ABC-1 to leave Freeview
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV It has been confirmed today that there will be another change to the Freeview line-up.
The ABC-1 channel is to be closed by Disney, as they have "have re-focused sharply" on their main brand, and are to let ABC-1 "move on".
The channel, which played classic US comedies such as Home Improvement in a daytime slot, cannot extend into the evening because the Freeview multiplexes are full.
The company said "no decision" has been taken about the future of the 6am-6pm slot on Multiplex A - it could be used for another Disney product, or if it will be sold on is.
The "Virgin 1" channel, which is due to replace "F-TN" on multiplex D will only have evening hours unless Virgin can buy extra capacity. However, it is not possible to run a channel on different multiplexes at different times of day, so even if ABC-1's capacity is sold to Virgin 1, it will still mean moving UKTV Bright Ideas to multiplex A to make a 24-hour slot for Virgin 1 on multiplex D.
(There is wild internet speculation, denied by UKTV that UKTV Bright Ideas will become a daytime UKTV G2 on Freeview.)