MTG Strengthens Danish Presence

STOCKHOLM: Modern Times Group (MTG) has signed two separate deals that boost its offerings in Denmark, including one for the free-TV channels TV3 and TV3 Puls.

MTG entered into a new channel distribution pact with Boxer TV-Access, increasing the penetration of the TV3 and TV3 Puls Danish free-TV services. Boxer will make TV3 available on its platform in Denmark as of January 1, followed by TV3 Puls joining on July 1. The deal brings TV3’s penetration up from 67 percent to around 76 percent. The penetration for TV3 Puls will increase from 46 percent to approximately 54 percent.

A separate deal was signed with Canal Digital Denmark to add C More Entertainment’s Canal 8 and Canal 9 pay-TV channels to MTG’s Viasat satellite pay-TV platform. Both channels will be added to the Viasat satellite pay-TV package in Denmark as of January 1. The services will also be included in Viasat’s offering on the Waoo! IPTV network starting on the same date.

Jørgen Madsen Lindemann, the president and CEO of MTG, commented: “This agreement with Boxer will substantially boost the household penetration of our Danish media house of free-TV channels. This will result in higher viewing and advertising market shares, as well as additional carriage fees for our free-TV business. This is a major change for us and follows similar developments in the past in both Sweden and Norway. Not only does it significantly enhance our competitive position but also ensures that even more viewers will get access to our free-TV entertainment channels.”

Lindemann continued, “At the same time, the inclusion of the additional third-party channels in our Viasat satellite and IPTV offerings also further strengthens our premium pay-TV offering and consolidates our position as the number one provider of premium sports, TV series and movie content in Denmark.”