.tv (TV channel)

Former British television channel the BSkyB television channel the earlier BSB television channel also called The Computer Channel The Computer Channel (BSB) the country code top-level domain for Tuvalu .tv .tv Tvchannel_logo_001.gif 1 September 1996 2 September 2001 British Sky Broadcasting The Computer Channel(1996–1998) United Kingdom PremPlus (at time of closure) .tv (formerly The Computer Channel, pronounced as Dot TV and referred to onscreen as .tv - the technology channel) was a British television channel dedicated to technology. .tv was owned and operated by British Sky Broadcasting. The channel was first broadcast as The Computer Channel and launched on 1 September 1996, broadcasting between 18:00 and 20:00. It timeshared with Granada Good Life when it launched a month later. The broadcasting hours were increased to 6p.m.10p.m. when the channel started broadcasting on British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite platform, Sky Digital in 1998, then midday–midnight the following year. In 1999, the channel interviewed then-Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. Towards the end of its run, .tv implemented several new shows heavily sponsored by online technology store dabs.com, promoting products which were available at that site. .tv was closed on 2 September 2001 because of low audience ratings. Most of the programmes were produced by Prospect Pictures and Illumina. Programming Buyers GuideA 20-minute weekday show that reviewed gadgets (such as PDAs and printers), computers and software (such as video games, operating systems and photo manipulation). Presented by Will Hanrahan. Guests included: Lydia Jones, Chris Long, and Ashley Jones. Chips with EverythingA 20-minute weekday show presented by Kate Russell with guests trying to answer computer-related questions that were sent in by viewers. Guests included: Roger Gann, James Morris, Simon Smart, Nigel Whitfield, Guy Clapperton, and Charles Bocock. Ex MachinaA 30-minute weekly show that went behind the scenes of digitally produced entertainment (video games, films and television programmes). Game Over (originally Games World)A variable-format video game magazine show. The show was presented by Andy Collins18 August 2000 Andy Collins - Presenters - .tv http://www.tvchannel.co.uk/tv_shows/presenters/collins/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20000818183722/http://www.tvchannel.co.uk/tv_shows/presenters/collins/ 18 August 2000 20 September 2022 and co-presented by Matt Berry, Richard Pitt, Helen Hartley & Kellie Priestley.Game Over, DotTV, E3. 8min version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_3H4elIBFQ YouTube 25 May 2008 20 September 2022 en In November 2000, Matt Cuttle took over as the sole presenter.7 May 2001 Matt Cuttle - Presenters - .tv http://www.tvchannel.co.uk/tv_shows/presenters/cuttle/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010507143920/http://www.tvchannel.co.uk/tv_shows/presenters/cuttle/ 7 May 2001 20 September 2022 Games RepublicA question-based video game quiz show, presented by Trevor and Simon. 404 Not FoundAn offbeat news and reviews show with regular viewer letters and emails, written and hosted by Dave Green and Danny O'Brien, with additional scriptwriting by James Wallis. Global VillageA 30-minute weekly show that looked at how technology was revolutionising our homes from an international perspective. Presented by Will Hanrahan.http://www.hanrahanmedia.com/ Hanrahan Media 2019-01-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20010202030100/http://www.hanrahanmedia.com/ 2001-02-02 dead MasterclassA 20-minute weekday show that gave tutorials on how to use features from programs like Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop and Nero Burning ROM. For the majority of the run, the show was presented by Richard Topping, affectionately known as "Toppers." He left the show to pursue a successful career in writing. His replacement was comedian Marc Haynes, who fronted the show until the channel closed. NexusA puzzle game show hosted by Brian Blessed. Buyers Guide, Masterclass and Chips with Everything were repeated as omnibus editions (the weekday editions broadcast as one programme) on weekends. References External links Archived website Video game coverage–centric potted history of the channel IMDb page for an episode of Buyers Guide featuring Bryn Firkins Category:Defunct television channels in the United Kingdom Category:Sky television channels Category:Computer television series Category:Television channels and stations established in 1996 Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2001