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New channel coming: 7mate

The Seven Network has announced a new digital channel, 7mate, to launch on September 25, aimed at men 16-49.

The Seven Network has announced a new digital channel, 7mate, to launch on September 25, aimed at men 16-49.

It will launch with high definition coverage of the AFL Grand Final.

Seven’s CEO, David Leckie said, “Seven is Australia’s most-watched network and our suite of multi-channels delivers more viewers than anyone else,.

“7mate is the next step in building on our leadership in broadcast television. 7mate is going to be great.

“The launch of 7mate delivers us a tremendous platform of channels targeting specific audience demographics – leveraging our primary channel’s success with women and 7TWO’s targeting of a 25+ adult audience.

“We’re delighted to be the first commercial network to move to three channels. With 7HD we were first into multi-channelling for the commercial networks and this is another significant step for our television business,” Mr Leckie said.

Programming Chief Tim Worner, said “We’re using the biggest sports event to launch 7mate but this new channel will be so much more than sport. We are after the most elusive demographic in media and we think we’ve got the offering to get them.”

New episodes of Family Guy, American Dad, Parks And Recreation and Last Comic Standing will lead the primetime comedy schedule. 3o Rock, How I Met Your Mother, That 70’s Show, Scrubs and Crank Yankers round out the laughs. New drama will include the sci-fi series Caprica and the adventure series Warehouse 13 and Stargate Atlantis. The reality slate will feature US ratings hits Jersey Shore and Pawn Stars, along with popular MTV series Punk’d and Gene Simmons Family Jewels, featuring the controversial KISS guitarist and his LA-based family, and Monster Garage with Jesse G. James. Factual on 7mate will see series such as Fifth Gear, The Universe, Life After People, The Boneyard, Ax Men, Jacked: Auto Theft Taskforce, Mega Movers, Mega Structures, Air Crash Investigations and Shockwave in primetime. 7mate will also be the home for first-run big movies for the blokes, including The Ringer, Strangers and Primeval.

Mr Worner said: “The channel is not designed to alienate female viewers. On the contrary we will be launching several initiatives that will see the female audience watching 7mate as well.”

To receive 7mate from 25 September, viewers will need to tune into channel 73 on an HD capable Digital TV, PVR or set top box. If you have an analogue television you will need to connect your old TV to an HD capable Digital set top box, PVR, or Digital recorder and tune in to channel 73.

A new website is online at yahoo7.com.au/tv

A spokesperson from Seven told TV Tonight: “7mate replaces 7HD, as this is all we can fit in our spectrum until 2013 or the end of Analog.

“It will be Broadcast as per 7HD currently is but will appear on channel 73.

“On Grand Final day 7mate will simulcast with Seven and then commence life as its own full time HD channel.”

This post updates.

194 Responses

  1. This has to be replacing 7HD (aka 70), yes?

    They wouldn’t really have enough bandwidth for two HD streams and two SD. I also don’t think the government legislation would allow it at this stage either, but my information is a bit old in that respect.

    Or is it not going to be a HD broadcast all the time? (a bit like Prime HD)

  2. sounds like this channel will mainly consist of repeated content
    and how can they even think about launching a new channel when the 7two schedule is still half empty (by that i mean there are many prime timeslots devoted to movies, reruns, etc – Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays)

  3. That’s a stupid name!!! What’s wrong with 7three?

    Despite what they say, that name Would alienate women. And what’s the story with 1970s style fonts?

    I suggest they go with 7three, and use 7mate as a slogan or catch cry.

  4. I agree with you koverstreet, what is this garbage? Seriously who are they trying to appeal to here? I won’t be watching anything on there, would rather shows from the 60’s-80’s myself, that’s why GO! is a much better offering.

  5. If Ch 7 will have 2 digital channels, Ch 9 has GO! & Ch 10 hasn’t announced their 2nd digital channel line-up.

    Hurry Up Ch 10, & bring forward your Ch 11 til the next 2 months & not next year!.

  6. Stupid name and ludocrous concept, they will definitely be alienating a lot of people with that channel. Sounds like a bogan channel to me. Sorry Seven you’ve lost me.

  7. Just when you think Seven couldn’t get any more bogan-ish. 7mate? Seriously??

    Aside from that the shows don’t do anything for me. Would rather see some classic tv both Australian and American from the 60’s – 80’s,then I’d watch.

  8. couldn’t resist the good old All Saints payout 😛

    There’s a handful of decent shows on here…Last Comic Standing is okay. Not surprised about HIMYM and Scrubs reruns, they’re Ch7’s equivalent to 2.5 men.
    looks like there’s a lot of US cable sci fi shows that will appeal to a very niche audience

    Won’t be watching anything on here though. Go! is still a lot better, content-wise.

  9. Caprica! Crank Yankers! Jersey Shore….! I love hating on 7 as much as possible but a channel with those three shows can’t be that bad.

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