MIPTV 2013 – Cannes. A+E Networks has confirmed it will launch female-skewed channel Lifetime in the UK with other territories planned next year.
Talking to Broadband TV News, Dean Possenniskie, managing director, EMEA, said the broadcaster would now start to commission local productions.
Both Lifetime and H2, just launching in the UK, will also be rolled out in other countries in 2014.
Possenniskie would not reveal exact details of the launch of the various channels in France. Following an exclusive agreement with the Canal+ Group, a number of thematic channels will start in France.
The names of the brands to be used in France will be announced at a later date. Programming on the new thematic channels will consist of versioned imported programmes as well as local productions in cooperation with Canal+.
The broadcaster will also strength its presence in Eastern and Central Europe with the establishment of a local office in Warsaw, Poland. Initially, A+E will start commissioning locally produced programming in Poland with other CEE countries to follow suit.