SCI FI to Launch in the Balkans

The channel launch in Serbia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro, and will also be available for distribution across the Balkan countries such as Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia. SCI FI launches with the premiere of the epic fantasy series Legend of the Seeker, from acclaimed director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, The Evil Dead), the U.S. premiere of which attracted a record 4.1 million viewers. Also premiering is Eureka, one of the highest rated launch series in the history of SCI FI U.S. (now SyFy), non-scripted SCI FI original series Destination Truth hosted by paranormal researcher Josh Gates and the U.S. smash hit Flash Gordon, a contemporary look at the intergalactic adventures of the famed comic strip character.

Dragan Solak, the chairman of SBB, commented: “SBB’s objective to build a pre-eminent pay-TV business in the territories of former Yugoslavia is supported by the launch of SCI FI on our cable and DTH platforms. In this challenging market, we choose only the best content providers such as NBC Universal Global Networks to help us meet our objective.”

Francois Roux, the managing director for EMEA at NBCU Global Networks, said: “We are following an aggressive international launch plan and Central and Eastern Europe is at the heart of our SCI FI growth strategy. The Balkans is a fiercely competitive market and we are delighted that SCI FI has been chosen to help build SBB’s business here.”

Colin McLeod, the managing director for Central and Eastern Europe at NBCU Global Networks, added: “The SCI FI expansion is further strengthened by the addition of eight countries to the SCI FI international network. The depth in programming is demonstrated by the premiere of Legend of the Seeker on SCI FI internationally and the series will also air exclusively on SCI FI in the Balkans. Further exclusive SCI FI content will follow.”