Channel 4's film channel FilmFour will transition from a paid subscription serviceto a free channel with a relaunch on July 23.

Satellite TV and Freeview customers will now be able to watch the channel,renamed Film4, without subscribing, making it the UK's biggest film channel. Advertising will be runduring the films, a change from the subscription channel.

The programming for Film4will include a range of classic and contemporary from around the world. Aquarter of all films programmed will be from the UK.

The channel will also airtitles produced by Channel 4's separate film production division, FilmFour.

The channel'sfree relaunch starts with Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation followed by JonathanGlazer's Sexy Beast.

Other initial programmingstrands include seminal films, horror films, British productions, shorts,seasons and other themed programming events.

Channel 4 said it is alsodeveloping a Film4-branded video-on-demand subscription service for broadband,mobile and cable.

"Increasing Film4'sdistribution and making it freely available will help maintain and protectChannel 4's stake in British film for the next 25 years," said Channel 4director of TV Kevin Lygo.