure

On 14 October 2009, MTV Networks announced plans to replace TMF with a new music and comedy channel. Viva replaced TMF on 26 October 2009.[2][3][4] The final music video that was shown on TMF was Whitney Houston's "Million Dollar Bill" at around 5:55am on 26 October 2009. After this, the channel showed its Noggin children's strand, which has been running since TMF launched. This then faded into a promo consisting of music videos at 9am. The last video played on the promo programme Up Your Viva[n 1] was Cheryl Cole's "Fight For This Love" at about 3:55pm on 26 October 2009.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Viva officially launched at 4pm, therefore Up Your Video was shown on TMF.

References

  1. ↑ Daniel Kilkelly. "Dannii Minogue to host Nickelodeon awards". DigitalSpy.co.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  2. ↑ Plunkett, John (16 October 2009). "MTV replaces TMF with Viva". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
  3. ↑ "Viva". Retrieved 2009-10-14.
  4. ↑ "TMF". Retrieved 2009-10-14.
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