JML Direct TV
Encyclopedia
JML Direct TV is a generic name for a series of British shopping channels broadcasting on the Sky, Freesat
and Freeview platforms, owned by JML Direct Limited.
JML Direct TV originally launched on Sky channel 664, on 1 October 2002 as JML Direct. Due to various Sky EPG reshuffles, this original channel was later located on channel 657 and subsequently 667.
eeZee tv launched at 10:00 on 1 March 2005, taking the place of the original JML Direct channel, showing a mix of JML and Kleeneze products ranging from Homewares to Beauty. The channel used a fixed price format, which was similar to other UK shopping channels, such as QVC
and Ideal World
.
In early 2007 live programming on eeZee TV was removed and replaced with pre-recorded material. Subsequently it was decided that this move alone would not save the channel, and on 3 March 2007 JML regained the EPG slot and rebranded it back to JML Direct TV. The channel continued to show various JML products, using ex-eeZee tv presenters and studios for some pre-recorded JML infomercials.
and iBuy2
in early 2007, JML secured a deal with HSN to take over their old prime EPG slots, near the top of the Shopping EPG on 631 and 632 (next to QVC
). Then, at midnight on 28 May 2007, JML launched JML Direct TV on 631 and infomercial-based channel Shop Now TV on 632. At the same time their previous JML Direct TV channel was renamed to JML Extra. Both JML-named channels showed JML products around the clock, with Shop Now TV showing various products sourced from around the world.
On 7 January 2008, JML Direct TV was renamed JML Direct 1 on Sky 631 and Shop Now TV was dropped and was rebranded JML Direct 2 on Sky 632. Many of the Shop Now TV infomercials were dropped, though those products which JML decided to retain in their lineup would continue to appear, though now under the JML brand. JML Extra on 657 remained as it was.
had decided to go into voluntary liquidation. This caused their two Sky EPG slots on 652 and 656 to go up for sale. Then, on 27 December 2007, it was announced that JML had successfully purchased the two slots. In nearly a year, JML had grown from a one-channel operation to five.
On 7 February 2008, JML Direct 1 was rebranded for a second time, now as just "JML". JML Direct 2 was rebranded JML Lifestyle and JML Extra was rebranded as JML Solutions. At this point, both 652 and 656 were still referred to as Vector 24/7 and Shop Vector + on the Sky EPG, though now carried JML-branded programming.
On 19 February 2008, both Vector Direct channels were renamed on the Sky EPG. Vector 24/7 became JML Choice on 652, and Shop Vector + on 656 was rebranded under the title JML Innovation.
On 6 September 2008, JML Solutions (Sky 667) was rebranded as JML CookShop. The channel shows a mix of kitchen gadgets and cookware products, and introduced its own green graphics in place of the usual blue. This has now been rebranded as JML Choice.
On 23 September 2008, JML Innovation was rebranded as JML BeautyShop on Sky 666. The channel showed a mix of health and beauty products, and used pink graphics.
On 2 March 2009, JML BeautyShop was discontinued and was rebranded JML Lifestyle (the second time the name had been used). This channel offered a wider range of health, home, beauty, food and leisure products. It was then rebranded as JML Active and has now been sold.
On 15 June 2011, Argos TV
took over JML CookShop's Sky EPG slot, with JML CookShop moving further down the EPG, replacing JML Choice. Argos have leased the Sky EPG slot from JML for 12 months to trial the channel and also use JML's facilities.
name. For a time, JML continued to broadcast TV Warehouse products and continued to use the TV Warehouse branding, with the only noticeable changes being the addition of a titlecard featuring both the TV Warehouse and JML logos, and the rebranding of the channel TV Warehouse Select as TV Warehouse 2.
On 2 February 2009, JML closed both TV Warehouse
and TV Warehouse 2
channels.
JML Home & DIY launched on Sky 653 and shows a mix of home and DIY products. Shop Now TV relaunched after originally being replaced in January 2008. The channel is available on Sky 661. The channel shows a mix of products from around the world. Some of the former TV Warehouse products are also available on Shop Now TV.
(565 – the equivalent of the letters "JML" on an alphanumeric keypad). This service is promoted by JML through on-screen graphics and short trailers aired on the JML channels. JML is not the only shopping channel to operate an interactive service; QVC UK operates QVC Active, which can be launched by pressing the red button while watching QVC; and the defunct Simply Shopping had an interactive service for a time.
On 30 September 2009, JML simulcasts were ceased and given back to the original channel operator.
JML Active was replaced with Rocks & Co
programming on 1 February 2010.
, which took over the slot following the closure of Gems' previous 3 hour slot on channel 44. The JML/Rocks & Co. slot (Freeview EPG channel 49) was a shared frequency with Super Casino
(EPG channel 48), and as such JML/R&C could not broadcast while Super Casino was on air.
JML/Rocks & Co. had been due to be removed in May to make way for the launch of Quest
, but when the launch of this channel was delayed by Discovery Networks UK
, Rocks & Co. regained the slot on a temporary basis up until the launch of Quest. This arrangement saw UK Direct Shopping infomercials in the slot from 6am-8am, followed by Rocks & Co. content from 8am to midnight and then the Super Casino broadcast feed thereafter. This continued until the launch of Quest.
Summer 2009 also saw Rocks & Co. take over the 12am-2am slot on CNN International
's Freeview channel (EPG 84) which had previously been leased to SuperCasino. This meant that until the launch of Quest, the full live airtime of R&C was available on Freeview. The move only covered the Freeview slot and did not affect CNN carriage on satellite and cable, which continued to air CNN content in this slot.
On 30 September 2009, due to the launch of Quest, Rocks & Co. moved as part of a nationwide general Freeview retune. The broadcast moved from the shared slot with SuperCasino (multiplex A) and took up a previously unused 1pm-6pm slot on multiplex D which it shares with Russia Today
, Create and Craft
and Big Deal
. The R&C EPG channel number also moved from 49 to 40. The 12am-2am slot on channel 84 (CNN) ceased broadcast in conjunction with the reduced broadcasting hours of Rocks & Co. . The slot was briefly used by The Jewellery Channel, but now is used by Gems TV
On 12 April 2010, JML Direct was added to channel 201 on Channel M
's local multiplex in Manchester but was removed on 13 October 2010.
platform, JML launched JML Lifestyle, (as it was known then) on channel 810. On 28 October 2008, it was replaced with JML CookShop.
A couple of weeks later on 11 November 2008, a second JML branded channel launched, JML on channel 809.
On 24 March 2009, JML Home&DIY launched on channel 808.
On 16 June 2010, JML Home&DIY moved to channel 810, with JML Direct moving to channel 808 and JML CookShop moving to channel 809. JML Home&DIY was removed on 5 July 2010. On 18 May 2011, JML CookShop was removed from Freesat and replaced with JML Choice. On 15 June 2011, JML CookShop returned replacing JML Choice.
Freesat
Freesat is a free-to-air digital satellite television joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc, serving the United Kingdom. The service was formed as a memorandum in 2007 and has been marketed since 6 May 2008...
and Freeview platforms, owned by JML Direct Limited.
JML Direct TV originally launched on Sky channel 664, on 1 October 2002 as JML Direct. Due to various Sky EPG reshuffles, this original channel was later located on channel 657 and subsequently 667.
Development of the network
Following on from the launch of the original JML Direct channel, there have been a number of changes and expansions of the JML lineup. The majority of these changes have affected channels on the Sky platform, but some JML channels have also been made available on Freesat and Freeview and details of these operations are also listed below. The changes have taken place as follows:eeZee tv
QVC (UK)
QVC UK is a digital television shopping channel broadcast in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1993 when QVC, Inc. formed a deal with Sky TV to create a UK version of the US channel. "QVC — The Shopping Channel" first broadcast in the UK on 1 October 1993. QVC UK - 20% owned by Sky - moved into...
and Ideal World
Ideal World
Ideal World is a shopping channel in the UK whose sister shopping channels include Create and Craft, Ideal Extra and Ideal & More. It is owned by Ideal Shopping Direct Plc. Their sister health and beauty channel, Vitality, closed early in 2008...
.
In early 2007 live programming on eeZee TV was removed and replaced with pre-recorded material. Subsequently it was decided that this move alone would not save the channel, and on 3 March 2007 JML regained the EPG slot and rebranded it back to JML Direct TV. The channel continued to show various JML products, using ex-eeZee tv presenters and studios for some pre-recorded JML infomercials.
iBuy closure, two new JML channels
After the closure of HSN's UK auction channels iBuyIBuy
iBuy was a minor British satellite-based home shopping channel.Created & launched on the 18 April 2005, by Andy Sheldon, who was one of George Spitaliotis's senior management figures at Auction World.tv and also created their sister channel Chase-It.tv....
and iBuy2
IBuy
iBuy was a minor British satellite-based home shopping channel.Created & launched on the 18 April 2005, by Andy Sheldon, who was one of George Spitaliotis's senior management figures at Auction World.tv and also created their sister channel Chase-It.tv....
in early 2007, JML secured a deal with HSN to take over their old prime EPG slots, near the top of the Shopping EPG on 631 and 632 (next to QVC
QVC (UK)
QVC UK is a digital television shopping channel broadcast in the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1993 when QVC, Inc. formed a deal with Sky TV to create a UK version of the US channel. "QVC — The Shopping Channel" first broadcast in the UK on 1 October 1993. QVC UK - 20% owned by Sky - moved into...
). Then, at midnight on 28 May 2007, JML launched JML Direct TV on 631 and infomercial-based channel Shop Now TV on 632. At the same time their previous JML Direct TV channel was renamed to JML Extra. Both JML-named channels showed JML products around the clock, with Shop Now TV showing various products sourced from around the world.
On 7 January 2008, JML Direct TV was renamed JML Direct 1 on Sky 631 and Shop Now TV was dropped and was rebranded JML Direct 2 on Sky 632. Many of the Shop Now TV infomercials were dropped, though those products which JML decided to retain in their lineup would continue to appear, though now under the JML brand. JML Extra on 657 remained as it was.
Vector Direct liquidation and two more JML channels
On 23 December 2007, it was announced that Vector DirectVector Direct
Vector Direct was a direct response television company showing longform infomercials on the Freeview, Virgin Media cable service and Sky Digital platforms in the United Kingdom....
had decided to go into voluntary liquidation. This caused their two Sky EPG slots on 652 and 656 to go up for sale. Then, on 27 December 2007, it was announced that JML had successfully purchased the two slots. In nearly a year, JML had grown from a one-channel operation to five.
On 7 February 2008, JML Direct 1 was rebranded for a second time, now as just "JML". JML Direct 2 was rebranded JML Lifestyle and JML Extra was rebranded as JML Solutions. At this point, both 652 and 656 were still referred to as Vector 24/7 and Shop Vector + on the Sky EPG, though now carried JML-branded programming.
On 19 February 2008, both Vector Direct channels were renamed on the Sky EPG. Vector 24/7 became JML Choice on 652, and Shop Vector + on 656 was rebranded under the title JML Innovation.
Further rebrands and reshuffles
On 21 July 2008, as part of a complete EPG reshuffle of the 'Shopping' section on Sky, with the majority of channels being shifted down 10 EPG slots to make more room in the 'Kids' section. As a result, the JML channels moved to 641, 642, 662, 666 and 667.On 6 September 2008, JML Solutions (Sky 667) was rebranded as JML CookShop. The channel shows a mix of kitchen gadgets and cookware products, and introduced its own green graphics in place of the usual blue. This has now been rebranded as JML Choice.
On 23 September 2008, JML Innovation was rebranded as JML BeautyShop on Sky 666. The channel showed a mix of health and beauty products, and used pink graphics.
On 2 March 2009, JML BeautyShop was discontinued and was rebranded JML Lifestyle (the second time the name had been used). This channel offered a wider range of health, home, beauty, food and leisure products. It was then rebranded as JML Active and has now been sold.
On 15 June 2011, Argos TV
Argos (retailer)
Argos is the largest general-goods retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland with over 800 stores. It is unique amongst major retailers in the UK in that it is a catalogue merchant...
took over JML CookShop's Sky EPG slot, with JML CookShop moving further down the EPG, replacing JML Choice. Argos have leased the Sky EPG slot from JML for 12 months to trial the channel and also use JML's facilities.
TV Warehouse closure
In late 2008, JML purchased two channels which had broadcast under the TV WarehouseTV Warehouse
TV Warehouse was an infomercial-based shopping channel brand based in the UK. The channels was owned by JML.-History:TV Warehouse first launched in November 2001 by Canis Media. A sister channel TV Warehouse Select was launched in May 2002. In May 2005, both TV Warehouse channels were sold to TV...
name. For a time, JML continued to broadcast TV Warehouse products and continued to use the TV Warehouse branding, with the only noticeable changes being the addition of a titlecard featuring both the TV Warehouse and JML logos, and the rebranding of the channel TV Warehouse Select as TV Warehouse 2.
On 2 February 2009, JML closed both TV Warehouse
TV Warehouse
TV Warehouse was an infomercial-based shopping channel brand based in the UK. The channels was owned by JML.-History:TV Warehouse first launched in November 2001 by Canis Media. A sister channel TV Warehouse Select was launched in May 2002. In May 2005, both TV Warehouse channels were sold to TV...
and TV Warehouse 2
TV Warehouse
TV Warehouse was an infomercial-based shopping channel brand based in the UK. The channels was owned by JML.-History:TV Warehouse first launched in November 2001 by Canis Media. A sister channel TV Warehouse Select was launched in May 2002. In May 2005, both TV Warehouse channels were sold to TV...
channels.
JML Home & DIY launched on Sky 653 and shows a mix of home and DIY products. Shop Now TV relaunched after originally being replaced in January 2008. The channel is available on Sky 661. The channel shows a mix of products from around the world. Some of the former TV Warehouse products are also available on Shop Now TV.
TV Keys
As of April 2009, JML have launched an interactive shopping service which is available through the Miniweb-owned TV Keys interactive platform within Sky's interactive menu. To access the service, viewers have to go to the Interactive menu on their on-screen guide, follow the link to the TV Keys launch page and enter JML's TV KeyTV Key
A TV Key is a mechanism for any advertiser or content owner to link consumers to specific interactive television destinations, including enhanced TV applications, from media delivered over broadcast or broadband networks TV Keys can be embedded in any video stream and can be used as an on-screen...
(565 – the equivalent of the letters "JML" on an alphanumeric keypad). This service is promoted by JML through on-screen graphics and short trailers aired on the JML channels. JML is not the only shopping channel to operate an interactive service; QVC UK operates QVC Active, which can be launched by pressing the red button while watching QVC; and the defunct Simply Shopping had an interactive service for a time.
JML Active
In September 2009, a further new channel was launched, replacing the simulcast channel JML Choice. JML Active took over channel 662 (and the simulcast on 656) with a selection of sports, leisure and health products.On 30 September 2009, JML simulcasts were ceased and given back to the original channel operator.
JML Active was replaced with Rocks & Co
Rocks & Co
Rocks & Co. is a British falling-price auction-style home shopping channel specialising in jewellery, the primary competitors to Gems TV, Rocks TV and The Jewellery Channel. The channel currently broadcasts live from 13:00 to 23:00 daily , with the live shows replayed between 9:30-13:00 and...
programming on 1 February 2010.
Freeview
On 22 January 2009, both JML and Rocks & Co. launched on Freeview as a programme block on channel 49. JML was available between 09:00 and 11:00, and 14:00 and 16:00. Rocks & Co. was also available between 16:00 and 21:00. On 27 February 2009, JML extended its hours to 07:00 – 16:00 and was set to remain on Freeview until 11 May 2009. However, on 31 March 2009, Rocks & Co. ceased broadcasting its 5 hour block on channel 49 and on 1 April 2009, it was replaced with 5 hours of Gems TVGems TV
Gems TV was a jewellery manufacturer and reverse auction TV shopping network headquartered in Chanthaburi, Thailand. It began its operations in October 2004 in the UK, and then expanded to Germany, America, Japan and China...
, which took over the slot following the closure of Gems' previous 3 hour slot on channel 44. The JML/Rocks & Co. slot (Freeview EPG channel 49) was a shared frequency with Super Casino
Super Casino (TV channel)
Super Casino is a gambling television channel in the United Kingdom which launched in April 2005 as Vegas 24/7 and was owned by Telecoms TV, later Vegas 24/7 Broadcasting Ltd and currently by NetPlayTV plc.-Broadcasting:...
(EPG channel 48), and as such JML/R&C could not broadcast while Super Casino was on air.
JML/Rocks & Co. had been due to be removed in May to make way for the launch of Quest
Quest (TV channel)
Quest is a TV channel in the United Kingdom. Quest provides factual, lifestyle, entertainment programmes and other imported material. The channel is operated by Discovery Networks Western Europe.-History:...
, but when the launch of this channel was delayed by Discovery Networks UK
Discovery Networks UK
Discovery Networks UK was a branch of Discovery Networks responsible for overseeing Discovery Networks Europe's channels in the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland....
, Rocks & Co. regained the slot on a temporary basis up until the launch of Quest. This arrangement saw UK Direct Shopping infomercials in the slot from 6am-8am, followed by Rocks & Co. content from 8am to midnight and then the Super Casino broadcast feed thereafter. This continued until the launch of Quest.
Summer 2009 also saw Rocks & Co. take over the 12am-2am slot on CNN International
CNN International
CNN International is an international English language television network that carries news, current affairs, politics, opinions, and business programming worldwide. CNN is one of the world's largest news organizations. It is owned by Time Warner, and is affiliated with CNN, which is mainly...
's Freeview channel (EPG 84) which had previously been leased to SuperCasino. This meant that until the launch of Quest, the full live airtime of R&C was available on Freeview. The move only covered the Freeview slot and did not affect CNN carriage on satellite and cable, which continued to air CNN content in this slot.
On 30 September 2009, due to the launch of Quest, Rocks & Co. moved as part of a nationwide general Freeview retune. The broadcast moved from the shared slot with SuperCasino (multiplex A) and took up a previously unused 1pm-6pm slot on multiplex D which it shares with Russia Today
RT (TV network)
RT, previously known as Russia Today, is a global multilingual television news network based in the Russian Federation run by the state-owned state-run RIA Novosti....
, Create and Craft
Ideal World
Ideal World is a shopping channel in the UK whose sister shopping channels include Create and Craft, Ideal Extra and Ideal & More. It is owned by Ideal Shopping Direct Plc. Their sister health and beauty channel, Vitality, closed early in 2008...
and Big Deal
The Big Deal (TV channel)
The Big Deal is a TV channel in the United Kingdom on the Freeview platform.When launched in 2009, The Big Deal broadcast live interactive quiz show 7 days a week from 22:00-05:00 on Freeview channel 37, then changed to channel 32, timesharing with the RT Network and Create and Craft...
. The R&C EPG channel number also moved from 49 to 40. The 12am-2am slot on channel 84 (CNN) ceased broadcast in conjunction with the reduced broadcasting hours of Rocks & Co. . The slot was briefly used by The Jewellery Channel, but now is used by Gems TV
On 12 April 2010, JML Direct was added to channel 201 on Channel M
Channel m
Channel M is a regional television station, based in Manchester, England. It began broadcasting on 14 February 2000 as Manchester Student Television and is owned and operated by the Guardian Media Group.-Coverage:...
's local multiplex in Manchester but was removed on 13 October 2010.
Freesat
On 6 May 2008, as part of the official launch of the FreesatFreesat
Freesat is a free-to-air digital satellite television joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc, serving the United Kingdom. The service was formed as a memorandum in 2007 and has been marketed since 6 May 2008...
platform, JML launched JML Lifestyle, (as it was known then) on channel 810. On 28 October 2008, it was replaced with JML CookShop.
A couple of weeks later on 11 November 2008, a second JML branded channel launched, JML on channel 809.
On 24 March 2009, JML Home&DIY launched on channel 808.
On 16 June 2010, JML Home&DIY moved to channel 810, with JML Direct moving to channel 808 and JML CookShop moving to channel 809. JML Home&DIY was removed on 5 July 2010. On 18 May 2011, JML CookShop was removed from Freesat and replaced with JML Choice. On 15 June 2011, JML CookShop returned replacing JML Choice.