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Fearnet

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Fearnet
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerNBCUniversal
History
Launched
  • October 31, 2006;17 years ago(2006-10-31)(VOD)
  • October 31, 2010;13 years ago(2010-10-31)(linear channel)
ClosedJuly 30, 2014;10 years ago(2014-07-30)
Links
WebsiteArchived official websiteat theWayback Machine(archive index)

Fearnetwas an Americandigital cabletelevision network,website andvideo on demandservice owned byComcast.The network specialized inhorrorentertainment programming through a mix of acquired and original series, and feature films.

Background and platforms

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Fearnet on Demand

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Fearnet launched on October 31, 2006 as avideo on demandservice,Fearnet On Demand.It was originally operated as ajoint venturebetweenComcast,Lions Gate Entertainment,andSony Pictures Entertainment.The on-demand service featured full-length horror, thriller, and suspense films as well as shorts,trailers,interviews, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. It was available to subscribers of Comcast,[1]Cox Communications,[2]Verizon FiOS,[1]AT&T U-verse,[3]Insight Communications,[4]Bresnan Communications,[5]Guadalupe Valley Systems,[5]Buckeye CableSystem,Time Warner Cable,Wave Broadband,Bright House Networks,[6]andCenturyLink.

Fearnet cable channel

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Fearnet launched as a linearcable channelon October 31, 2010. The network was originally scheduled to launch four weeks earlier on October 1,[7]but the date was pushed back as Fearnet was in the midst of carriage negotiations with cable providers to carry the linear channel. The Fearnet channel was available through Comcast (in select markets),Cox Communications,Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS,Bright House Networks,and CenturyLink. The network aired over 350 full-length feature films annually, as well as popular series (such asTales from the CryptandReaper) and original content (such asHolliston) and the weekendprogram blockcalled "Funhouse".

In September 2012, Fearnet became the first television network to offer Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI),[8]technology which decreases integration time from four weeks to as few as three days, and allows advertisers to refresh creative mid-campaign and track impressions on a daily basis.[9]

Fearnet.com

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The Fearnet website featured thriller, suspense, and horror films available forstreaming(with available content updated each week); other videos including movie trailers andshorts;daily news and reviews that covered all aspects of the genre; and sweepstakes, chats, and forums. The website had over 270,000 registered users.[citation needed]

Leadership and ownership changes

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In 2010, Peter Block (who launched the top-grossingSawhorror film franchise,and produced several other blockbuster horror and thriller films includingHostel,Cabin Fever,Open Water,andHouse at the End of the Street) was named president andgeneral managerof Fearnet, replacing Diane Robina.[10]In addition to his duties at Fearnet, Block continued to run his production company A Bigger Boat.[11]

Merger with Chiller

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On April 14, 2014, Comcast purchased Lions Gate Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment's stakes in Fearnet to acquire full ownership of the channel.[12]Comcast planned to fold Fearnet's programming into its existing horror- and thriller-focused networkChiller(owned by the company'sNBCUniversal Cableunit) and move some of Fearnet's programming toSyfy.[12]The merger occurred on July 30, 2014 at midnight, after an airing ofHouse of 1000 Corpses.Chiller itself, would cease operations on December 31, 2017.

Programming

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Original programming

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On April 3, 2012, Fearnet premiered their only original series,Holliston,a horror/comedy series starring real-life filmmakersAdam GreenandJoe Lynchas two college graduates chasing the dream of becoming successful horror filmmakers while struggling to make ends meet through their jobs at aBostonpublic-access cable channel.[13][14]The series was renewed for a second season which aired in 2013.[15]

Funhouse

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In August 2012, Fearnet debuted a two-hour program block on Saturday and Sunday mornings called "Funhouse", featuring reruns of science-fiction and horror series aimed at children, including:The Real Ghostbusters,Tales from the Cryptkeeper,Eerie, Indiana,andDark Oracle.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ab"FEARnet Rolls Out New Programming, Sets Up Carriage Deals".TV Week.May 2, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon November 12, 2013.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  2. ^"About Us - Cox Communications"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 12 November 2013.Retrieved25 December2014.
  3. ^"FEARnet - Cable Guide 2012 - Advertising Age".Archived fromthe originalon 28 October 2014.Retrieved25 December2014.
  4. ^"Insight Communications:: Digital Cable:: On Demand".Archived fromthe originalon 2013-08-24.Retrieved2013-11-12.
  5. ^abWalker, Hunter (June 21, 2010)."FearNet to Launch Cable Channel".The Wrap.Archivedfrom the original on January 21, 2014.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  6. ^"Bright House Networks - Find Your Channel Listings".Archived fromthe originalon 28 October 2014.Retrieved25 December2014.
  7. ^Barton, Steve (June 21, 2010)."FEARnet Launches Cable Channel in October".Dread Central.Archivedfrom the original on October 17, 2013.RetrievedMay 20,2014.
  8. ^Schley, Stewart (February 11, 2013)."It's alive! Dynamic VOD ads are up, running...and not all that scary".Zonewire.Archived fromthe originalon November 12, 2013.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  9. ^Sharma, Amol; Vranica, Suzanne (May 27, 2013)."On Demand: Quick Ad Switch".The Wall Street Journal.Archivedfrom the original on June 11, 2015.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
  10. ^"Saw Franchise Box Office History".The Numbers.Archivedfrom the original on 28 December 2014.Retrieved25 December2014.
  11. ^"Peter Block".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on 28 June 2014.Retrieved25 December2014.
  12. ^abAndreeva, Nellie (April 14, 2014)."Comcast Takes Full Control Of FEARnet, To Fold It In Into Chiller & Syfy".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on April 16, 2014.RetrievedApril 14,2014.
  13. ^Umstead, R. Thomas (August 8, 2011)."Fearnet Greenlights First Original Series".Broadcasting & Cable.Archivedfrom the original on November 2, 2013.RetrievedMay 20,2014.
  14. ^nnnoooiiissseee."Holliston (TV Series 2012– )".IMDb.Archivedfrom the original on 12 July 2015.Retrieved25 December2014.
  15. ^Goldberg, Lesley (April 17, 2012)."'Holliston', FEARnet's First Original Series, Renewed for Second Season ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on March 16, 2014.RetrievedApril 15,2014.
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