December Rollout Planned for CBS Chello Zone Channels in EMEA

LONDON: The newly rebranded channels from the partnership between CBS Studios International and Chello Zone for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are slated for a December 3 rollout.

The partnership extends the reach of the CBS channel portfolio to a further 83 territories acros EMEA. The two companies already have a successful U.K. venture that started in November 2009. 

CBS Reality, CBS Drama, CBS Action and CBS Europa will be reprogrammed to include hit series and movies from the CBSSI library. This includes 48 Hours and Judge Judy for CBS Reality. CBS Drama will boast Dynasty and Melrose Place in its launch schedule. Star Trek: The Original Series, The 4400 and Jericho are part of the schedule for CBS Action. CBS Europa will feature The Reader, Hurt Locker and Tristan and Isolde. 

The portfolio will also get new branding across EMEA. The new look will be introduced in the U.K. in 2013. 

Chris Sharp, Chello Zone’s chief programming officer, said: “It’s an exciting time for the channels and our partnership with CBS. The CBS expansion into the EMEA territories will offer a greater depth and variety of programming from a library we know well. We’re sure our audiences will enjoy and embrace the new programming and the new branding.”

Armando Nuñez, the president and CEO of the CBS Global Distribution Group, added: “It is exciting to grow and expand this venture and to offer audiences throughout EMEA the opportunity to watch popular and classic series from CBS. We’re looking forward to launching the new branded channels and developing programming strategies with our partners at Chello Zone to best reflect the individual channels and audience in their respective territories.”