SPI International’s decision to team up with the live online video streaming service Ustream to offer its subscription channels Fightbox HD, Docubox HD and Fashionbox HD in the US is the latest stage in a remarkable period of global expansion for the company that began as recently as 2011.
Speaking exclusively to Broadband TV News, Berk Uziyel, director of new media for SPI International and responsible for its CEE channel business, said that the two main business developments in its global expansion have been the launch of new entertainment channels and establishment of an online presence.
In the latter case, the company already has deals with LG, Samsung and Sony in place and will shortly also have one with PS3. It has a Filmbox Live app in the premium section of LG and Philips and plans on expanding its activities, adding new services and individual apps such as Dreambox Live.
Uziyel made the point that although Poland was SPI International’s ‘homeland’ market, it is now also active in the Czech Republic and Hungary and is becoming quite prominent in Romania – indeed diversifying throughout the region.
Significantly, all its services are now also available in Turkey and it is looking at Greece. It is, in addition, seeking partners in Russia.
Looking forward to the next two to three years, Uziyel said that SPI International’s pay-TV business would definitely continue to grow, with the company becoming “a very important player” in the marketplace.
Its online business would also continue to grow, especially in such markets as the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania, and that overall SPI International would continue in its transition from a company with its roots in the CEE region into a global player.
