Liberty Global & A+E Networks Extend Pan-European Pact

LONDON: Liberty Global and A+E Networks have extended their distribution deal and are launching two new HD simulcast channels in the U.K.

The long-term pan-European carriage pact covers A+E Networks' U.K. channels on Liberty Global platforms in the U.K., Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Additionally, Lifetime and H2 will now both also be available in HD in the U.K. and Ireland. The agreement sees broader distribution for the HISTORY channel, which has been added to all basic packages in the Netherlands, Hungary and Romania. The extended deal also provides nonlinear rights, providing greater access to A+E Networks channels and content across all platforms and devices.

Dean Possenniskie, the managing director for EMEA at A+E Networks, commented: “As a key European partner, we are pleased that Liberty Global is committed to expanding the reach of our channel portfolio across Europe. This new deal reflects the quality of our channels and content and our ability to find mutual value in providing new ways for viewers to access our high-quality programming.”

Jeroen Bergman, the managing director for programming at Liberty Global, added: “As the leading cable-TV operator in Europe we’re able to help networks such as A+E distribute their channels across multiple markets through a single partnership. We’re pleased that we’ve been able to develop our relationship with A+E Networks to give millions of our customers even more great content and, just as importantly, to deliver it to them on their own terms—whether that’s through the main TV or on their tablet or smartphone.”