SPI International strikes Filmbox deal with Telekom Austria

Channels provider SPI International has struck a strategic agreement with Telekom Austria allowing the telco to launch FilmBox thematic channels in the territories where it is active.

Telekom Austria will also provide technical distribution and contribution for the FilmBox channels’ Balkan and CEE feeds, over the Eutelsat 16A satellite.

“With the FilmBox channels we introduce into our core territories high-quality content, already proven in other CEE territories. We are excited that with TAG’s “direct2home” technical broadcast services we bring the FilmBox channels not only to the pay-tv operations of TAG but we can also make them available via simulcrypting to other DTH operators on Eutelsat 16A, and the numerous cable and IPTV players via our contribution services,” said Reinhard Zuba, Telekom Austria Group’s chief marketing officer.

“Austria Telekom and SPI are two companies eying continuous expansion in central and eastern Europe. It is a great opportunity to form a strategic alliance with this important player in the industry. We are able to bring not only our thematic channels such us FightBox HD or DocuBox HD to the Balkan countries but we are also currently developing localized movie channels from the FilmBox brand. The first step of this cooperation will start with MTEL platform in Bulgaria,” said Berk Uziyel, executive director of FilmBox International Ltd.

As previously announced, SPI International has now rebranded its Filmbox Extra channel as Filmbox Premiuim in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The name change comes as a result of an internal brand review, which indicated that the broadcaster should distinguish its flagship premium channel from other FilmBox brand channels offered in basic, extended basic and premium tiers in the central and eastern Europe region. Following the rebranding in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the new name will also be applied to the remaining FilmBox Extra channels in other countries at a later date. According to SPI International, the FilmBox Premium channel will be carried by most of the DTH platforms and large cable networks in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.