FYI (American TV channel)

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(Redirected from
The Biography Channel
)

FYI
CountryUnited States
Broadcast area
HeadquartersNewark, New Jersey
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Downgraded to letterboxed 480i for SDTV feed
Ownership
OwnerA&E Networks
Sister channelsLMN[1]
History
LaunchedNovember 16, 1998; 25 years ago (1998-11-16)
Former namesThe Biography Channel
(1998–2014)
Links
Websitewww.fyi.tv
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s)Philo, Sling TV, Frndly TV, Vidgo, Hulu + Live TV

FYI (stylized as fyi,) is an American

basic cable channel owned by A&E Networks, a joint venture between the Disney Entertainment subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company and Hearst Communications (each owns 50%). The network features lifestyle programming, with a mix of reality
, culinary, home renovation and makeover series.

The network originally launched in 1998 as The Biography Channel, as an offshoot of

drama
series, the Biography Channel became the home for several series that had been displaced by the flagship network (including Biography itself), but shifted towards reality-oriented series itself in 2007 and was rebranded as simply Bio. In 2014, the channel was rebranded as FYI.

FYI is available to 69.0 million households in America as of January 2016[update].[2]

History

The Biography Channel

1998–2001 logo
2001–2007 logo
2007–2014 logo

The channel was launched on November 16, 1998, as The Biography Channel by A&E Television Networks, which conceived the channel as an offshoot of the long-running

Biography.[3][4] On October 1, 2000, A&E Networks expanded its British partnership with British Sky Broadcasting with the launch of a UK market Biography Channel.[5]

In August 2006, The Biography Channel became the exclusive home for the Biography series, as it was dropped by A&E. Another 64 hours of the show was ordered for its first year on the channel.[6] In 2007, Biography Channel unveiled a new on-air brand—identifying the network simply as "Bio".[4] The changes came as the network shifted its scope to de-emphasize traditional biographical programs in favor of "true stories about fascinating people", such as the series Shatner's Raw Nerve, hosted by William Shatner.[7]

Bio had been stagnating since

video provider, about half the industry average.[citation needed] After tweaking the three main A+E channels, Bio averaged viewers of 91,000 adults 25–54 in prime compared to what A&E (716,000) and History (703,000) managed over the same period.[8] Jana Bennett was hired as president of LMN and Bio in June 2013 and, having transformed TLC from an educational channel to a lifestyle network, was considered an indication that adding a lifestyle channel to the A+E portfolio was a possibility. An opening in the genre occurred as the Style Network became the men-focused Esquire Network. While preparing to launch FYI, Bio began re-airing A&E's house-flipping shows and 30 potential shows were placed in development.[1]

as FYI (2014–present)

greenlit for the new channel while two others—Say it to my face and Reverse Course—were ordered to pilot.[12]

With the June 2014 announcement of the 2015 end of the

Live Well Network, some of its programming was being offered to FYI, which shared partial ABC ownership.[13] The network launched on July 7, 2014, with a preview special, FYI: First Look, featuring previews of the network's new programming. Its first new original series, Married at First Sight, premiered the next day.[14]

In January 2015, following the success of its Six Months Later special, FYI ordered Married at First Sight: The First Year.[15][16]

Programming

Current programming

Former FYI

In production

  • The Feed – produced by Giants Pirates with Top Chef judge Gail Simmons, The Taste judge Marcus Samuelsson and comedian and food-blogger Max Silvestri as a traveling road show looking into the American food culture and its new trends.[10] Originally to be a launch program (on July 12, 2014), The Feed was pushed back to a summer start.[14]
  • Midnight Feast – produced by Nerd TV and hosted by Chef Spike Mendelsohn; a competitive cooking show in which three chefs use New York's Chelsea Market as an ingredient source, where the winning chef gets a cash prize while the losers pay their grocery bills.[12]

In development

  • Red Hot Design – features a team led by designer and artist Shasta Smith making upscale art and furniture from unusual materials and produced by Cineflix Productions.[11]
  • Jennifer's Way – produced by Atlas Media; features Jennifer Esposito, an actress who entered the food business with a gluten-free bakery, as she attempts to expand beyond the single NYC location into cookbooks, packaged goods and franchised locations.[11]
  • Say It To My Face – produced by Pie Town Productions; restaurant owners and chefs and their online critics meet to defend their position. Then under the aid of co-hosts Andrew Gruel and Anthony Dispensa,[32] the restaurant gets a makeover.[12]
  • Reverse Course – produced by Stick Figure Studios and hosted by chef and restaurateur Sam Talbot; from the finished meal then going in reverse to cooking, preparation and local sourcing.[12]

Final Bio programming

Former Bio

International versions of Bio and FYI

Despite the relaunch, international versions of The Biography Channel exist in some regions. An international version of The Biography Channel previously operated in the

Rogers Media, was relaunched as Viceland
in February 2016, but was then shut down on March 31, 2018.

References

  1. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (December 11, 2013). "A+E Networks' Bio Renamed FYI As It Converts Into Lifestyle Network". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  2. ^ "Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: January 2016". Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  3. ^ "A&E unveils digital networks" (PDF). BROADCASTING & CABLE. November 16, 1998. p. 56. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  4. ^
    The Wrap
    . Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  5. ^ Wilkes, Neil (September 22, 2000). "Sky confirms Biography Channel". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  6. ^ Dempsey, John (June 5, 2006). "'Biography' rewrite". Variety. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  7. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (January 16, 2007). "Shatner to interview celebrities". Variety. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  8. ^ Thielman, Sam (December 11, 2013). "Bio to Rebrand as FYI, a 'Contemporary Lifestyle' Network". Ad Week. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  9. ^ Bibel, Sara (May 27, 2014). "FYI Unveils Primetime Lineup For July Premiere". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on May 27, 2014. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "FYI Network Announces Lineup, Launch Date". February 26, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c Littleton, Cynthia (February 26, 2014). "Food, Home Renovation Shows on Menu for A+E's FYI Launch". Variety. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d Steinberg, Brian (April 30, 2014). "A+E's New FYI Network Makes Bigger Bet On Cooking Series". Variety. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  13. ^ Malone, Michael (June 9, 2014). "ABC to Discontinue Live Well Network". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Gibbons, Kent (July 7, 2014). "A+E's BIO Converts to FYI". Multichannel News. NewBay Media. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  15. ^ Massabrook, Nicole. "'Married At First Sight: The First Year' To Follow Jamie, Doug, Cortney And Jason; Spinoff To Premiere In 2015". International Business Times. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  16. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 13, 2016). "Nylon CEO Paul Greenberg to Head FYI Network". Variety. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  17. ^ "FYI - TV Listings Guide".
  18. ^ Boone, Lisa (July 8, 2014). "'Tiny House Nation' premieres Wednesday on A&E's new FYI network". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  19. ^ Dugan, Christina (October 26, 2015). "5 Women Embark on Journey to Find Their Soulmates in FYI's #BlackLove". People. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  20. ^ "FYI Renews 'Tiny House Nation' For Second Season; Greenlights 'Tiny House Hunting'". Deadline Hollywood. September 3, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  21. ^ "FYI Adds New Original Series "Tiny House World" to Hit Micro-Living Franchise". The Futon Critic (Press release). October 14, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  22. ^ Massabrook, Nicole (December 11, 2014). "'Married At First Sight: The First Year' Spoilers: Premiere Date Revealed; What Have Doug, Jamie, Jason And Cortney Been Up To?". International Business Times. IBT Media Inc. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  23. ^ Gleiter, Sue (February 5, 2016). "Hummelstown native stars on 'Zombie House Flipping' reality show". PennLive.com. PA Media Group. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  24. ^ Shanklin, Mary (January 29, 2016). "Orlando-based reality TV show Zombie House Flipping launches". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  25. ^ "USM alum featured in new FYI TV series". Hattiesburgamerican.com. Hattiesburg American. January 28, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  26. ^ Robinson, Charlinda (January 26, 2016). "The 'Zombie House Flipping' Crew Remodels The Most Challenging Homes They Can Find". Inquisitr. The Inquisitr News. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  27. ^ "Zombie House Flipping". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
  28. ^ Joe Otterson, "FYI Partners With Sur La Table on Culinary Series With Katie Couric Producing," Variety, April 18, 2017.
  29. ^ Stisher, Seth (August 16, 2016). "Real Estate Expert Seth Stisher Stars in FYI Network's "Waterfront House Hunting"". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved April 5, 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d e Goldberg, Lesley (December 11, 2013). "A+E Rebrands Bio as Lifestyle Network FYI". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  31. ^ a b c Poggi, Jeanine (December 11, 2013). "A&E Rebrands Bio Channel as FYI, a Broad Lifestyle Network". Ad Age. Crain Communications. Retrieved July 7, 2014.
  32. ^ Redcarpetcrash.com Archived April 7, 2015, at archive.today
  33. ^ Gildemeister, Christopher (October 16, 2006). "Exposing Sex, Violence, and Language in the Media". Culture Watch. The Parents Television Council. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "New FYI channel debuts in Canada on Sept. 1". August 1, 2014. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
  35. ^ "Canal A& chega a Portugal e traz "Wahlburgers" :: Notícia :: SAPO TV". sapo.pt. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
  36. ^ "BIO rebrands as A&E in German-speaking Europe, Iberia, Africa". Rapid TV News.
  37. ^ "Bio to rebrand to Lifetime in Israel". Digital TV Europe. September 11, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  38. ^ "A+E Networks Asia Rebrands Bio Channel to FYI in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan (Press Release) Pinoy Adventurista". pinoyadventurista.com.
  39. ^ "A&E Network and TV18 partner to launch FYI TV18 channel". Medianews4u.com. April 27, 2016.
  40. ^ Knox, David (September 23, 2015). "Bio channel to close on Foxtel". TV Tonight. Retrieved October 6, 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FYI (American TV channel).
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