SPI International, the global media company and one of the leaders in content distribution, announces a new theatrical release in Hungary. SPI has secured the rights in CEE for the Diane Keaton-starring comedy “Arthur’s Whisky”, which premieres on November 28, 2024. The company continues its partnership with ADS Service Ltd. bringing new movie to theatres in Hungary after the Nicolas Cage-starring “Arcadian” release earlier this year. The new deal marks the expansion of the SPI's distribution arm in the territory.
“We are thrilled to bring Arthur’s Whisky movie to big screens in Hungary. We believe this funny comedy starring the beloved Diane Keaton will bring some joy and laugh to Hungarian viewers at the end of this year. Together with ADS Service Ltd., our local distribution partner, we showcase another great piece of entertainment definitely worth watching.” - said Alexandra Puiu, Sales Manager at SPI International.
“Arthur’s Whisky” movie starts with a stormy night scene in suburban England. Amateur inventor ARTHUR (Ossian Perret) has a moment of inspiration, but as he runs from his garden shed, he’s fatally struck by lightning. After the funeral, his widow JOAN (Patricia Hodge) and her two lifelong friends LINDA (Diane Keaton) and SUSAN (Lulu) decide to spring-clean Arthur’s shed. To their astonishment they discover what appears to be a collection of bottles of whisky. They retreat to the living room and indulge in a small glass or two each to honour the departed Arthur. The next morning, they wake to sore heads and an even bigger shock. All three now look like their younger selves again. Arthur had discovered an elixir capable of restoring youth. Distilled in secret, Arthur’s whisky turns back the clock for anyone who takes a sip, giving them a few hours to feel young again. As their wrinkles fade away, Joan and her friends hit the bars and nightclubs with a new joy of life. But will they find the key to true happiness before the elixir runs dry?
Produced by CK Films and Pippa Cross, “Arthur’s Whisky” features worldwide star Diane Keaton, known from such blockbusters as “Something’s Gotta Give”, “First Wives Club” and “Book Club”.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and is a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia, and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI International owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 800 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
About ADS Service Ltd.
ADS Service Ltd. is a Hungarian independent film distributor owned 100% by private investor and it has been on the market since 2006. We focus on acquiring and selling all rights for Hungary and selected Eastern European territories (Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech). Our company releases around 30 titles a year theatrically and our line-up contains arthouse movies (The Whale, Aftersun, The Boy and the Heron), big-budget European productions (Jeanne Du Barry, Serian Bad Weddings 3, Weekend in Taipei, The Count of Monte Cristo) and blockbusters from Hollywood (Hacksaw Ridge, Green Book) as well. We also specialise in releasing family oriented content (The School of Magical Animals 1-2, King, Pil's Adventure).
We worked together with well-known European and American companies including Lakeshore, Studio Canal, Hanway, Wild Bunch, IM Global, Global Screen, Pathé, Lionsgate and Fox Searchlight Pictures. ADS’s VOD catalogue contains more then 1000 titles. We also specialize in releasing Hungarian productions on Video On Demand formats, such as 1945, A Viszkis, BUÉK). We are direct suppliers to all major - and local VOD content providers (Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Telekom, Vodafone) and TV stations (AMC, MTVA, RTL, TV2, VIACOM) in our territories.
Grupa Kino Polska, one of Poland's leading media groups and a part of SPI International – a global media company owned by the CANAL+ Group, is expanding FilmBox+ reach in Poland. The streaming service is joining the offer of more operators - Play and INEA. With FilmBox+ it is possible to watch series, movies and live channels, among others, from anywhere and on multiple devices. FilmBox+ is part of the FilmBox package, which is available to subscribers of both operators in selected packages.
Play and INEA are, after the Vectra network, the next operators in Poland to introduce the FilmBox+ streaming service, which includes movies, series, local productions and TV channels available for live streaming. The service complements the rich entertainment offer provided by FilmBox channels, which are widely available from operators in the market. That is a total of 5 movie channels: FilmBox Premium HD, FilmBox Extra HD, FilmBox Family, FilmBox Action and FilmBox Arthouse, which together with the FilmBox+ service form the FilmBox package. The wide and varied offer of the FilmBox package is the answer to every viewer's mood, so everyone can find something interesting to watch here.
Play and INEA customers can now fully enjoy the FilmBox package and watch select content not only on 5 thematic TV channels, but also on the streaming service. The FilmBox+ allows viewers to watch on 3 devices simultaneously, anytime and anywhere, including away from home. The service recently got a new look and functionality, making it even more user-friendly and intuitive. New amenities await users, making it easier to browse content or plan the selection of favourite programs. Now Play and INEA subscribers will have the opportunity to check for themselves the advantages of the new version of the service.
- “The addition of FilmBox+ to the offerings of more leading operators in the market shows the consistency with which we are developing the product. We recently unveiled a new version of FilmBox+, and now we are increasing its reach and availability. We are confident that the activities we carry out will be reflected in even greater interest and appreciation among customers. FilmBox+ complements our existing linear offerings available from operators. We are a partner providing a comprehensive service that gives subscribers convenient access to attractive content wherever and whenever they want it." - comments Jacek Koskowski, Director of Sales and Distribution in Grupa Kino Polska.
Subscribers of the Play and INEA networks can access the FilmBox+ service via www.filmboxplus.com, mobile apps (Android, iOS) or Smart TV. In the Play network, the FilmBox+ application will also be pre-installed on PLAY BOX TV set-top boxes.
- “We are very pleased with the established cooperation, thanks to which INEA customers will be able to enjoy the wide range of movies, series and entertainment content available on FilmBox+.Expanding our content portfolio is one of the goals in the strategy we are pursuing." - adds Maciej Piechociński, CEO of INEA Sp. z o.o.
The launch of the FilmBox+ service in Play and INEA’s offerings took place during an ongoing advertising campaign for the FilmBox package that started in early November. The campaign includes nationwide radio, TV, online, and DOOH (digital out-of-home) advertising, and it will continue until the end of the month.
Additional information:
Play Group, part of the French iliad Group, one of the largest telecommunication groups in Europe, is a leading provider of mobile services, fixed internet and digital television in Poland. It serves over 13 million mobile customers and over 2 million users of home services. The operator also provides solutions for business. Play is constantly developing the most modern mobile network in Poland, covering almost 100% of the Polish population, as well as the fixed network, which will ultimately reach over 7 million households, providing customers in Poland with access to the highest quality services and digital solutions.
INEA is a nationwide provider of fiber-optic services such as Internet, television, mobile and fixed-line telephony. It reaches 3.5 million households.
Grupa Kino Polska, part of SPI International, a company owned by CANAL+ Group, is one of the leading media groups in Poland, successfully operating also on international markets. The group distributes and produces content for television, VOD platforms, streaming services and cinemas, as well as selling program licenses. It is also a broadcaster of thematic TV channels, distributed on digital terrestrial television, cable networks and satellite platforms. The Group's portfolio includes such TV channels as Stopklatka, Zoom TV, Kino Polska, Kino Polska Muzyka, Kino TV, Gametoon and FilmBox brand channels.
SPI International (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating TV channels and multiple digital products across six continents. It is a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia, and Adria regions, including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names, such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, and Dizi, along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 800 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology, providing its subscribers with access to SPI's linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI's solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content with strong recognition and high demand.
The FilmBox+ streaming service unveiled today its enhanced version. It features both a refreshed look and new functionalities. The upgraded FilmBox+ offers an even more user-friendly and intuitive experience. The new features facilitate, among other things, browsing of content and planning the selection of favorite shows.
FilmBox+ is a streaming service with a continually expanding library of popular series, films, documentaries and other thematic content, as well as live streaming and smart channels from SPI International. It allows viewers to access world-class content anywhere, anytime. Even when away from home users can still enjoy watching TV channels broadcast live and their favorite shows. Starting today, on 25 September, the service has a new look and allow users in Poland, Hungary and Romania to take advantage of additional features.
The new FilmBox+ interface has been redesigned to improve usability. This means that both its appearance and features are now optimized for a simpler, more intuitive and enjoyable user experience. The library of the new version of the service has been thematically divided to make it easier to select content to watch. This new approach allows to make the best of FilmBox+ library for the benefit of the user. In addition, users can set up alerts for the broadcast time of their favorite films or series aired on the live channels. The functionality for parental control has also been expanded allowing to create a dedicated account for a child. A total of five user profiles can be created in the FilmBox+ service, while three people can use the service simultaneously under one account.
"We continually evolve and adapt our digital offerings to meet users' needs. At the same time, we observe market trends and introduce new solutions. The refreshed FilmBox+ service, with its extensive content library, gives users easy access to great entertainment at a very attractive price. We are certain that FilmBox+ will now be even more enjoyable and will encourage new users to check out our offer" - says Patrycja Gałązka-Struzik, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer at SPI International.
FilmBox+ is offered to users in Poland, Hungary and Romania exclusively as a part of cable and satellite operators' packages. FilmBox+ can be accessed by a mobile app (iOS, Android) and Smart TV. It is now available under a new address www.filmboxplus.com.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and is a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia, and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI International owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 800 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com.
SPI International, a CANAL+ company specializing in operating multiple channels and digital products worldwide, has successfully expanded its Dizi channel and Dizi on-demand content to the markets of Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Following the successful debut in Sweden earlier this year, SPI International continues to strengthen its presence in the Nordic region, bringing the best Turkish dramas to an even wider audience.
As of September 1, 2024, the Dizi channel and sVOD is now available to viewers in Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Allente subscribers can enjoy a diverse selection of Turkish productions both on traditional television and on-demand. The Dizi channel and Dizi on-demand is offered as an optional package for satellite and fiber TV customers, and as a selectable streaming service for Allente Stream users with the Flex package.
“We are continuing our successful collaboration with Allente, the leading entertainment provider in the region, following the introduction of the Dizi channel in Sweden earlier this year. Our partnership underscores Allente’s innovative approach to content, including engaging dramas. We are thrilled to bring this captivating genre to additional Nordic markets, offering viewers access to some of the best TV productions" commented Georgina Twiss, Managing Director of SPI International for Western Europe and Africa.
The Dizi channel has gained immense popularity worldwide thanks to its diverse lineup of Turkish series that have captivated audiences with their compelling storytelling, exceptional production quality, and talented casts. Through the partnership with Allente, viewers in Denmark, Norway, and Finland now have unlimited access to the best Turkish dramas on their screens.
About ALLENTE
Allente is a Nordic TV distributor that offers high-quality TV and streaming solutions via both satellite and broadband to one million customers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The company was founded in May 2020 following a merger of Canal Digital and Viasat Consumer. Allente has head offices in Stockholm and Oslo, the managing director is Jonas Gustafsson. The company is owned 50/50 by Telenor Group and Viaplay Group.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and is a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia, and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI International owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 800 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
