Belgian sports and events channel Exqi has laid off most of its full-time employees, according to local news reports, which suggest the owners might be looking to sell the operation.
In Brief: N24, Eurosport 2, Ketnet
German all-new channel N24 is launching an Austrian version, with tests just having started on the Astra position at 19.2 degrees East.
In Brief: Toya, UPC Polska, Czech TV
The Polish cable operator Toya has included iplex, tvn player, Toya VOD, TV Toya on demand and MOOD in its on demand offer. The services can be received on 3G HD and 3G HD PVRs, as well as over the internet.
In Brief: Kinowelt, Tagesschau, Paris Premiere
The German movie channel Kinowelt is to launch its HD simulcast on May 29 with Liberty Global’s Unitymedia being the first distribution partner.
In Brief: Supertennis; RTL
From May 1 the Italian channel Supertennis will broadcast in HD only on the Eutelsat Hotbird satellite as Supertennis HD. The channel is also available online and on DTT in Italy.
In Brief: RTL HD, Netflix, Al Jazeera
Liberty Global’s German cable op Unitymedia said it has reached agreement with the RTL group to carry the HD versions of RTL HD, VOX HD, RTL II HD and Super RTL HD on its network.
In Brief: France 24, Eredivisie Live, Bbox
France 24 has concluded a new distribution agreement in Asia to launch on HyppTV, Telekom Malaysia IPTV offer. The French news channel is now available à-la-carte for 20 Ringgits per month (€6.50).
In Brief: Glitz, Bundesliga, Swisscom TV, Cablecom
Turner Broadcasting’s female skewed channel Glitz is also launching on Liberty Global’s German nets Kabel BW and Unitymedia. In May, Deutsche Telekom’s IPTV service Entertain will also add the channel to its line-up.
In Brief: TeleColumbus, Dolby, Fun, Kabel BW
German cable operator TeleColumbus will add the ten new HD channels from the public broadcasters ARD and ZDF to its line-up when they start broadcasting on May 1.
In Brief: TF1, Fashion One, Ketnet
French broadcaster TF1 will handle advertising sales for the two Al Jazeera sports channels in France, Be in Sport 1 and 2, due to launch in June.