IFC | |
---|---|
Launched | September 1, 1994 |
Owned by | AMC Networks |
Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) 480i (SDTV) |
Slogan | Always On, Slightly Off |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Broadcast area | Nationwide |
Formerly called | Independent Film Channel (1994–2014) |
Sister channel(s) |
AMC SundanceTV WE tv BBC America |
Website | IFC.com |
Availability
|
|
Satellite | |
DirecTV | 333 (HD/SD) |
Dish Network | 133 (HD/SD) |
Cable | |
Time Warner Cable | 627 (HD/SD) |
Xfinity | 280 (HD) 503 (SD) 744 (HD) |
Available on most U.S. cable providers | Check local listings for channel numbers |
IPTV | |
Verizon FiOS | 734 (HD) 234 (SD) |
AT&T U-verse | 797 (SD) 1797 (HD) |
Streaming media | |
IFC - Watch Now | |
Sling TV | Internet Protocol television |
PlayStation Vue | Internet Protocol television |
IFC (an initialism of the network's former name, the Independent Film Channel) is an American cable and satellite television network that is owned by AMC Networks. Programming on the channel includes both original and acquired series, and fan favorite films that are "always on, slightly off."
As of February 2015, approximately 73,333,000 American households (63% of households with television) receive IFC. In March 2015, Dish TV's Sling TV announced it would soon begin making AMC channels available to cord cutters, including AMC, BBC America, IFC, SundanceTV, and WE tv.
The channel debuted on September 1, 1994, under the ownership of Rainbow Media, a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation; IFC originated as a spin-off of then-sibling channel Bravo, which focused at that time on a wider variety of programming than IFC, including arts-related programming. The Independent Film Channel originally operated as a commercial-free service, with films being shown without interruption.
In 2005, IFC opened the IFC Center, a movie theater for independent film in New York City. In 2008, IFC launched its Media Lab Studios, a section of its website on which users can enter IFC-sponsored film contests, and can view others’ films. Numerous contests are run simultaneously, each with a different focus and guidelines for entries, and are presented by IFC and another sponsor. Recent contest sponsors include Scion, Absolut Vodka, and Red Bull. In 2008, Rainbow Media acquired competing independent film service Sundance Channel from Robert Redford and Showtime Networks.