
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993                   TAG: 9310300333
SECTION: SPECTATOR                    PAGE: S-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RON MILLER KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEW PROGRAM SERVICES WILL BE OFFERED IN '94

Though it may only frustrate you, here's a brief look at a few of the new program services expected to start up by the end of 1994:

Romance Classics: You've already seen the teasers for this on the American Movie Classics network.

It's a 24-hour, commercial-free movie channel specializing in romantic films. Starts Feb. 14.

Turner Classic Movies: Ted Turner's vast movie library, which includes most of the MGM, Warner Brothers and RKO classics, finally will be available without commercials, starting April 14.

Cable companies will be allowed to charge extra for this by designating it as either a premium channel or pricing it as part of a special tier.

The Catalog Channel: This brings the Spiegel catalog to television in partnership with Time Warner Entertainment.

It's one of many new shopping-related services. (Late 1994)

The Game Channel: This all-games service, which includes interactive features in which viewers can play along with contestants, comes from the International Family Entertainment Co., which operates cable's popular The Family Channel. (1994)

The Game Show Channel: Watch for confusion if these channels don't rethink those names.

This one is from the giant Sony company, in partnership with United Video and Mark Goodson Productions, makers of some of TV's most enduring game shows. Also interactive. (Early 1994)

Sega Channel: Tests start this year in Northern California for this interactive channel that will allow viewers to access video games with the Sega company's equipment.

Sega is partnered with Time Warner and TCI, the nation's largest operator of cable systems.

by CNB