A1 TV channel is the adventure channel of Asia. A1 is a 24-hour adventure channel for everyone with an adventurous spirit -- from the average person to the more serious adventure enthusiast. Adventure one`s programming, with an accent on adventure, is the kind that would interest the hardcore adventure fan. The channel`s programs feature outdoor adventure, adventure personalities, adventure tips and special events from around the world. The channel has a niche profile. A1claims to cover a range of active outdoor adventure, therefore the programming mix includes adventure travel, adventure sport and adventure personalities.
Adventure 1 was relaunched as A1 in the whole of Asia on July 7th 2003. The name A1 reflects the fast and energetic pace of our 24-hour adventure channel. The on-air geographic elements feature sleek and wavy effects in the three colors of blue, green and yellow. Programme series included in this channel range from Adventure Challenge, a 26 episode long one hour series; Mountain Rescuers; Everest, The Dark Side; Blake Expedition: Operation Amazon; Adventure Quest, Explorer`s Journal, Danger Diaries, Surfer`s Journal and The Hunt for Amazing Treasures. Avalanche Angels and the new 2004 Action Asia Challenge adventure race series. A collection of 26, one minute long Adventure Diaries India vignettes all about different types of adventures with an Indian twist also runs on this channel. Another interesting programme is the climb to Mount Cook in New Zealand by three mountaineers on the 100th anniversary of the first summit on this peak. Quite recently, the channel sidestepped its usual fare and telecast the series on Indian Railways.
A1 was first launched in Europe in late 1999, followed by Middle East in November 2000 and Australia in May 2001. The Channel has been rolling out throughout Asia since 2001. A1 is currently available in markets including Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Indochina, Pacific Islands, Australia, Middle East and Europe, with a distribution that is growing. In Asia Pacific, the Channel is available in an encrypted digital format on the Asia-Sat-3 satellite, and is distributed in over 9 million 24-hour homes and 16 million (Thailand terrestrial block) day-part homes.
A1 is brought to viewers by Fox and National Geographic, and is currently available in 17 million 24-hour households in Hong Kong, Korea, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Indochina, Pacific Islands, Australia, Middle East and Europe. In India, the channel`s reach is not very good. Though broadcast by multi-system operators, its clarity across many homes in Mumbai is far from clear. But nobody is complaining. That`s because only the discerning viewer with a serious interest in adventure would be interested. But as far as the channel`s limited viewership is concerned, that is soon expected to change. National Geographic has plans to introduce Indian programming to capture the domestic viewer`s attention.
