Telekom Austria Group Inks Deal for FilmBox Channels

VIENNA/NEW YORK: Telekom Austria Group has signed an agreement with SPI International/Filmbox International that allows the Vienna-based company to launch the FilmBox thematic channels in territories where it operates.

Nearly 250,000 customers in the region will have access to content from a number of FilmBox channels, which first launched in the Bulgarian market via Mobiltel, followed by Blizoo in Macedonia. In the first half of this year, Telekom Austria Group will introduce the channels in at least two of their other markets.

With its "direct2home" platform, Telekom Austria Group will also serve as a technical distribution and contribution provider for the FilmBox channels' Balkan and CEE feeds through the Eutelsat 16A satellite.

Stefan Amon, the director of wholesale for Telekom Austria Group, commented: "With Telekom Austria Group's 'direct2home' broadcast services we proudly bring FilmBox channels not only to pay-TV operators across the Group's footprint but also offer those channels to other DTH operators via Eutelsat 16A. This cooperation allows us to deliver premium content to both our footprint and to an extended CEE area."

"Telekom Austria Group and SPI are two companies eyeing continuous expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. It is a great opportunity to form a strategic alliance with this important player in the industry," added Berk Uziyel, the executive director of FilmBox International. "We are able to bring not only our thematic channels such us FightBox HD or DocuBox HD to the Balkan countries but we are also currently developing localized movie channels from the FilmBox brand."