Central European Expansion for HISTORY & HISTORY HD

NEW YORK/LONDON: Czech-language versions of HISTORY and HISTORY HD have launched on Skylink in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, expanding on current Central European services in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Montenegro.

HISTORY currently operates in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on Self Servis and Smart Comp, while HISTORY HD is offered through Smart Comp, Mattes and BKS Capital Partners. HISTORY features programming that covers topics such as ancient history, contemporary history, military history and conflict, and technology and transport. Original series that air on HISTORY in the Czech Republic and Slovakia include Ice Road Truckers, The Universe, Cities of the Underworld and Battles BC; specials include Einstein and Nostradamus 2012. HISTORY HD offers a separate schedule from the standard-definition service. Programs include Warriors, Ax Men, Life After People and World War II.

“Demand for quality factual programming is particularly strong in Central Europe, and we are very pleased to extend our presence in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and to offer localized services for HISTORY and HISTORY HD,” said Tom Davidson, the managing director for The History Channel U.K. “Both countries have a rich history and viewers there have a keen interest in the genre.”

“Skylink’s customers are interested in quality factual entertainment, and we are very pleased to add prestigious channels like HISTORY and HISTORY HD to our platform,” added Jaromir Glisnik, the managing director of TradeTec. “Localization is critical for our viewers, and for a new channel to succeed, it is necessary to deliver not only excellent programming, but also the best possible picture quality and a localized audio track. HISTORY and HISTORY HD offer all these elements at the highest possible level.”