The History Channel is finally coming to the Benelux. A launch is planned in the second quarter of this year beginning with the UPC Netherlands network. Other agreements will be announced soon. Chellomedia’s Digital Media Centre (DMC) will transmit the signal for The History Channel from its technical facility in Amsterdam to the Benelux as well as to Scandinavia. In addition, Chellomedia will act as a distribution representative for The History Channel in the Benelux for pay-TV platforms.
The History Channel UK, a joint venture of A&E Television Networks (AETN) and British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), will have a special Dutch language version, which offers a separate schedule from the UK service. The channel claims it is available in over 125 countries in more than 210 million TV households. The UK joint venture with Sky launched in November 1995 and operates The History Channel, The Biography Channel, Crime & Investigation Network and The History Channel HD in the UK. The joint venture also operates The History Channel in Scandinavia, Sub-Sahara Africa and Greece, as well as Crime & Investigation Network in Sub-Sahara Africa.
“2007 is proving to be a significant year as we have made major strides in expanding the European footprint of The History Channel with Scandinavia and Benelux,” said Sean Cohan, Vice President, International, AETN in a prepared statement. “We are looking forward to offering viewers in Benelux our award-winning content across platforms – via mobile, broadband and VOD. We also look forward to securing additional distribution for The History Channel throughout the region and to introducing our other channel brands, The History Channel HD, The Biography Channel, Crime & Investigation Network into Benelux in the near future.”
