CH Media and Sunrise UPC have entered into a long-term strategic partnership to drive the expansion of the Swiss streaming service oneplus from CH Media and to significantly enhance the portfolio and the customer offering of Sunrise UPC.
It will see oneplus become an integral component of the TV offer of Sunrise UPC and Sunrise UPC in turn acquire a 20% share in CH Media TV AG. The latter includes all domestic channel brands of CH Media (3+, 4+, 5+, 6+, 7+, TV24, TV25 and S1) and oneplus, as well as the corresponding content. Furthermore, on top of his roles as MD of entertainment and member of the executive management team of CH Media, Roger Elsener will serve as CEO of the new joint venture. In this new role, he will report to the company’s board of directors, which is yet to be appointed.
Commenting on the partnership, Axel Wüstmann, CEO of CH Media, said: “With its acquisition of the 3+ Group, CH Media has become the market leader among private Swiss TV channels. We are delighted about the partnership with Sunrise UPC and are certain that, together, we will be able to accelerate our growth with our new brand oneplus, especially in the streaming market”.
André Krause, CEO of Sunrise UPC, added: “Sunrise UPC is in an excellent position in the TV and entertainment market. The strategic partnership with CH Media will help us reach the next level. With oneplus, customers will benefit from a unique streaming offer. At the same time, with CH Media we are gaining a strong partner for the optimal distribution on free TV of high-quality ice hockey content produced by MySports. This will clearly set us apart from the competition in a hotly contested market”.
Roger Elsener said: “The collaboration with Sunrise UPC will push the growth of oneplus on the way to the big screen and help it become one of the biggest and most innovative TV platforms in Switzerland. This will enable us to produce even more appealing Swiss content and significantly expand oneplus. Furthermore, we’re looking forward to the National League playoffs and the joint development of new, innovative content and marketing strategies”.
