Sundance Channel Debuts in France on Free

NEW YORK: Rainbow Media Holdings has firmed up the third international carriage deal for Sundance Channel with a launch on Free in France.

Sundance Channel debuts in France today, on the eve of Free’s tenth anniversary. The 24-hour channel will be offered in both standard and high definition as part of Free’s premium move package, and further plans include an SVOD offering. The channel will feature French subtitles.

“On the eve of our tenth anniversary, we are ecstatic that Free will be first to broadcast Sundance Channel in France—a real opportunity for all of us and a fitting match,” said Maxime Lombardini, Free’s general manager. “Like Robert Redford gave new creative breath to independent cinema, we believe Free shares that pioneering spirit, having launched several innovative Internet and TV products over the past ten years.”

“We are very pleased with the early international response to Sundance as a global channel offering,” commented Ed Carroll, the COO of Rainbow Entertainment Services. “Every new carriage deal brings us closer to fulfilling the vision Robert Redford and Rainbow Media share for Sundance Channel, and we are happy to count another true innovator among our affiliates. We look forward to helping Free usher in its tenth anniversary with the launch of one of our most respected brands.”