Classica, the international pay-TV channel for classical music lovers, will expand into new countries through two major distribution deals the German broadcaster signed with Telekom Austria Group covering Central and Eastern Europe and with Australian pay-TV platform Foxtel.
The multi-territorial partnership with Telekom Austria started with the launch of Classica at the telco’s subsidiaries Mobiltel in Bulgaria and Blizzoo/Vip in Macedonia on March 1, 2015 and was followed by the rollout on its domestic Austrian IPTV platform A1 TV on March 28, 2015. The launch of Classica at Vipnet in Croatia is planned for the second half of 2015.
With its direct2home platform, Telekom Austria also acts as technical satellite distribution and contribution provider for Classica on the Eutelsat 16A satellite (16° East), making it available not only on its own pay-tv operations, but also via simulcrypt to other DTH providers on Eutelsat 16A as well as to cable and IPTV operators.
In Australia, Classica has arranged an exclusive brand and content cooperation with Foxtel, thereby expanding its footprint to the Australian continent. The new arts and culture channel Foxtel Arts HD which launched on March 28, 2015 screens classical music programmes from Unitel Classica, presented and branded by Classica.
Classica will continue its international expansion with launches in Mexico at Dish Móvil, marking its debut on the American continent where it will be offered as an OTT service for the first time, and in Indonesia where Dens TV will introduce Classica to the country.
Classica which provides a 24 hour service in HD quality with Dolby 5.1 surround sound currently reaches a global audience of more than 6.5 million subscribers across 41 pay-TV platforms in 30 territories. The channel is affiliated to Unitel Classica, one of the world’s leading producers and distributors of classical music for audiovisual media (TV, DVD, cinema, new media).
Both Classica and Unitel Classica are part of media group Unitel founded by Munich-based producer and distributor Jan Mojto. Classica is headed by Johannes Everding (pictured) who took on the CEO position on January 1, 2014. Everding previously worked for German pay-TV channels Spiegel Geschichte and Spiegel TV Wissen and Discovery Communications Deutschland.
