FearNet to Launch October 31st

Posted on October 25, 2006

USA Today reports that Comcast has teamed up with Sony and Lionsgate to new launch a new cable network called FearNet. The new network will debut on October 31st.

FearNet will offer Comcast digital customers horror shorts and trailers and about 70 hours of movies a month from the studios' combined libraries, which include Poltergeist, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Carrie, Ghoulies, Night of the Living Dead, The Howling and the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Sony and Lionsgate have more than 1,000 horror titles, about half of the total from major studios.
Comcast won't charge for the films. They'll be supported by ads appearing from time to time on part of the screen during the movie and during intermissions that may feature interviews with directors and stars.
Comcast also will offer FearNet to other cable operators, for a fee.

The old horror movies should find lots of interest from the target demographic of 18- to 34-year-olds. Horror has been on a roll at the box office climbing 15% in earnings in 2005 after a 78% jump in 2004. In 2006 there seems to be at least one big film in the horror genre released each week. You can see a very short teaser for the channel on the FearNet website.

HORROR