BabyFirst Scores China IPTV Deal

LOS ANGELES, May 1: BabyFirst
has inked a deal to license its content for babies and toddlers to Shanghai
Media Group’s (SMG) BesTV IPTV platform.

BabyFirst has 24/7 carriage
deals with terrestrial and satellite operators throughout Europe and Latin
America, such as CanalSat in France, BSkyB and Bell ExpressVu satellite and
Rogers Cable in Canada. In the U.S., the BabyFirstTV channel is available on
DIRECTV and DISH Network, as well as via MSO’s Comcast and Charter. Deals have
also been inked in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea, and several additional Asian
carriage deals are slated to close shortly.

“SMG has created an
extraordinary service in BesTV and we are extremely pleased to join this
innovative IPTV platform,” said Glenn Kopelson, the executive VP of
distribution for BabyFirst. “As we continue to build our channel’s exposure
throughout Asia, we feel privileged to join alongside SMG to bring BabyFirst to
China via BesTV.”

—By Kristin Brzoznowski