AEG Looks To Partner On Digital Channel For L.A. Live Events

AEG Looking To Partner On Digital Channel Featuring Events From L.A. Live

AEG is shopping a proposal to L.A. broadcast stations "about partnering on a digital channel that would feature telecasts of some events at the Staples Center and Nokia Theater," according to DAILY VARIETY. The channel, which would be called L.A. Live, would feature a "range of other programming tied to music, sports, fashion and travel events with an AEG connection." AEG, which "aims to capitalize on the national switch to all-digital broadcasting" on February 17, is "pitching the channel as advertiser-friendly programming that a local station could run on one of its digital multicast channels or on the bandwidth available to a station when it is not broadcasting at maximum [HD] strength." AEG currently is building a $20M broadcast facility at its L.A. Live complex "that would serve as the central hub for the channel." AEG President & CEO Tim Leiweke said that the company "has broader plans for national and international TV channels featuring AEG-related events." Leiweke: "We are committed to creating a lifestyle channel that would be about music and fashion and sports and point-of-destination travel. ... When we see changes in the landscape come next February, I think you will see (that) we will be part of that switch" (DAILY VARIETY, 9/23).