MIPCOM 2010 – CANNES. Bruce Tuchman, president of MGM Worldwide Networks, has announced that it is launching a Castilian language HD version of the MGM Channel in Spain. The SD version of the MGM Channel has been available across the country’s cable and IPTV platforms for the past six years.
Distributed to platforms through a strategic alliance with Spain’s leading independent channel group, Chello Multicanal, the HD version of the MGM Channel has already launched with Telefonica’s Imagenio platform on September 30, 2010. Telefonica’s Imagenio will also continue to carry the channel in its SD format. MGM Channel has access to a library consisting of more than 4,100 film titles
Eduardo Zulueta, MD, Chello Multicanal, said in a statement: “MGM is truly an iconic brand. When Multicanal started its activity in the mid 90’s, MGM was the first US studio to support us with a significant movie slate. After years of an excellent relationship, it is only fitting that the first HD project Chello Multicanal launches in the Spanish market is MGM HD. As the pioneers in thematic television in Spain, we are delighted to be able to provide this channel to our audience.”
“With an incredible demand for our HD services, MGM continues to cement its leadership position as the only studio branded movie- driven channel with a truly global footprint and track record in both the HD and SD arenas,” stated Tuchman. “This latest launch in Spain further highlights the great success we have had with our MGM Networks business not only in the last few years, but over the last decade since we embarked on our aggressive global expansion strategy, with both our top and bottom lines continuing to grow strongly as we add millions and millions of subscribers each year.”
The MGM HD Channel debuted in Poland in December 2006. After this first launch, MGM HD was launched in the US in October 2007. In April 2008, the MGM HD channel arrived in Israel, followed the next year by in Brazil. Most recently, MGM HD launched in the UK in mid-December 2009 in partnership with Sky. This was followed four months later by the launch of a Spanish language version of MGM’s Latin American HD Channel in Argentina and Mexico.
