Chello Central Europe Buys BBC Content

BUDAPEST: Chellomedia’s Chello Central Europe has picked up more than 150 hours of programming from BBC Worldwide for its movie channels Film Mania and Film Café.

Titles involved in the deal include the successful BBC series Death in Paradise, The Deep and book adaptations such as Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. The agreement also includes musical programming such as Beyoncé Live at Roseland, Britney Spears’ Femme Fatale and Progress Live, Take That’s concert film.

The new content will begin airing next month on Film Mania and Film Café in Hungary, as well as on the Romantica channel in Romania.

Levente Málnay, the CEO of Chello Central Europe, remarked: "This agreement with one of the most prestigious content distributors is part of a serious long-term programming investment. It is a great pleasure to expand the already existing BBC Worldwide content on our children’s and entertainment channels with exclusive additions to our film portfolio. This new content package will strengthen the market position of our two film channels, and enrich our film library with top quality programs."

Heike Renner, the territory manager for Central and Eastern Europe at BBC Worldwide, added: "We are pleased to build on our existing collaboration with Chello Central Europe to offer their viewers yet more of our world-class programming."