Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks has finalised its acquisition of Dutch premium movie service Film1 following regulatory approval from the European Commission.
SPT now fully owns and operates the five premium pay TV channels under the Film1 umbrella along with its Film1 Go service, and the business reports to Kate Marsh, SPT’s EVP, Networks, Western Europe.
“The acquisition of Film1 marks a key move into the Dutch market and underlines our continued commitment to grow our highly successful and diverse suite of channels across Europe,” said Kate Marsh said.
“Film1 complements and expands our successful Networks portfolio and we are looking forward to working with all our partners to continue to build on the success of the Film1 proposition.”
All five Film1 channels continue to be carried on the Ziggo cable TV platform, including the former UPC platform, as well as KPN, M7 and other current distribution partners in the Netherlands.
The five Film1 channels include Film1 Premiere, Film1 Action, Film1 Comedy & Kids, Film1 Spotlight and Film1 Sundance, and feature world class premium movies from Dreamworks, Fox, Paramount, MGM and Warner Bros. and are also home to the market’s leading independent film offer. The Film1 Go service is available to all Film1 channel subscribers on PCs, tablets and smartphones.
The acquisition further expands Sony Pictures Television Networks’ Western Europe footprint which also includes Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK and Ireland. Last year, SPT acquired CSC Media, making SPT the No. 5 cable/satellite/multichannel player in the UK market in commercial ad views.
