Bach videos to tempt young viewers

LONDON, UK (Classic Fm) - Classical music station Classic FM has confirmed it is to launch a classical music TV channel in an attempt to woo younger fans.

The UK's biggest commercial station, Classic FM will concentrate on contemporary stars of the classical world and music from hit films.
"This is a unique format for music television, " said Managing director of Classic FM Roger Lewis. "Classic FM TV will be the first 24/7 classical music video channel anywhere in the world."
He said the launch of the TV station underlined the company's commitment to "building new audiences for classical music".

Classic FM TV will be available to digital satellite viewers and will go in to 6.3 million homes, although a launch date has not yet been announced.
It will feature artists such as Kyung-Wha Chung, Angela Gheorghiu, Nigel Kennedy, The Opera Babes, Yo-Yo Ma and music from film soundtracks such as The Piano and Star Wars.
Some of the videos are to be tailor-made for the channel.

The extension of Classic FM into TV follows successes with its magazine and record label.
The station's audience has grown over the 10 years since its launch from 4.7m listeners a week to almost 7m a week. Its presenters include Henry Kelly, Simon Bates, Humphrey Burton, Stephen Fry and newsreader Katie Derham.