The Z Channel is a specialty television subchannel that is devoted to the art of cinema due to the eclectic choice of films. Back in the '70s, it was one of the first pay television stations in the United States. Launched in 1974 from Los Angeles, California, the first version was known for its devotion to the art of cinema due to the eclectic choice of films by the programming chief at the time, Jerry Harvey. It also popularized the use of letterboxing on television, as well as showing 'director's cut' versions of films (which is a term popularized after Z Channel's showing of Heaven's Gate). Z Channel's devotion to cinema and choice of rare and important films had an important influence on such directors as Robert Altman, Quentin Tarantino, and Jim Jarmusch. Z Channel was owned by Theta Cable (a division of TelePrompTer Corporation and Hughes Aircraft Co.) which was acquired by Group W (Westinghouse) in 1981. Operations were located in Santa Monica, California. In 1989, the original Z Channel faded to black and was replaced by SportsChannel Los Angeles. However, nineteen years later, in 2008, the Z Channel was revived as a digital subchannel with the same focus and premise as the original version. The modern Z Channel also letterboxes films, shows "director's cut" versions of movies, and is devoted to the art of cinema, much like the older version. The Z Channel is currently owned by Luke Sams Corporation.
List of stations that have Z Channel as a subchannel
If you wish to add Z Channel as a subchannel, you can add your station to this station list.
Call sign | Channel | City | State | Network |
---|---|---|---|---|
KAVT | 5.2 | Arlen | TX | ABC |
KBMC-TV | 28.3 | Battle Mountain (Eastern Side) | NV | The CW |
KCER-TV | 42.19 | Benton | AR | ABN |
KCFC | 28.2 | Denver | CO | FOX |
KDAS | 27.2 | Shreveport | LA | RDN |
KFBM | 2.3 | Battle Mountain (Western Side) | NV | FOX |
KFRC | 18.3 | Fresno | CA | The CW |
KIKR | 13.4 | Port Arthur/Beaumont | TX | MyTV/MyNetworkTV |
KRLM | 2.2 | Anchorage | AK | CBS |
KWHC | 9.3 | Ely | NV | CBS |
WAOH | 24.2 | Akron | OH | NBC |
WCDL | 18.2 | Cleveland | MyNetworkTV | |
WGVO | 4.2 | Dublin | OH | FOX |
WLIN | 30.3 | New York City | NY | IND |
WMII | 2.2 | Miami | FL | KTV |
WTWT | 4.2 | Albany | NY | ABC |
WRAI | 35.2 | Toledo | OH | RDN |
WRDN | 26.4 | Ponyville | EQ | RDN |
WVAL | 32.5 | Valdosta | GA | NBC |
WXXR | 2.1 | Terre Haute | IN | FOX |
WWCD | 13.2 | Columbus | OH | |
WWCT | 7.2 | Peoria | IL | ABC |
WFBV | 27.2 | Burlington-Plattsburgh | VT/NY | Fox |