NBC U Converting Trio to Broadband

[cablewithaview]

Ring out the old, ring in the new.

On Jan. 1, NBC Universal will convert arts and culture proponent Trio from a linear service to a broadband initiative, accessible at BravoTV.com (bravotv.com).

At launch, NBC U officials said broadband users would be able to screen such fare as Brilliant, But Cancelled, AwardsMania and Uncensored. It was unclear, though, how much present and archival Trio content would be available when the broadband service debuts.

Also unknown: what will become of Trio’s current distribution base of 8.8 million homes. Speculation has NBC U’s newest entry -- mystery and suspense network Sleuth -- grabbing some of that carriage.

A Trio spokeswoman declined to comment about distribution prospects.

Lauren Zalaznick, president of Bravo and Trio, was not immediately available for comment.

Trio, along with USA Network and Sci Fi Channel, was part of NBC’s acquisition of Vivendi Universal Entertainment -- a deal that was finalized in May 2004.


http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6285831.html?display=Breaking+News

 

[cablewithaview]

NBC Universal Shutting Down Trio Network

NEW YORK - NBC Universal is shutting down Trio, but will keep the cheeky pop culture television network alive as a broadband offering.

Trio, perhaps best known for show business documentaries and its "Brilliant, But Cancelled" series resurrecting short-lived TV shows, is currently available in only 9 million of the nation's 110 million television homes. It will sign off at the end of the year, NBC said Monday.

Its fate was effectively sealed last year when bought by NBC Universal, which also owns the similar and more widely distributed Bravo. Trio was subsequently dropped by DirecTV, taking away more than half of its distribution, and prospects for going wider were dim.

But it will relaunch on Jan. 1 as a broadband network under the BravoTV.com banner, a prospect that would have been laughable only months ago but now is a serious business prospect. MTV, VH1, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon have all recently started their own online networks.

Trio wasn't able to say on Monday which of its programs would make the move to broadband, since use of any shows on another platform must be negotiated with the people who made them.

"It will feel like the channel," said Lauren Zalaznick, Trio president.

Zalaznick said she hoped some of Trio's documentaries, including ones about show business flops and the lives of
Elvis Presley impersonators, could make the move to broadband.

There are no plans to keep any of Trio's programming available on traditional television after it is shut down, but Zalaznick said it was possible some could find its way to Bravo if it proves popular on the Web.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051122/ap_en_tv/tv_trio_online_2