Country | United Kingdom Ireland |
---|---|
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 576i ( 16:9 SDTV) |
Timeshift service | Blaze +1 |
Ownership | |
Owner | A&E Networks |
Sister channels | List of Sky UK channels |
History | |
Launched | 20 September 2016 |
Links | |
Website |
www |
Availability | |
Terrestrial | |
Freeview | Channel 64 Channel 81 (+1) |
Blaze is a British English language free-to-air television channel owned by A&E Networks UK, a joint venture between A&E Networks and Sky Group. This channel allows UK A&E to use its programming for the complete "lifecycle".
A+E Networks Italy launched its Blaze on Sky Italy on March 22, 2017. [1] In Spain and Portugal, a version of Blaze channel was launched by AMC Networks International in joint-venture with A&E Networks to replace the A&E channel on 18 April 2018, [2] but closed and replaced with AMC Break on 19 April 2022. [3]
The channels' programming is a best of A&E shows [4] Blaze was the first channel launched in the UK by A&E Networks that did not borrow its name from one of the company's U.S. channels. The abbreviation "A&E" is commonly used to mean " Accident and Emergency unit" in the UK, so the company decided not to use that brand for the channel. [5]
Having original only aired imported and rerun programming, Blaze commissioned its first original programme, Flipping Bangers, in 2017. [6] It premiered on 6 April 2018 as a part of the Car Night programming block. [7] A second season was later commissioned.
Elena Anniballi was appointed director of Blaze in April 2017. [8] In February 2019, A&E Networks appointed Dan Korn as head of Blaze. [5]