Legend (TV channel)
British free-to-air television channel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Legend,[1][2] formerly Zone Horror[3] and Horror Channel,[4] is a free-to-air television channel specialising in sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, and action series, broadcasting in the UK and Ireland.
Ireland
| |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom Ireland |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 576i 16:9 SDTV |
| Timeshift service | Horror Channel +1 (2010–2022) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | AMC Networks International Paramount Networks UK & Australia |
| Parent | CBS AMC Networks UK Channels Partnership |
| Sister channels | True Crime True Crime Xtra Legend Xtra |
| History | |
| Launched | 3 May 2004 |
| Former names | The Horror Channel (2004–2006) Zone Horror (2006–2010) Horror Channel (2010–2022) |
| Links | |
| Website | www.legend-tv.co.uk |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 41 |
| Streaming media | |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (UK only) |
| Official catch-up service | Watch Free UK (UK only) |
Horror Channel
Launching in 2004, the Horror Channel went into administration within months[5][6] and was acquired by Zone Vision Networks Ltd.,[7] which renamed the channel "Zone Horror" in 2006.[8]
Zone Horror +1 launched on Sky in 2008, replacing Zone Reality Extra. Zone Horror was seen in The Netherlands from 2006-09[9][10] and in Italy as The Horror Channel from 2011-15.[11][12]
In 2009, CBS Studios International launched six CBS-branded channels in the UK. These channels replaced Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror, CBS Reality, and timeshift services Zone Horror +1 and Zone Reality +1.[13][14] In 2010, Zone Horror was renamed "Horror Channel".[15]
In 2012, a simulcast of Horror Channel was on Sky until 2013, when it was replaced by Reality TV, which was itself a simulcast of CBS Reality.[16] In 2015, Horror Channel appeared on Freeview. In 2022, Horror moved to a higher position on the Freeview guide, by switching positions with CBS Justice.[17]
Horror Channel Films
Throughout its run as Horror Channel, the network broadcast a wide range of horror, cult, and genre films, including classic British titles, European horror seasons, and occasional themed blocks such as Hammer Horror. Gradually the focus shifted to more recent films.
Legend
Logos
Logo used 2004–2006
Logo used 2006–2010
Logo used 2010–2022
Logo used 2022–2023
Legend Xtra
Legend Xtra (styled as LEGEND XTRA and formerly HorrorXtra) is a British free-to-air television channel. HorrorXtra launched as a spin-off channel to Legend on 1 July 2022, retaining the "Horror" branding used prior to Legend's rebrand. At launch it was carried on cable and satellite platforms but was not seen on Freeview until April 2023, when it replaced the short-lived placeholder service, RealityXtra 2. Initially a movie channel, after rebranding as Legend Xtra in November 2023, it airs a mix of television series and films across the action, science fiction, and horror genres. In 2024, the broadcast hours were expanded to a full 24-hour schedule.[21][22][23][24][25][26]