Telekom Austria has entered into a strategic agreement with SPI International that allows the Vienna-based company to launch FilmBox thematic channels in the markets it is present in.
With its direct2home platform, Telekom Austria also acts as a technical distribution and contribution provider for the FilmBox channels’ Balkan and CEE feeds, via Eutelsat 16A.
Commenting on the development, Reinhard Zuba, the telco’s chief marketing officer, said: “With the FilmBox channels we introduce into our core territories high-quality content, already proven in other CEE territories. We are excited that with Telekom Austria Group’s “direct2home” technical broadcast services we bring the FilmBox channels not only to the pay-TV operations of Telekom Austria Group but we can also make them available via simulcrypting to other DTH operators on Eutelsat 16A, and the numerous cable and IPTV players via our contribution services.”
Berk Uziyel, executive director of FilmBox International, added: “Telekom Austria and SPI are two companies eying continuous expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. It is a great opportunity to form a strategic alliance with this important player in the industry”.
“We are able to bring not only our thematic channels such us FightBox HD or DocuBox HD to the Balkan countries but we are also currently developing localized movie channels from the FilmBox brand. The first step of this cooperation will start with MTEL platform in Bulgaria”.
Separately, SPI International has announced that the name change of its FilmBox Extra channel to FilmBox Premium in the Czech Republic and Slovakia will take place on December 1.
As previously reported in Broadband TV News, the move is also planned for Hungary, Poland and Romania.
