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Playboy TV
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaUnited States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Israel
Programming
Language(s)English
Spanish
Picture format480i (SDTV)
(Americas)
576i (SDTV)
(Europe)
1080i (HDTV)
(United States, Latin America and Russia)
History
LaunchedJanuary 22, 1982 (1982-01-22)
Former namesEscapade (1982)
The Playboy Channel (1982 – 1989)
Links
WebsitePlayboy TV
Availability
Cable
Videotron (Canada)Channel 221 (SD)
Com Hem (Sweden)Channel 54
UPC RomaniaChannel 974
Izzi TelecomChannel 691
Altice USAChannel 530 Channel 532 (Spanish)
Available on most U.S. cable systemsChannel slots vary on each provider
Satellite
Sky (Mexico)Channel 926
Movistar+ (Spain)Channel 111
DigitAlb (Albania)Channel 153
Dish Network (U.S.)Channel 488/9 (English)
Channel 487 (Spanish)
DirecTV (U.S.)Channel 580 and 589 (English; HD)
Channel 583 (Spanish)
Shaw Direct (Canada)Channel 680
Bell Satellite TV (Canada)Channel 780
IPTV
Telus TV (Canada)Channel 910
AT&T U-Verse (U.S.)Channel 3952 (English)
Channel 3954 (Spanish)
Telekom Entertain (Germany)Channel 279 (SD)
Free (France)Channel 374
SomTV (Andorra)Channel 270

Playboy TV (originally The Playboy Channel) is a pay television channel based in the United States.

History

The channel first launched on January 22, 1982 as Escapade, a joint-venture of Playboy Enterprises and Cablevision's Rainbow Media.[1][2] The channel rebranded the Playboy Channel on November 1, 1982. The original programming and style of the Playboy Channel was developed by Hugh Hefner, and producer Michael Trikilis. Playboy hired its own sales and marketing staff and launched the channel on several major multiple system operators. At the time of its launch, programming featured on the channel consisted of R-rated films. It was broadcast for only ten hours each day, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, during its first eleven years of existence. In October 1983, Rainbow Media exited the partnership by selling its share to Playboy, but would continue to distribute the channel until 1986.[3] The channel re-launched as Playboy TV and adopted its current name on November 1, 1989. The network expanded its programming with the adoption of a 24-hour schedule in 1994.

Programming

Playboy TV was originally developed as a video version of Playboy Magazine. Programming featured music reviews, celebrity interviews, men's fashion and segments on cars. It was a video extension of the magazine - an established lifestyle brand. Slowly the programming on the channel evolved to feature more attractive women and eventually soft core features. This then evolved to what would become more standard television programming with a focus primarily on a male demographic.

In 2010, Playboy TV unveiled a new program slate,[4] which featured series tailored to both male and female viewers.[5]

Programs on Playboy TV have included

References

  1. ^ Garland, Susan (January 21, 1982). "CABLE TV; Concern grows that 'adult' programming may be reaching more American homes -- and children". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  2. ^ John, Kenneth E. (September 1, 1982). "Sex-Oriented Channel". Washington Post. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  3. ^ "CS Docket No. 94-48In the Matter of Implementation of Section 19 of the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992Annual Assessment of the Status of Competition in the Market for the Delivery of Video Programming" (PDF). Federal Communications Comission. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Barnes, Brooks (November 16, 2010). "Playboy TV Puts Emphasis on Intimacy"". New York Times.
  5. ^ Schillaci, Sophie (April 11, 2011). "Adrianne Curry on Celebrity Sex Tales". Screener. Archived from the original on April 6, 2017.

External links

Playboy Enterprises
Premium television services in the United States
Categories