The distribution of the linear TV channels Mezzo and Mezzo Live HD and their non-linear assets in Russia is from October 1 being handled by Thema Rus.
The latter, which is the Russian branch of the Canal+ subsidiary Thema, has since the beginning of this year also overseen the Mezzo services in Kazakhstan, Armenia and Georgia. Due to the agreement with Thema and as part of the transfer of the Mezzo mandate to Thema Rus, the Universal Distribution company will maintain the current contracts with platforms operating in Ukraine and Belarus until the end of this year.
According to Hervé Boissière, CEO of Mezzo, “Mezzo is available all over the world and is broadcasted in 90+ countries to over 65 million subscribers, and Russia has always been a key territory for us for two decades. Thanks to the amazing interest for classical music there and to very strong and creative partnerships we have with the best music institutions like The Bolshoï or The Mariinsky Theater, to name a few. In the region, Mezzo and Mezzo Live HD TV channels are part of all major Russian and CIS operators’ offers, including Tricolor, Rostelecom, MTS, NTV-PLUS, Akado, Beeline, ER-Telecom, Megafon, Alma TV, Kazakhtekecom, Volia TV, Cosmos TV, A1 and others.
“Our global partnership with Thema marks a new milestone in the development of Mezzo, as we strive more than ever to bring the beauty of music, opera, jazz and dance to the expanding audience around the world”.
Natalya Kabikova, MD of Thema Rus, added: “Our entire team welcomes the expansion of Thema Rus’ content portfolio with Mezzo and Mezzo Live HD with great enthusiasm. We will strive to strengthen and expand Mezzo’s presence in Russia and CIS countries including digital distribution”.
