Orbit creates world first with 'Joey' series

The show is being brought to viewers following Orbit's exclusive agreement with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution, and demonstrates the network's enriched Western programming combined with a speed to market of some two years earlier than other broadcasters in the region.

The rollout of the Friends spin-off comedy on the network's TVMAX channel in May precedes the series' debut on Orbit's special Warner Bros. blocks of primetime programming on its popular Super Comedy channel in September under its 'First See TV' banner.

The September launch will follow the final episode of the last series of Friends - also airing on the Super Comedy channel. This doubling of the offer, Orbit says, will not only ensure continuity of the current programming sequence but will also make the series more readily available to Matt Le Blanc fans who just can't wait!

"Directly supporting Orbit's 'See it First' campaign the series will be available to Orbit viewers as it is to US audiences. Two episodes of Joey will be packaged in to a daily back-to-back block and will be available Saturday through Friday to fit within our existing TVMAX schedule and business model, and maximum viewing flexibility will also be provided since the same two episodes will be available for an entire week," said Khulud Abu-Homos, Orbit's Senior Vice President of Western Programming and Creative Services.

"The success of any pay-television network is in delivering to viewers the very latest, exclusive, award-winning series and movies. This truly value added offering - a TV series on Pay-Per-Day - is of course an unprecedented world first but is equally a demonstration of our commitment to delivering the very best television entertainment to our viewers," she added.