Foxtel Arts Slates Mezzo Live HD Branded Block

CANNES: Lagardère Active and Lightning International have unveiled a new carriage deal that sees the music channel Mezzo Live HD launching as a daily four-hour branded block on Foxtel Arts.

Beginning November 2, Mezzo Live HD will be rebroadcast live on Foxtel Arts every weekday from noon to 4 p.m. The block will provide a selection of classical music, opera, ballet and jazz programming to subscribers of Foxtel Arts, Foxtel’s new in-house arts network that made its debut earlier this year.

Gérald-Brice Viret, the CEO of Lagardère Active TV, commented: “We are thrilled to bring Mezzo Live HD to another major pay-tv provider in Asia Pacific. We are confident that the great value of our premium music content will contribute to drive growth and viewership for Foxtel Arts and establish the channel as the top destination for arts lovers in Australia.”

Stephen Baldwin, Foxtel's head of channels and operations, remarked: “The addition of Mezzo Live HD will provide Foxtel Arts subscribers access to performances from European Concert Halls and Festival Stages thus strengthening the content offering on the channel.”

James Ross, the CEO of Lightning International, the Asia-Pac representative for Mezzo Live HD, added: “We have had a fantastic response to the rollout of Mezzo Live HD in the region from our partners and operators, and we welcome Foxtel as the latest affiliate—with more to come soon!”