CBS Studios Int’l, Chellomedia Form U.K. Partnership

LONDON: CBS Studios International and Chellomedia have formed a joint venture that will create CBS branded channels in the U.K.

The CBS branded channels will be formed from six of Chello Zone’s [Chellomedia’s international broadcast arm] existing portfolio of TV channels in the U.K.: Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, Zone Horror+1 and Zone Reality+1.

The themed channels, which will be re-branded later this year, will draw programming from CBS’s catalogue of more than 70,000 hours of programming, including Dynasty andthe original re-mastered series of Star Trek. The channels will continue to acquire programming from third-party suppliers.

The advertiser-supported Chello Zone channels collectively reach more than 13 million homes throughout the U.K. via the Sky, Virgin Media and FreeSat platforms. They will continue to be operated by Chello Zone with a new board being formed with representatives from CBS and Chello Zone, to guide strategy and direction for the new venture.

“The CBS brand is recognized around the world for quality, both as a production studio and as a network,” said Armando Nuñez, the president of CBS Studios International. “This venture opens a new distribution outlet for our vast library of content, and complements our strong ongoing licensing of programming in the U.K. and around the world. We look forward to working with our new partners at Chello Zone to utilize CBS’s great programming assets to maximize viewer interest and advertiser value for these channels.”

“This U.K. partnership marries our channel expertise with one of the world’s largest libraries of high quality and globally popular programming; we are delighted that CBS and Chello Zone are entering into this prestigious partnership on our U.K. entertainment television channels,” said Chellomedia president and Liberty Global chief strategy officerShane O’Neill. “The JV with CBS will significantly enhance our U.K. channel portfolio, create a clear proposition for advertisers, and above all create essential TV destinations where British viewers will enjoy a rich choice of popular programming from CBS.”