Home Video Channel

[1][2] The other was Indra Dhnush, a subscription-based Asian channel launched in May 1986 devoted to Hindi films and television programmes with some material in other Indian languages.

[3] In March 1987, HVC was sold to one of its rivals, Premiere, and the new owner continued with the channel's existing operational model including the distribution of tapes, and increased its broadcasting hours to 7:00 pm–7:00 am.

HVC continued to operate during the evening with its movie service showing science fiction, erotica, action, adventure and horror films (especially the uncut versions where available) during the pre-midnight period.

Sky issued viewers with frequency shifters (known as "ADX Plus Channel Expanders") comprising small boxes as the size of a cigarette packet, with a single switch and an on/off LED circuit connected between the dish and powered by the receiver, these allowed viewers to switch manually between the Astra 1A and Astra 1D frequency bands with a difference of 250 MHz.

[5] Several factors were believed to have contributed to this decline by the launch of two competing pornographic services in 1995 – including Television X (2 June) and Playboy TV (1 November) – to increased piracy, along with the channel's use of an Astra 1D satellite transponder.

The Adult Channel was also carried on the Canal Digital platform which served subscribers in Scandinavia, Benelux and Germany (via Deutsche Telekom) which supplied 16 million homes via cable.

Playboy Enterprises chairman and chief executive officer Christie Hefner said: Two years ago, we began selling blocks of programming to existing cable services overseas.

The establishment of an overseas Playboy network was a logical step for us in our strategy for growth and we are pleased to be involved in this venture with such respected partners as TCI, Flextech and BSkyB.David Chance, deputy managing director of British Sky Broadcasting, and Roger Luard, managing director of Flextech plc, jointly said:[8] Playboy has a strong brand name worldwide and has a successful adult-oriented television channel in the United States that appeals to both men and women.

[10] Playboy said that HVC would pay approximately US$9 million for the 81% interest and that the timing of the payments would be based on the network's future cash flows.

Playboy Entertainment Group president Anthony J. Lynn said:[11] The economies of scale that the merger offers, combined with the ability to market attractive options to consumers, should improve our growth and profitability potential.In February 2005, Playboy TV UK was fined by Ofcom for broadcasting Sandy Babe Abroad, a hardcore pornographic film, and said "it includes material which should not be transmitted at any time under any circumstance on British television".

[16] Playboy TV UK was also available in Finland and Scandinavia through Canal Digital (in Norway also via Get), in Belgium through Telenet, in Switzerland through Cablecom, in Africa, and also in New Zealand through Sky Network Television.