Mediaset strikes deal to launch international channel on DirecTV

Mediaset has struck a deal with US telecom and pay TV operator AT&T to include its international channel, Mediaset Italia, in DirecTV’s satellite offering.

The channel, which is targeted at the Italian diaspora, includes the best of Mediaset programming in a single offering. The deal with AT&T is part of a move to target the potential market of 17 italina Americans in the US, providing a mix of live sports, Tg5 news, movies, fiction including Squadra Mobile: operazione mafia capitale

and entertainment shows such as Striscia la notizia, Caduta libera and C’è posta per te.

Emma Brackett, AT&T’s vice-president of content and programming, said that there was a “strong desire” among subscribers to see “quality Italian programmes”.

Giorgio Giovetti, international sales directors at Mediaset Italia, said that the channel was the first Italian service to gain carriage with DirecTV, and that the launch was a great opportunity to reach the Italian community in the US.