NEW YORK – Fox is planning to start the Fox Reality Channel early next year, perhaps moving to the front of the suddenly crowded sweepstakes of networks looking to capitalize on the format.
The new network will air a mix of original series and reruns of series like “Joe Millionaire” and “Temptation Island.”
Fox joins Reality Central, which is set to begin later this year, and Reality TV, which airs only on the Dish Network, in the competition to be the go-to place for fans of the popular genre.
With owner News Corp.’s one-third stake in Direct TV, a collection of studios and a broadcast network that has long embraced the genre, the Fox Reality Channel is well-positioned for the fight.
“It was never so much a question of whether we might take this next step and launch a dedicated reality channel,” said Anthony Vinciquerra, Fox Networks Group president. “It was only a matter of when.”
Meanwhile, the operators of Reality Central said Fox had essentially taken their idea and ran with it.
“When you get a validation from one of the big media conglomerates, it’s flattering,” said Larry Namer, head of Reality Central and a founder of the E! Entertainment network.
Vinciquerra laughed when told of Namer’s comment. He said the Fox Reality Channel has been in the works for more than two years.
Reality Central has been aggressively trying to promote itself as a destination for fans of the genre. Besides reality show reruns and some original shows, it will keep viewers up-to-date with what’s going on across all the networks.
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