Turner South was launched on October 1, 1999, [1] by Turner Broadcasting System as the first regional entertainment network developed especially for viewers in the southern United States. The regional cable TV network offered movies, tv series, sitcoms, regional news updates, and unique original programming, plus professional sports coverage for Atlanta Braves (Major League Baseball), Atlanta Hawks (National Basketball Association), and Atlanta Thrashers (National Hockey League), all of which were owned by Turner Broadcasting at network launch. The cable and satellite television service reached approximately 8 million subscribers across a six-state region comprising Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, South Carolina, and regions of western North Carolina. The original series that the network broadcasted can be broadly termed "southern lifestyle". The network broadcasted cooking and gardening shows, among others. From 2000 to 2006, the sitcoms and dramas the network broadcasted tended to appeal to Southerners, or are set in the South--such as Major Dad and In the Heat of the Night, as well as a live simulcast of The Rick and Bubba Show'. On February 23, 2006, Fox Cable Networks agreed to purchase Turner South, reportedly for $375 million. On May 1, 2006, Fox took over operations of the cable network. Most of Turner South's old programming, including Rick and Bubba and the movies shown were discontinued. Some of Turner South's lifestyle and "how-to" programming (including Blue Ribbon, Home Plate, Home Makers, and Junkin') were retained, and aired in two weekday blocks: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Eastern time). Much of the remaining programming was repurposed from other Fox Sports Net properties, including (most notably) FSN South. On October 13, 2006, the network had officially changed its name to SportSouth. The original SportSouth was founded by Turner Broadcasting System in 1990. Programs included Atlanta Braves games, Atlanta Hawks games, Atlanta Knights games, college sports, and some syndicated shows. One of them, This Week in NASCAR, was hosted by sportscasting veteran Eli Gold. Viewers could call in and discuss NASCAR racing with drivers and other guests. That show was produced at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. This original SportSouth was acquired by Fox in 1996, and is now FSN South.[2]The channel is operated as a sister network much like FSN West and Prime Ticket in Southern California.
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