German gay channel insolvent
Written by Jörn Krieger
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 20:14
timm_logoAnother thematic television channel in Germany has run into financial difficulties: The operating company of TIMM, a channel for homosexual men, has filed for insolvency at the district court of Berlin-Charlottenburg.
Deutsche Fernsehwerke (DFW) says that the need for additional funding to cover TIMM’s expansion was the reason for the financial problems, but stresses hat the goal is to restore the channel. TIMM is still on air, but it remains unclear for how long broadcasts will continue. The insolvency administrator is expected to reach a decision soon.
In May 2009, it became known that TIMM was struggling with financial difficulties, when the channel laid off 25 employees to save costs. However, in September 2009, things were looking brighter again when NRW.BANK and media service provider cine plus were taken onboard as new investors. Other shareholders are investment group IBB, production company south&browse, publishing house Madsack and DFW founder Frank Lukas.
The advertising-financed channel, which launched on November 1 2008, screens news, reports, series and movies. The free-to-air service can be received via cable, satellite, IPTV and internet. After e.clips and XXHome, TIMM is the third German thematic TV channel to have filed for insolvency in recent weeks, showing that the strong decline of the advertising market, prompted by the economic downturn, seems to have the worst effect on niche channels.