Chello Zone to Represent The History Channel in Central Europe

LONDON,
February 4: The History Channel UK, a
joint venture of A&E Television Networks (AETN) and BSkyB, has tapped
Chello Zone, a business unit of Liberty Global-owned Chellomedia, to serve as
distribution representative for The History Channel to pay-TV platforms in the
Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Additionally, Chellomedia
is providing a range of broadcast services, including digitization and signal
distribution, content language versioning and scheduling through its facilities
at the Digital Media Centre in Amsterdam.

The History Channel is
expected to launch in Central Europe in the second quarter of 2008, following a
year in which the network expanded its reach in Europe with the rollouts of
both standard-definition and high-definition services in Scandinavia and the Benelux.

The History Channel UK
also operates The History Channel and The History Channel HD in Scandinavia,
the Benelux, Sub-Sahara Africa and Greece, as well as Crime & Investigation
Network in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Ian McDonough, the
commercial director of The History Channel UK, commented: “We have a clear
commitment to investment in the localization of our channels, and Chello Zone,
with its great expertise and regional experience is the perfect partner to
ensure this strategy is a success in Central Europe.”

Louise Cottrell, the VP of
affiliate sales at Chello Zone, added: “This is a significant agreement for
us—The History Channel is one of the most respected worldwide brands with
a strong and clear programming strategy. We are confident that their unique and
diverse range of high-quality programming will prove very popular with
audiences in the region.”

Now available in over 135
countries to more than 235 million TV households, The History Channel is the
only international television network devoted exclusively to historical
programming, featuring informative and entertaining series, specials and
documentaries. The network features award-winning programming that covers a
variety of topics, including ancient history, contemporary history, military history
and conflict, and technology and transport.

—By Irene Lew