HBO considering launch of new UK channel

[lincsat]

Popular US film and drama channel Home Box Office (HBO) is once again considering the launch of a spin-off channel for the UK.

Simon Sutton, HBO International's president, told an audience at the Oxford Media Convention that the broadcaster is mulling a move into the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy or Japan. "We are investigating a presence in those six markets," he said.

No firm decision has been made about a launch and issues about programme rights would have to be resolved since Channel 4 owns HBO's The Sopranos and Six Feet Under, and Sky One owns Deadwood, while the Ricky Gervais show Extras and the historical drama series Rome were among co-produced between the BBC and HBO.

It is not the first time HBO has considered starting a UK TV channel. Three years ago, chairman Chris Albrecht said that a UK channel was something he would "love to see", but no finance partners could be found and the plans were shelved.