FOX8
Launched	October 23, 1995
Owned by	Foxtel
Audience share	1.4% timeshift 0.6% (October 2008, [1])
Slogan	It's All Here
Replaced	Oh! (Optusvision)
Timeshift service	FOX8+2
Website	fox8.tv
Availability
Satellite
Foxtel Digital	Channel 108 (timeshift ch 150)
Austar Digital	Channel 108 (timeshift ch 150)
Cable
Foxtel Digital	Channel 108 (timeshift ch 150)
Also on Virgin Blue flights

FOX8 is an Australian cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, Austar and Optus Television's subscription platforms. It is the most watched subscription television channel in Australia (with or without the timeshift)^[2].

[edit] History

The channel runs many programs produced by Fox and in fact was originally called "Fox" before adding the "8" to the title. The channel was found on channel 8 on Foxtel analogue and Austar standard and channel 108 on Foxtel Digital and Austar Digital. FOX8 is Foxtel's most popular subscription channel and peak channel. It is also News Corporation's peak Australian channel (similar to Sky One in the UK and FX in the USA). FOX8 is one of the very few channels to have been continuously broadcast since Foxtel's foundation in 1995. During the early 2000s, FOX8 used to show Friday Night NRL matches.

FOX8+2 was introduced with the Foxtel and Austar Digital Services on Channel 150. This allows the viewing of the same programs on FOX8, but 2 hours later. One of the known advantages of this TimeShift Channel, is that Western Australian viewers can see this channel at the correct time in their state as advertised. FOX8 and Foxtel have a deal with Network Ten to receive their shows bought from the Fox Broadcasting Company (USA) television. Some shows like this include The Simpsons, Futurama, and The Simple Life. During the migration to the digital platform, Foxtel's Fox Kids (similar to the US version) channel was discontinued in 2004 and a selection of its programming was moved to FOX8 in the early mornings.

The channel rebranded significantly at the start of 2006, matching the American FOX channels logo with the addition of the 8 at the end. FOX8's overall graphics also changed in style. Shortly after the rebranding, the station received its first official website.^[3] The website was relaunched in October, 2006 as a fuller visual experience showing extracts from the top shows.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the channel screened a 17 day, multiple animated show marathon named "Battle of the Animations" involving Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, Futurama and King of the Hill. The event concluded on Sunday August 24 with a relatively smaller marathon involving the winning show, as chosen by the viewing audience over the course of the 17 days. The winning show was Family Guy.

On November 1, 2008, as part of the launch of a new channel named 111 Hits, many shows from FOX8 and other channels moved to 111 Hits, being a new hit shows channel including programmes from the 80's, 90's and today.

Foxtel are planning on expanding content when the D3 Satellite goes online in May next year. Plans include adding more standard entertainment HD channels, with FOX8 being an idea for one.

[edit] Programming

[edit] Original Productions

• Action Earth (2007)
• An Aussie Goes Barmy (2006)
• An Aussie Goes Bolly (2008)
• An Aussie Goes Calypso (2008)
• Australia's Next Top Model (2005 – present)
• Blood, Sweat and Gears (2008)
• CD Live (2006)
• Confidential (2007)
• Crown Australian Celebrity Poker Challenge (2006)
• Dangerous (2007)
• Football Superstar (2008 – present)
• Love My Way (2004 - 2005)
• Ra (2005 – present)
• Runway to LA (2008)
• The Singing Office (2007)

[edit] Premiere programming