OUTtv signs up with Hispasat for CEE distribution

Hispasat’s control centre

Gay lifestyle channel OUTtv has signed up with Spanish satellite operator Hispasat to further its distribution to central and eastern Europe.

OUTtv, which is currently available on the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden, has signed up for Hispasat’s ‘antenna seeding’ programme, whereby the satellite operator has sought to establish alliances with cable and telecom networks to enable them to receive the channels on its shared platform at 30° degrees West.

As a result of its deal with Hispasat, according to the satellite operator, OUTtv has secured carriage agreements with operators in Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria and Poland, bringing a mix of content including Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Shameless, Misfits, Orphan Black and Alan Carr: Chatty Man to viewers.

Israel-based teleport operator RRMedia is providing DVB-S2-based transmission services for OUTtv.

“We noticed that these emerging markets showed interest in our lifestyle concept, because it differentiates their content-portfolio to attract new targeted customers,” said OUTtv founder and CEO Marc Putman.

“We are very pleased with this agreement, which reinforces our strategy and showcases our 30° West-located satellites as a great solution for efficient, high-quality video distribution in Europe,” said Ignacio Sanchis, Hispasat’s chief commercial officer.

Separately, Hispasat has extended its agreement with Intelsat to co-locate the latter’s Galaxy 11 satellite and Hispasat’s Amazonas 1 at the 55.5° West position until the end of 2015. The pair have collaborated at the position to enhance their position in the Latin American market, with the two satellites being co-located since June this year. Hispasat’s customers include Brazilian multi-play operator GVT, currently owned by Vivendi but in the process of being sold to Telefónica.

Over the longer term, Hispasat has procured capacity on the Galaxy 11 follow-on satellite, Intelsat 34, which is expected to launch during the second half of 2015.