Arena (TV channel)

{{Infobox television channel

| name = Arena

| logo = Arena 2023.png

| launch_date = 22 April 1995{{cite news | title = Galaxy takes knife to fees | first = Rachel | last = Browne | url = http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950422_0197_2665 | newspaper = The Sun-Herald | publisher = Fairfax Media | location = Sydney, Australia | date = 22 April 1995 | page = 23 | access-date = 21 December 2009 | quote = XYZ Entertainment is launching the other four Galaxy channels today. They are a documentary channel Quest, children's and cult TV channel Max, general entertainment channel Arena and music channel Red.}}{{cite web |url=http://apro.techno.net.au/cepu/toa405.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224044738/http://apro.techno.net.au/cepu/toa405.htm |archive-date=24 December 2004 |title=CPEU:Australis Background |access-date=5 September 2009 }}

| picture_format = 576i (SDTV 16:9)
1080i (HDTV 16:9)

| country = Australia

| language = English

| former_names = Arena (1995-2020)
Fox Arena (2020-2023)

| timeshift_service = Arena +2

| owner = Foxtel Networks

| sister_channels = Foxtel Networks channels

| online_serv_1 = Foxtel Go

| online_chan_1 = Channel 111

| online_serv_2 = Binge

| online_chan_2 = [http://www.binge.com.au binge.com.au]

}}

Arena (formerly Fox Arena) is an Australian general entertainment cable and satellite channel available on Foxtel, and Optus Television's subscription platforms.

History

In the late 1990s, Arena had the slogan "The Art of Television". It ran a mix of programs, including UK serial Coronation Street, and cult horror and science fictions films presented by Tabitha Clutterbuck. This included programs from E! prior to the launch of E! in Australia.

On 1 March 2001, it relaunched, with an added focus on talk shows and celebrity.{{cite news | title = New Arena for female viewers | first = Shane | last = Danielsen |date = 8 March 2001 | newspaper = The Australian | publisher = News Limited | location = Sydney, Australia}}{{cite news | title = Arena's Soft Landing | first = Pam | last = Brown |date = 27 February 2001 | newspaper = The West Australian | publisher = West Australian Newspapers Limited | location = Perth, Australia}}

File:Arena TV.jpg

On 31 July 2005, its look was again updated, with a new logo and the new slogan, "Great TV Any time".{{cite news

| last = Lee Lewes

| first = Jacqeuline

| title = A driving force

| newspaper = The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)

| location = Sydney, Australia

| publisher = News Limited

| date = 20 July 2005

}}

It was owned and operated by XYZnetworks until 1 October 2007, when management and programming were taken over by Foxtel,{{Cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2007/09/foxtel-takes-arena.html|title=Foxtel takes Arena | TV Tonight|first=Neil|last=says|date=21 September 2007}} with XYZ Networks still retaining ownership.

File:Arena2008.svgIn April 2008, Foxtel announced a partnership with Universal Networks International, where Arena would be re-branded as an Australian version of the American channel Bravo{{emdash}}featuring original series from the network, and adopting a variation of Bravo's branding and slogan, whilst retaining the previous Arena name.{{Cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/category/ratings|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625141224/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/04/new-arena.html|url-status=dead|title=Ratings|archivedate=25 June 2008}}

On 1 June 2010, Arena TV switched from standard 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen programming. Many of Arena's programmes like Gilmore Girls, Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother and One Tree Hill amongst other shows are originally presented in widescreen. Arena TV's switch to widescreen is part of Foxtel's plan to have every channel in widescreen by the end of 2010.

File:Fox Arena Logo 2020.png

On 3 November 2014, Arena launched a HD feed. In addition, Arena + 2 moved from channel 154 to channel 151.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=BoxSets, Discovery Kids launch on Foxtel.|publisher=TV Tonight|date=3 November 2014|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/11/boxsets-discovery-kids-launch-on-foxtel.html|access-date=5 November 2014}}

On 1 July 2020, the channel rebranded as FOX Arena with a new logo and tagline ‘Live Out Loud.’{{Cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/06/smooth-joins-axed-music-channels-arena-to-be-renamed.html/|title = Smooth joins axed music channels, Arena to be renamed. | TV Tonight| date=4 June 2020 }}{{Cite web|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/07/arena-rebrands-to-fox-arena.html|title = Arena rebrands to FOX Arena | TV Tonight| date=July 2020 }} The channel now operates as part of Foxtel's LifeStyle suite of television networks.

On 28 September 2023, the channel rebranded to its former name, "Arena", with a new logo.{{Cite web |title=Foxtel Magazine (October 2023) - Your monthly guide to a world of entertainment |url=https://www.foxtelmagazine.foxtel.com.au/#view=catalogue2&saleId=51890&page=33 |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Foxtel Magazine |page=32}}

Slogans

class="wikitable"
Slogan ! Year(s)
The Art of Television \| 1995–2001
Get Into It \| 2001–2005
Great TV Any Time \| 2005–2008
Watch What Happens \| 2008–2020
Live Out Loud \|2020–present

class="wikitable"

Slogan

! Year(s)

The Art of Television

| 1995–2001

Get Into It

| 2001–2005

Great TV Any Time

| 2005–2008

Watch What Happens

| 2008–2020

Live Out Loud