Corus gears up for CosmoTV launch

Corus Entertainment is gearing up for the Feb. 14 launch of CosmoTV with an interactive website and some new details about programming. Viewers are currently getting a glimpse of the new channel in a programming block on Corus’ W Network, while, at www.cosmotv.ca, viewers can vote in the CosmoTV Bachelor Search or peruse sex tips, quizzes, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes content. L’Oreal Paris is currently advertising at the site.

The new channel will focus on men, sex and relationships — much like the magazine brand. Launched in partnership with Hearst Corporation, CosmoTV is promising fun, flirty and irreverent entertainment for women aged 18-34 — and it just may take a bite out of the still-young Alliance Atlantis guilty pleasure channel Slice. Cosmopolitan TV Canada joins Cosmopolitan Television networks in Spain and Latin America.

Corus EVP/GM lifestyle, drama and movies Susan Ross says Cosmo ‘is an iconic brand, one that really resonates with young women. And with Corus’ long-standing experience in women’s specialty television — right out of the gate we have a good head start at making this a success.’

The channel’s flagship series is Oh So Cosmo, dubbed the ultimate guide for the single girl and hosted by Josie Dye. The sex-tips-and-more half-hour show will premiere Thursday, Feb. 14, at 10 p.m. ET before settling into a Wednesday 9 p.m. ET timeslot. Other programming will include uncut marathons of Sex and the City and The Bachelor.

Other grabbers on the schedule include: The Agency, a seven-part series following booking agents from the top-flight Wilhelmina modeling agency; Abbey and Janice: Beauty and the Best, a six-parter featuring Britain’s Next Top Model star Abbey Clancy and über-supermodel Janice Dickinson as they break Clancy into the American modeling world; and Dirty Cows, a comedic look at a bunch of English roses who fight dirty to win the hand and land of a wealthy, handsome farmer.

Friday nights will be billed CineCosmo and filled with chick-friendly flicks like Before Sunset and Pretty in Pink. Weekend mornings will be aimed at helping the Cosmo girl recover from a night on the town. Hangover Weekends will include a programming block that airs Beautiful People, Miss Match, Felicity, Veronica Mars, American Princess, Ladette to Lady, The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Abbey and Janice: Beauty and the Best.

From Media in Canada