Variety is dead
...or at least its TV channel is
A TV channel set up to promote old-fashioned mainstream comedy has gone into administration less than a year after launch, costing investors like Joe Pasquale tens of thousands of pounds.
Sound TV launched in February, with backing from the likes of Brian Conley, Bradley Walsh and Jethro.
At the time, the Cornish comic promised the variety-based channel would screen ‘entertainment for the nation with programmes the nation want to see’ featuring such acts as Bobby Davro, Phil Cool and David Copperfield.
However, his prediction didn’t come true, and eight weeks ago Portland Business Services were called in as receivers.
The biggest losers include Pasquale, who has reportedly lost £100,000, and fellow comics Mike Osman and Richard Digance, who helped form the company.
Originally named The Great British Variety Channel, the venture collapsed after failing to attract enough advertising revenue.
Digance resigned from the board of directors in August, citing ‘creative differences’.
Published: 9 Dec 2005
