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Screen Test
(FORTUNE Small Business) – THE ARRIVAL OF DIGITAL CABLE HAS GIVEN US SO MUCH. (HBO-7, anyone?) And the million-channel universe spells opportunity for entrepreneurs; about a dozen are starting networks this year. We've listed some below. Extra credit if you can spot the fake. BLACK BELT TV The Karate Kid back to back with Jet Li? Mortal Kombat producer Larry Kasanoff wants his network to be the MTV of martial arts, complete with Japanese animation shorts and live kung fu competitions. And forget VJs--Black Belt TV says its hosts are "gorgeous female fight jocks." FUELTV Hey, Mountain Dew generation! Are you ready for some extreme kiting? That's just one of the offerings on this network, where motorbike magazine pinups host live extreme sports events and how-to segments. You can also watch the "world's dumbest stripper" interview up-and-coming rock & roll bands. Wait--are you sure this isn't PBS? THE ICE CHANNEL This network will showcase figure skating's greatest moments--no, we can't think of any either--as well as junior, regional, and national contests. There's no better place to watch the dreams of underweight adolescents get shattered. THE ZEN NETWORK Founded by a former Zen monk who used to write scripts for the '80s sitcom Growing Pains, it delivers "24 hours of bliss" with morning and evening yoga instruction and reality series Cross-Country With a Motorcycle and My Son. Catch Sunday's chats with Lakers coach Phil Jackson and the nightly Spot Meditation, featuring an hour of white noise. REALITY CENTRAL A former Amazing Race contestant started this all-reality-TV channel, proving that television programming is easier than following a map. Here you can watch the "most memorable" Survivor reruns and interviews with former stars. Who says those 15 minutes of fame ever have to end? -- MAGGIE OVERFELT ANSWER: There is no ZEN Network. Yet. |
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