The History Channel Launches in Central Europe

NEW YORK/LONDON, April 10:
The History Channel makes its debut in Central Europe, with both
standard-definition and HD services of the network rolling out in Poland and
Hungary.

In Poland, the standard-definition service of The History Channel is
available from Toya and UPC Polska, while Aster City is offering the network’s
standard-definition and HD services. In Hungary, the standard-definition
service of the channel is available at UPC Hungary, while T-Kabel is offering
both the standard-definition and high-definition services of The History
Channel. The History Channel HD
broadcasts 100-percent HD content, and offers a separate schedule from its
standard-definition counterpart. The History Channel is versioned in Polish and
Hungarian languages.

Chello Zone, a business
unit of Chellomedia, serves as the distribution representative for The History
Channel to pay-TV platforms in Poland and Hungary, as well as the Czech
Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. Further launches in the region will
be announced in the upcoming months.

The History Channel
features programming that covers a variety of topics, including ancient
history, contemporary history, military history and conflict, along with
technology and transport. Among the original series slated to air on The
History Channel in Central Europe are Ice Road Truckers, The Universe, Cities of the Underworld
and Battle 360. Specials
broadcasting on the channel include Lost Pyramid, Clash of the Cavemen and Warrior Empire: The Mughals.

“We are delighted to
announce the debut of The History Channel in both its SD and HD formats in
Central Europe,” said Ian McDonough, the commercial director of The History
Channel UK. “Our partners in Poland and Hungary are amongst the best operators
in the region and we are confident that the channels will be valuable assets to
their portfolios.”

“We are very pleased to
expand the European footprint of The History Channel with this launch into
Poland and Hungary and are especially pleased to offer an HD service to
viewers,” said Sean Cohan, the senior VP of international at A&E Television
Networks. “AETN has a strong commitment to HD content production and deployment
globally and we expect to launch additional HD services in the near future.”

—By Irene Lew