Ovation Network Returning To Time Warner Cable
Ovation will be back on Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks systems and has committed to carry 200 or more hours of original programming dedicated to the arts in 2014, 250 hours in 2015 and 300 each year after. The arts-focused network was the guinea pig for TWC boss Glenn Britt’s plan to drop poor-performing networks as a way to control costs, dumping the arts-focused network when its previous carriage contract expired at the end of 2012. “Ovation is among the poorest performing networks, and is viewed by less than 1% of our customers on any given day,” the No. 2 cable operator said when it announced it was cutting off Ovation. “We’ve paid more than $10 million in carriage fees to Ovation over the past several years. They’ve had ample opportunity to improve the ratings and the content, and have failed to deliver.” One of TWC’s biggest beefs with Ovation was the lack of original programming. But the network has learned its lesson since: the commitment to the original hours comes after it launched an in-house production studio Ovation Studios. Among the new offerings will be a James Franco-hosted series James Franco Presents which premieres next month.
Related: James Franco To Host Show About Art On Ovation
New York City, October 16, 2013 – Time Warner Cable and Ovation today announced they reached an agreement to bring Ovation back to Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks customers’ lineups on January 1, 2014. Under the new agreement, the network has committed to deliver 200 more hours of original programming dedicated to the arts in the next year. By 2015, Ovation has committed to carry 250 hours per year of new and original programming growing to 300 hours for each subsequent year of the term.
Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks had dropped Ovation from its lineup on January 1 of this year citing the network’s small amount of original arts programming. Since then, Ovation has significantly increased its original programming, including high-profile series such as A YOUNG DOCTOR’S NOTEBOOK, starring Jon Hamm and Daniel Radcliffe, and committed to substantial growth in the future. The company has also launched an in-house production unit, Ovation Studios.
”We’re pleased to reach an agreement with Ovation that will deliver a much better value for our customers,” said Melinda Witmer, Executive Vice President, Chief Video and Content Officer for Time Warner Cable. “Time Warner Cable has a responsibility to select unique, valuable and compelling options for our customers, and Ovation’s recommitment to its mission as an arts channel strengthens and differentiates their programming. We always look for opportunities to work with networks to enhance our diverse channel lineup.”
“After losing carriage on TWC, we never stopped listening to what they had to say, and responded to it. Our new ‘Art Everywhere’ branding is a reflection of that. We were intent on restoring Time Warner Cable’s belief in Ovation. Consumers demand that the arts belong on TV and Ovation has shown that the arts can encompass many things — from theater, film and music to graffiti, fashion and tattooing,” said Chad Gutstein, Chief Operating Officer for Ovation. “We have committed to presenting over 750 hours of original arts programming over the next several years and are thrilled that TWC have responded by reaffirming their support of the arts and Ovation.”
Related stories
Time Warner Cable Plans To Drop Ovation
Will LIN TV Stations Go Dark On Time Warner Cable?
Time Warner Cable Considers Axing Additional Channels After Dropping Ovation
Get more from Deadline.com: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
