Channel operator AETN has renamed its UK operation from The History Channel to AETN UK.

The group operates as a 50-50 joint venture with UK pay-TV operator BSkyB and its portfolio of channels includes History, Bio, Crime & Investigation Network, Military History. There are also HD versions of these channels. The name change took effect this week.
As well as the UK, AETN UK has responsibility for running the channels in Scandinavia, central and eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Recently installed AETN UK managing director Tom Davidson told Informa Telecoms & Media that securing extra distribution for the channels across these territories is one of his key targets.
In the US AETN operates the general entertainment A&E channel, but that is not likely to launch in the AETN UK territories any time soon.

“We have talked about launching it a lot, but it requires a lot of investment and competition in the general entertainment segment is fierce,” Davidson said. “We want to get other channel brands out first.”