Flextech
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|
| Type | Broadcast television |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Availability | National; also available in Ireland, selected other countries |
| Founded | 1990 – 2011 |
| 2.5% | |
| Owner | Sky plc |
| Dissolved | 2011 |
|
Former names
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Flextech (1990–2007) Virgin Media Television (2007–10) |
Living TV Group was a British television consortium originally called Flextech before becoming a subsidiary of British Sky Broadcasting, with Sky Living, Sky Livingit, and Challenge still broadcasting.
Living TV Group had a number of wholly owned channels, available in the United Kingdom on Digital terrestrial television, Satellite television and Cable television platforms and in the Republic of Ireland on Satellite and Cable Television. Living TV Group's advertising for all of its channels was handled by former sister company Interactive Digital Sales (IDS) until 1 January 2011, when Sky Media took over.
Flextech, was formerly an oil services group, previously being floated as an energy investment company back in 1983. It was not until the arrival of chief executive Roger Luard in 1986 that its focus began to change and becoming a TV programme provider. Its first media acquisition was in 1990 with a 20% stake in programme producer/distributor HIT Communications, by October 1990 acquired a stake in The Children's Channel, when it brought 25% holding in Starstream Ltd, from BT, who no longer need to make sure quality programming was being broadcast on the Cable network. By 1992, Flextech was a media-only group, having built up stakes in local cable operators selling off its non-core asset.
During the summer of 1993, Flextech entered in an agreement with International Family Entertainment (IFE), to hold 39% stake in The Family Channel and to build upon its Television portfolio. Roger Luard, chief executive officer said, "We are delighted to be involved with one of the United States' leading and most successful basic cable networks, and we look forward to co-operating with IFE in opportunities for expansion into Europe and beyond. The channel was announced as a Premier family entertainment network in the United Kingdom. Maidstone Studios, become the station operation base, which also benefited Flextech, as the facility operated the channels' uplink, playout and management operations. In the autumn talks, they were held with Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI- the Denver-based US cable TV giant). Under the original terms of the proposed deal, Flextech would have acquire TCI's European programming business in exchange for shares. By January 1994, the deal was complete with TCI which allowed TCI to acquire 60.4% of Flextech, while Flextech acquired 100% of Bravo, 25% of UK Gold, 31% of UK Living, and 25% of The Children's Channel which increased its share in that channel.
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