It's free, it shows some great films, so watch it! (Film4)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Film4
Date:	15/10/08 (157 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Not just mainstream programming

Disadvantages: No '+1' service on Freeview

...The only terrestrial film channel

Film4 is a UK movie channel located on Freeview channel 32, Freesat channel 300, and Sky Digital channel 315.

It was first broadcast in 1998, when it was a subscription service costing between £5 and £7 a month to view.

In 2007, the channel became free to air, and the change is said to have increased the viewing figures from only 300,000 subscribers to a potential 18 Million households. The channel was able to drop its subs as it began using advertisements to help pay for its running costs.

Famous for broadcasting a variety of films including 'arthouse' and independent titles, Film4 has got the reputation of being the thinking man's movie channel. That's not to say it doesn't broadcast blockbusters, as over the years it's had its fair share. I remember watching 'School of Rock', 'Dodgeball', and 'I Robot' on the channel.

The station is on air from 1pm to 3.30am, and also has a '+1' time-slip service which allows viewers to watch the channel from an hour in the past. This sister station can be found on Freesat channel 301 and Sky Digital channel 316, although Freeview has dropped Film4 +1 due to a lack of bandwidth.

With a variety of 'seasons', Film4 often groups films together by genre. For example, they recently had a 'Sci-Fi' season which included; 'The Day After Tomorrow', 'Cypher' Equilibrium' 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', 'Independence Day', 'Vanilla Sky', 'Solaris', and 'The Core'.

Overall, Film4 is an excellent channel, which shows some inspiring films. I like the way its focus isn't purely on what's big in Hollywood, and I have enjoyed seeing a variety of world cinema including the Studio Ghibli animations.

A recommended watch.

Summary: Excellent Movie Channel