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{{Infobox television channel
| name         = Fearnet
| logo         = Fearnet.jpg
| logo_size    = 150px
| logo_caption =
| image        =
| launch_date  = {{Plainlist|
* {{Start date and age|2006|10|31}} (VOD)
* {{Start date and age|2010|10|31}} (linear channel)
}}
| closed_date  = {{End date and age|2014|7|30}}
| owner        = [[NBCUniversal]]
| country      = [[United States]]
| language     = [[English language|English]]
| area         = Nationwide
| headquarters =
| website      = {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.fearnet.com/ |date=* |title=Archived official website }}
}}

'''Fearnet''' was an American [[digital cable]] [[television network]], website and [[video on demand]] service owned by [[Comcast]]. The network specialized in [[Horror fiction|horror]] entertainment programming through a mix of acquired and original series, and feature films.

==Background and platforms==
===Fearnet on Demand===
Fearnet launched on October 31, 2006 as a [[video on demand]] service, '''Fearnet On Demand'''. It was originally operated as a [[joint venture]] between [[Comcast]], [[Lions Gate Entertainment]], and [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]]. The on-demand service featured full-length horror, thriller, and suspense films as well as shorts, [[Trailer (promotion)|trailers]], interviews, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. It was available to subscribers of Comcast,<ref name="new programming">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2011/05/fearnet-rolls-out-new-programm.php|title=FEARnet Rolls Out New Programming, Sets Up Carriage Deals|work=TV Week|date=May 2, 2011|access-date=April 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112231153/http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/tvbizwire/2011/05/fearnet-rolls-out-new-programm.php|archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> [[Cox Communications]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cox.com/about/value/ondemand_programming.pdf|title=About Us - Cox Communications|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112231200/http://www.cox.com/about/value/ondemand_programming.pdf|archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref> [[Verizon FiOS]],<ref name="new programming"/> [[AT&T U-verse]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandedcontent.adage.com/cableguide2012/network.php?id=44|title=FEARnet - Cable Guide 2012 - Advertising Age|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028163151/http://brandedcontent.adage.com/cableguide2012/network.php?id=44|archive-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> [[Insight Communications]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myinsight.com/Product-Cable-OND.asp |title=Insight Communications :: Digital Cable :: On Demand |access-date=2013-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824002409/http://www.myinsight.com/Product-Cable-OND.asp |archive-date=2013-08-24 }}</ref> [[Bresnan Communications]],<ref name="cable channel">{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/fearnet-launch-cable-channel-18592|title=FearNet to Launch Cable Channel|last=Walker|first=Hunter|work=The Wrap|date=June 21, 2010|access-date=April 15, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121080120/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/column-post/fearnet-launch-cable-channel-18592|archive-date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> Guadalupe Valley Systems,<ref name="cable channel"/> [[Buckeye CableSystem]], [[Time Warner Cable]], [[Wave Broadband]], [[Bright House Networks]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvlistings.brighthouse.com/digitalcable/findTvListings/viewChannelLineUp/?headendId=IN13507X|title=Bright House Networks - Find Your Channel Listings|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028170512/http://tvlistings.brighthouse.com/digitalcable/findTvListings/viewChannelLineUp/?headendId=IN13507X|archive-date=28 October 2014}}</ref> and [[CenturyLink]].

===Fearnet cable channel===
Fearnet launched as a linear [[cable channel]] on October 31, 2010. The network was originally scheduled to launch four weeks earlier on October 1,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38121/fearnet-launches-cable-channel-october|title=FEARnet Launches Cable Channel in October|last=Barton|first=Steve|work=Dread Central|date=June 21, 2010|access-date=May 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017101457/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/38121/fearnet-launches-cable-channel-october|archive-date=October 17, 2013}}</ref> but the date was pushed back as Fearnet was in the midst of carriage negotiations with cable providers to carry the linear channel. The Fearnet channel was available through Comcast (in select markets), [[Cox Communications]], Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, [[Bright House Networks]], and CenturyLink. The network aired over 350 full-length feature films annually, as well as popular series (such as ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]'' and ''[[Reaper (TV series)|Reaper]]'') and original content (such as ''[[Holliston (TV series)|Holliston]]'') and the weekend [[block programming|program block]] called "Funhouse".

In September 2012, Fearnet became the first television network to offer Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zonewire.net/telescope/page/its-alive-dynamic-vod-ads-are-up-running-and-not-that-scary|title=It's alive! Dynamic VOD ads are up, running...and not all that scary|last=Schley|first=Stewart|work=Zonewire|date=February 11, 2013|access-date=April 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112231455/http://zonewire.net/telescope/page/its-alive-dynamic-vod-ads-are-up-running-and-not-that-scary|archive-date=November 12, 2013}}</ref> technology which decreases integration time from four weeks to as few as three days, and allows advertisers to refresh creative mid-campaign and track impressions on a daily basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323336104578503572001847946|title=On Demand: Quick Ad Switch|last1=Sharma|first1=Amol|last2=Vranica|first2=Suzanne|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=May 27, 2013|access-date=April 15, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611183802/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323336104578503572001847946|archive-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

===Fearnet.com===
The Fearnet website featured thriller, suspense, and horror films available for [[streaming media|streaming]] (with available content updated each week); other videos including movie trailers and [[short film|shorts]]; daily news and reviews that covered all aspects of the genre; and sweepstakes, chats, and forums. The website had over 270,000 registered users.

===Leadership and ownership changes===
In 2010, Peter Block (who launched the top-grossing [[Saw (franchise)|''Saw'' horror film franchise]], and produced several other blockbuster horror and thriller films including ''[[Hostel (2005 film)|Hostel]]'', ''[[Cabin Fever (2002 film)|Cabin Fever]]'', ''[[Open Water (film)|Open Water]]'', and ''[[House at the End of the Street]]'') was named president and [[general manager]] of Fearnet, replacing Diane Robina.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Saw|title=Saw Franchise Box Office History|website=The Numbers|access-date=25 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228234500/http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Saw|archive-date=28 December 2014}}</ref> In addition to his duties at Fearnet, Block continued to run his production company A Bigger Boat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0088756/|title=Peter Block|website=IMDb|access-date=25 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628095917/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0088756/|archive-date=28 June 2014}}</ref>

===Merger with Chiller===
On April 14, 2014, Comcast purchased Lions Gate Entertainment and Sony Pictures Entertainment's stakes in Fearnet to acquire full ownership of the channel.<ref name=closure>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/comcast-takes-full-control-of-fearnet-to-fold-it-in-into-chiller-syfy-714465/|title=Comcast Takes Full Control Of FEARnet, To Fold It In Into Chiller & Syfy|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 14, 2014|access-date=April 14, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416084355/http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/comcast-takes-full-control-of-fearnet-to-fold-it-in-into-chiller-syfy/|archive-date=April 16, 2014}}</ref> Comcast planned to fold Fearnet's programming into its existing horror- and thriller-focused network Chiller (owned by the company's [[NBCUniversal Cable]] unit) and move some of Fearnet's programming to Syfy.<ref name=closure/> Fearnet ceased operations on July 30, 2014 shortly after midnight, after an airing of ''[[House of 1000 Corpses]]''

==Programming==

===Original programming===
On April 3, 2012, Fearnet premiered their only original series, ''[[Holliston (TV series)|Holliston]]'', a horror/comedy series starring real-life filmmakers [[Adam Green (filmmaker)|Adam Green]] and [[Joe Lynch (director)|Joe Lynch]] as two college graduates chasing the dream of becoming successful horror filmmakers while struggling to make ends meet through their jobs at a [[Boston]] [[Public-access television|public-access cable channel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/472198-FearNet_Greenlights_First_Original_Series.php|title=Fearnet Greenlights First Original Series|last=Umstead|first=R. Thomas|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=August 8, 2011|access-date=May 20, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102014912/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/472198-FearNet_Greenlights_First_Original_Series.php|archive-date=November 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2014681/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|title=Holliston (TV Series 2012– )|author=nnnoooiiissseee|work=IMDb|access-date=25 December 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712150935/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2014681/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1|archive-date=12 July 2015}}</ref> The series was renewed for a second season which aired in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fearnet-holliston-renewed-season-2-313019|title='Holliston', FEARnet's First Original Series, Renewed for Second Season|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 17, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316105905/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fearnet-holliston-renewed-season-2-313019|archive-date=March 16, 2014}}</ref>

===''Funhouse''===
In August 2012, Fearnet debuted a two-hour program block on Saturday and Sunday mornings called "Funhouse", featuring reruns of science-fiction and horror series aimed at children, including: ''[[The Real Ghostbusters]]'', ''[[Tales from the Cryptkeeper]]'', ''[[Eerie, Indiana]]'', and ''[[Dark Oracle]]''.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{NBCUniversal}}
{{U.S. television movie channels}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}

[[Category:Streaming television in the United States]]
[[Category:NBCUniversal networks]]
[[Category:Companies based in Santa Monica, California]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct television networks in the United States]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2006]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations disestablished in 2014]]
[[Category:Horror fiction websites]]
[[Category:Former Lionsgate subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Former Sony subsidiaries]]
[[Category:Former joint ventures]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Fearnet|access_date=2026-03-03}}