IFC (U.S. TV channel)

For the Canadian equivalent, see IFC (Canadian TV channel).
IFC
IFCLogo2010.jpg
Launched September 1, 1994
Owned by AMC Networks
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
480i (SDTV)
Slogan Always On.

Slightly Off.
Sister channel(s) AMC
Sundance Channel
WE tv
Website IFC.com
Availability
Satellite
DirecTV 559 (HD/SD)
DISH Network 133 (HD/SD)
Cable
Available on most U.S. cable systems Check local listings for channel numbers
IPTV
Verizon FiOS 734 (HD)
234 (SD)
AT&T U-verse 797 (SD only)

The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is an American cable TV network. IFC programming includes feature-length films, original documentaries, shorts, animated series, original series, acquired series, and content exclusively for the web.

History

[icon] This section requires expansion with: information on the history of the Independent Film Channel. (May 2010)

The channel, which is owned by AMC Networks (a former subsidiary of Cablevision), debuted on September 1, 1994, as a spin-off from then-sibling channel Bravo. Films were originally shown without commercial interruption.

In March 2010, IFC unveiled a newly redesigned logo and a new slogan - Always On. Slightly Off; said slogan reflects IFC's shift from merely airing independent films to airing independent films, cult television series, and specials with an indie flavor and sensibility.[1] This logo change also marked the year IFC began interrupting programs with commercial breaks. On December 8, 2010, IFC began airing commercials during their programming, which has sparked controversy among its viewers.[2][3] Along with this, programming on IFC began to be censored. Most notably, The Whitest Kids U'Know had swearing bleeped and nudity blurred. In addition, all sex scenes from movies that featured nudity were now edited out. Despite continuing to air advertisements during their programming, IFC largely reversed the censorship decision and returned to airing R-rated movies and TV-MA rated series uncensored. They would publicly trumpet this fact in 2012 by releasing ads featuring showings of back-to-back blocks of movies like the Friday the 13th series, highlighting the nudity and gore.[4] However, episodes of some programs rated TV-14 are still censored.[5]

In 2011, IFC debuted its first scripted original programming that is not sketch comedy.[6][7]

IFC logo, used from 2001 to 2010; still used on IFC Canada.
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Programming

Current series

Awards

Comedy

Reality/non-scripted

  • The Grid (2010–present)
  • Whisker Wars (2011–present)

Upcoming series

  • The Birthday Boys (Fall 2013)
  • The Spoils of Babylon (Soon)

Past series

Comedy

Reality/non-scripted

Re-broadcast programming

Original documentaries

Blocks

  • IFC: Grindhouse
  • Comedy Death Ray

Anime

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IFC.com

IFC's website is the home to blogs and news about film, music, and politics in addition to content about IFC's series, documentaries, and programming. IFC.com is also the home to a variety of original web series.

Web series

Blog

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Business operations

  • IFC includes the linear channel IFC.com, and IFC Free, which is IFC’s on-demand cable service, where viewers can watch premieres of IFC's programming in HD before they air on the linear network. Currently, Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Cablevision, Verizon FIOS and some cable providers have added the high-definition channel of IFC to a few select markets.
  • IFC's related company IFC Films has entered into several ventures in new distribution models for video on demand (VOD) and DVDs.
  • In 2005, IFC opened the IFC Center, a movie theater for independent film in New York.[25]
  • In 2008, IFC premiered its Media Lab Studios, a section of its website on which users can enter IFC-sponsored film contests, and can view others’ films. Numerous contests are run simultaneously, each with a different focus and guidelines for entries, and are presented by IFC and another sponsor. Recent contest sponsors include Scion, Absolut Vodka, and Red Bull.
  • On May 4, 2012, Dish Network announced that it would no longer carry the AMC Networks family of cable channels (including IFC) upon the expiration of the satellite provider's distribution agreement with the company at the end of June 2012, citing that AMC Networks charged an excessive amount in retransmission consent payments from the service for their carriage and low audience viewership for the channels. On June 30, 2012, Dish dropped the three AMC Networks properties, replacing AMC with HDNet Movies, IFC with HDNet (now known as AXS TV), and WE tv with Style Network.[27]
  • On October 21, 2012, AMC Networks announced a settlement was reached between them, Cablevision and Dish in which Dish was forced to pay up to $700 million in damages to Cablevision for damages from removing Voom-owned channels from the Dish lineup back in 2008, and in return Dish signed a new agreement to bring the AMC networks-owned channels back on the Dish lineup with AMC returning October 21 and the rest (including IFC) on November 1.
  • On November 1, 2012, after four months of being off Dish Network, IFC returned on Channel 298 and to celebrate its return, Dish Network had a free preview of it along with the Fuse, WE tv, and Sundance Channel.
  • On May 8, 2013, IFC moved to Channel 133 on Dish Network
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Canceled programs

  • IFC was to have released a theatrical-length movie version of Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter,[28] but the negotiations for the proposed movie and series have since fallen through.[29]
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See also

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References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ IFC’s corporatespeak is insufficient response to showing ads during movies « Democracy Soup
  3. ^ Payne, Bob (December 13, 2010). "Is IFC selling out? Channel runs commercials now, irking viewers". The Seattle Times. Retrieved July 3, 2011. 
  4. ^ The Many Faces of Friday the 13th’s Jason Voorhees – IFC
  5. ^ http://www.moviefanfare.com/ifc-now-stands-for-interrupted-film-channel/#.UM9waXfNmSo
  6. ^ "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  7. ^ Turnquist, Kristi (September 9, 2010). "IFC's 'Portlandia' crew says joke won't be on our fair city". The Oregonian. Retrieved September 15, 2010. 
  8. ^ "Cutting Ties". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  9. ^ "Dead & Lonely". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  10. ^ "Four Eyed Monster". Ifc.com. December 7, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  11. ^ "Funnel of Drakness". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  12. ^ "Get Hit". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  13. ^ "Getting Away With Murder". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  14. ^ "Good Morning Internet!". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  15. ^ "Lunchbox". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  16. ^ "Like So Many Things". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  17. ^ "The Mary Van Note Show". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  18. ^ "The Stagg Party". Ifc.com. December 7, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  19. ^ "The Unclothed Man in the 35th Century A.D.". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  20. ^ "Trapped in the Closet". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  21. ^ "Pushing Twilight". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  22. ^ "Young American Bodies". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  23. ^ "IFC News Blog". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  24. ^ "IFC Now Blog". Ifc.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
  25. ^ Meehan, Peter (October 19, 2005). "Just Off the Aisle at the Movies". The New York Times. 
  26. ^ Rainbow buys Sundance Channel Variety, May 7, 2008 JOHN DEMPSEY, DADE HAYES
  27. ^ Baker, Liana B. (July 2, 2012). "Dish drops AMC Networks as contract expires". Reuters. 
  28. ^ "IFC adapting 'Anita Blake' vampire novel". The Live Feed. March 31, 2009. 
  29. ^ "Anita Blake Movie a No Go". SciFiGuy.ca. November 22, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2010. 
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External links

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Last modified on 10 May 2013, at 19:51