Outdoor Channel Expands Global Reach

TEMECULA: Outdoor Channel is to launch in Asia through an exclusive broadcast agreement with Multi Channels Asia (MCA), while a new deal with Chello Zone takes the channel across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Through MCA, Outdoor Channel will initially be available to over 1.5 million households in Korea, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. MCA has the exclusive access to distribute and market the network’s HD platform, Outdoor Channel HD, in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and India starting in October.

Chello Zone will access, on an exclusive basis, programming from Outdoor Channel’s library of HD content, and in a joint venture with Outdoor Channel’s international agent, Chello Zone will launch a customised feed across EMEA. The channel, currently airing in the Middle East on Orbit Showtime Networks, will become a fully scheduled HD satellite service following the deal with Chello Zone. Further carriage deals are in discussion for launch throughout EMEA in the coming months. The channel will also be available in standard definition.

"Outdoor enthusiasts rely on Outdoor Channel to provide the most unique content that resonates with their own adventures and experiences," said Randy Brown, the executive VP of affiliate sales and marketing at Outdoor Channel. "The partnership with MCA reflects our focus on elevating our leadership position globally to new regions and new platforms. MCA, with its specific territory expertise, infrastructure and relationships in overseas markets, allows viewers a chance to experience what makes the Outdoor Channel the world’s leading network for the outdoor genre…."

Gregg Creevey, managing director (Asia), and William Kelly, managing director (USA) at MCA, commented, "The Asia and Pacific regions are well-known for their passion for the outdoors. We have been partners with Outdoor Channel for almost two years and Outdoor Channel has already been previewed across the Asia Pacific region for seven months last year, as Outdoor Channel and MCA worked with distributors and MSO’s to confirm market interest and test programming formulas. The MCA team is excited to bring Outdoor Channel’s unduplicated adventure entertainment to these regions as viewers will be able to travel around the world with the network and enjoy the highest quality outdoor programming in HD from their homes."

“Outdoor Channel’s compelling and unique content resonates with outdoor enthusiasts around the world,” added Brown. “Our relationship with Chello Zone is another example of our goal to expand our leadership position strategically beyond the U.S. market by tapping well-established partners with specific territory expertise, infrastructure and relationships in overseas markets….”

Chello Zone’s CEO, Dermot Shortt, said: “We are delighted to have secured the exclusive rights to launch Outdoor Channel in HD throughout EMEA. Outdoor pursuits have become increasingly popular around the world and with its thrilling mix of content, we are confident it is a channel that will appeal to the whole family.”