History
The Movie Channel began in 1990 as one of the channels of British Satellite Broadcasting, a consortium formed in 1986 by Granada Television, Pearson, Virgin, Anglia Television and Amstrad. Prior to its launch, BSB signed an exclusive first-run deal with UIP Pay TV (which distributed Paramount, Universal and MGM/UA releases). One of its first film premieres was the James Bond film, The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton.
In 1990, BSB and Sky Television suffered heavy losses and merged, operating as the newly-formed British Sky Broadcasting. The Movie Channel, along with The Sports Channel, remained on air, keeping its name.
Read more about this topic: The Movie Channel (UK)
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