SPI International’s FilmBox has been launched in the Netherlands and is initially being made available on M7 Group’s Canal Digitaal.
The launch marks the beginning of the channel’s expansion into Western Europe.
Commenting on the development, Berk Uziyel, CEO at SPI International, said: “FilmBox’s launch in the Netherlands is an exciting milestone for SPI International in terms of FilmBox’s expansion into the Western European market. FilmBox is included in operators’ basic packages and aims to target a different window and audience than our premium film service portfolio. FilmBox will have a different positioning in Western Europe compared to Central Eastern Europe and it will serve as a complementary gateway service to our premium Film1 portfolio.
“We are delighted to spearhead FilmBox’s expansion in the Netherlands with our long-standing partners at the M7 Group who share our passionate commitment to making top-quality content more affordable and easier to access”.
Christiaan Puper, country manager at Canal Digitaal, added: “We are extremely happy that we can offer FilmBox to our customers. There is an insatiable hunger for interesting content at the moment. Recently we have expanded our on demand offer with content from our parent company Canal+ and other valuable parties. The addition of FilmBox as a fixed channel is a great next step. With our distinctive services we think we are a rich addition to the established market”.
SPI International has been active in the Dutch pay-TV market with its thematic brands, and more recently with the premium movie services brand Film1, which operates four linear channels and on-demand services in the region. Canal Digitaal currently carries all four Film1 channels and Film1 VOD content, as well as other thematic brands from SPI’s portfolio including DocuBox and FightBox.
