Free-to-air movie channel launches in Middle East

Fox Movies, a new free-to-air English movie channel, will go live in the Middle East on 1 May 2008. The initiative is brought to the region through a partnership between Rotana Media Services and Fox International Channels. The channel will launch with the hit Blade Runner - The Final Cut (directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford) - a version of the film previously unaired in the region. Fox Movies will bring a new experience to the area, says Ward Platt, President, Fox International Channels, Asia. The network plans to engage audiences through localised interstitials that highlight viewers in their everyday lives, airing their opinions of Hollywood on TV, between movies. Viewers will also have access to the Fox Movie website which hosts forums, competitions, programme listings and other movie information.