SPI International announces that their new and enhanced FilmBox+ streaming service is officially live starting today. The service that combines on-demand and lean-back experiences, is available through the web, partner operators’ platforms, mobile and TV applications.
Today marks the global rollout of FilmBox+, SPI International’s new and enhanced streaming service that promises to bring digital and linear together through a vast library of VOD content and live channels. FilmBox+ is an evolution of SPI’s FilmBox Live and operates on a new infrastructure that provides enhanced user experience through an easy-to-use interface, multiple screen availability and a specially curated lineup of content spanning movies, TV series, documentaries and more. Starting today, consumers can access the service at filmbox.com directly or through the FilmBox+ app on their internet-connected devices such as smart phones, tablets, smart TVs and partner operators’ platforms.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand-new product FilmBox+ which will replace FilmBox Live from today on. FilmBox+ integrates easily with operators and partner platforms to provide a seamless and well-rounded entertainment experience that places the consumer at the center,” commented Berk Uziyel, CEO at SPI International.
FilmBox+ adopts the motto of “Home of Good Movies” and brings a well-curated selection of on-demand content from major global distributors, including Hollywood blockbusters with world-famous stars, independent world cinema gems, and thematic entertainment. The service also offers live channels that broadcast content 24/7 without interruptions for viewers who enjoy the “lean-back” experience. An additional feature of FilmBox+ that’s designed with a focus on the consumer is the Smart Collection Channels – channels that feature content curated by FilmBox editors according to mood, genre or special occasion – which will be added to the service later in the year.
FilmBox+ offers a centralized content solution that caters to different viewing habits by combining the “lean back” viewing experience with the ease and flexibility of the on-demand option. Viewers can access thousands of popular and evergreen VOD titles and 8+ live channels with FilmBox+ anytime and anywhere through their internet-connected devices.
About SPI International
SPI International/FilmBox is a global media company operating a diverse portfolio of 42 linear channels and digital services on six continents. FilmBox being its flagship movie service, SPI is one of the biggest aggregators of native Ultra HD content in the world. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses state of the art technology providing its 90 million subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content including live streaming of UHD programming and FilmBox service on any internet-connected device via major global streaming players as well as local OTT providers. SPI recently added to its portfolio Film1 premium movie services in The Netherlands, including four linear offers and an on-demand service.
For over 25 years, SPI International has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international market. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand.
SPI/FilmBox and eir have concluded a distribution agreement for FilmBox Arthouse, Gametoon, Fast&FunBox, DocuBox and FashionBox.
SPI/FilmBox continues to expand its footprint in Western Europe through new distribution deals with major players in the industry. The company has recently inked a distribution deal with eir, one of the leading telecommunications companies in Ireland for FilmBox Arthouse, Gametoon, Fast&FunBox, DocuBox and FashionBox – all of which will be offered in the eir TV Extra extended basic package.
“We are delighted to be partnering with eir, as they continue to build their business in Ireland and strengthen their content proposition,” said Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe & Africa at SPI International. “With hundreds of hours of content spanning all genres, we are excited to be adding even more value to the eir TV Extra pack for eir customers to enjoy,” added Twiss.
The deal will grant access to the following: FilmBox Arthouse, which brings world cinema classics from iconic directors such as Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Fellini and many others to cinema lovers; the revolutionary Gametoon HD which is dedicated to gaming content created by true gaming and esports enthusiasts; Fast&FunBox HD offers action-packed programming dedicated to adrenaline sports; DocuBox HD delivers a collection of award-winning documentaries about different cultures and the wonders of our world and FashionBox provides highly entertaining content on fashion trends and all things style.
About SPI International
SPI International/FilmBox is a global media company operating a diverse portfolio of 42 linear channels and digital services on six continents. FilmBox being its flagship movie service, SPI is one of the biggest aggregators of native Ultra HD content in the world. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses state of the art technology providing its 90 million subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content including live streaming of UHD programming and FilmBox service on any internet-connected device via major global streaming players as well as local OTT providers. SPI recently added to its portfolio Film1 premium movie services in The Netherlands, including four linear offers and an on-demand service.
For over 25 years, SPI International has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international market. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand.
About eir
eir is the largest provider of fixed line telecommunications services in Ireland, offering broadband, voice, TV, and data services to residential, small business, enterprise and government segments. eir is the third largest mobile operator in Ireland in terms of revenue and customers. The company operates the eir mobile and GoMo services. eir’s wholesaledivision, open eir, is the largest wholesale telecommunications operator in Ireland, providing products and services to national and international wholesale customers across a range of regulated and unregulated markets.
SPI International is pleased to announce the digital-first release of their first title in the UK. Thanks to the partnership with Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, “Looks That Kill”, directed by Kellen Moore is now available on EST and TVOD on all platforms in the United Kingdom and Ireland. SPI had secured the rights in multiple territories including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Benelux, EE, CIS at AFM 2020.
“We are delighted to be working with Kaleidoscope, a company renowned for their stellar track-record in distributing independent films with extensive experience in the UK market, to represent our titles on all rights basis in the territory,” commented Alexandra Puiu, Sales Executive at SPI International. “We are working with Kaleidoscope on additional releases for this year in the UK in the upcoming months and we are committed to enriching our portfolio of titles in 2021 for countries such as CEE, UK, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Benelux, Latin America and more,” added Puiu.
Written and directed by Kellen Moore, “Looks That Kill” is a romantic comedy which tells the story of sixteen-year-old Max Richardson (Brandon Flynn) who has to live with a lethally attractive face until he meets Alex (Julia Goldani Telles), an eccentric girl with her own bizarre ailment who helps him on his journey of self-discovery.
Spencer Pollard, CEO of Kaleidoscope commented, “We are delighted to be working with SPI on Looks That Kill in the UK along with a slate of exciting other films for the rest of the year. SPI are a hugely established business with a solid track record of acquiring commercially viable films that we’ve already received excellent market feedback on. Strategic partnerships in today’s marketplace are significant as we all look how to expand and diversify in these challenging times.”
About SPI International
SPI International/FilmBox is a global media company operating a diverse portfolio of 42 television channels and digital services on six continents. FilmBox being its flagship movie service, SPI is one of the biggest aggregators of native Ultra HD content in the world. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses state of the art technology providing its 90 million subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content including live streaming of UHD programming and FilmBox service on any internet-connected device via major global streaming players as well as local OTT providers. SPI recently added to its portfolio Film1 premium movie services in The Netherlands, including four linear offers and an on-demand service.
For over 25 years, SPI International has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international market. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand.
About Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment
Launched in 2008, Kaleidoscope is a global independent all-rights entertainment distributor, with theatrical, digital, physical and international distribution operations. The catalogue now contains more than 1,750 features.
New titles include powerful documentary Escape From Extinction, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren; That Click, a celeb-filled tribute to legendary Hollywood photographer Douglas Kirkland; and telling the incredible life-story of a revolutionary fashion icon, feature documentary Quant. Further catalogue highlights include Joss Whedon’s Much Ado About Nothing; Sundance Grand Jury Prize Winner, The Wolfpack; animated superhero adventure StarDog and TurboCat, voiced by Luke Evans, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy and Gemma Arterton; and from the animators of Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets, action-packed family spy-adventure, Spycies.
Acquisitions of Platform Entertainment and Icon Film Distribution have added further lines of note, including, adding to the catalogue titles such as rip-roaring TV series’ Spartacus and Black Sails, Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto, We Were Soldiers and What Women Want, the Ryan Gosling starred Drive and Nice Guys, alongside Russell Crowe, Ryan Reynolds in Buried, the acclaimed WW2 thriller, Anthropoid, Nicolas Winding Refn’s, The Neon Demon, and The Road, starring Viggo Mortensen.
SPI/FilmBox and Focus Sat have recently inked a new distribution deal for SPI’s drama service Dizi. Starting January 4th 2021, Focus Sat subscribers will be able to access Dizi in their MozaicPlus extra-basic package.
SPI/FilmBox continues to expand its footprint in Romania through new distribution agreements with key partners in the region. The new distribution agreement with Focus Sat, one of the biggest providers of digital satellite television services in Romania, renders SPI’s Dizi available to subscribers in the MozaicPlus extra-basic package starting January 4th 2021. Dizi will be offered in the original Turkish language with Romanian subtitles.
“We are delighted to be able to bring the mesmerizing world of Turkish series with Dizi to a larger audience in Romania with one of our long-standing partners, Focus Sat,” commented Tamas Fülöp, Regional Director of Operations at SPI International. “Turkish series have travelled to 146 countries worldwide reaching 700 million people. What makes Dizi unique is that it brings the best Turkish series from major producers together in one place for all to enjoy, 24/7,” added Fülop.
Launched in April 2019, Dizi currently reaches 25 million households worldwide in 81 countries rapidly growing its presence globally with recent launches in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. With over 600 hours of fresh content including globally acclaimed series, the current highlights include: International Emmy Award winning Endless Love, Insider, Stiletto Vendetta, Karadayi, Black Money Love, 20 Minutes, Kurt Seyit & Shura, Red Scarf and The End. Dizi also brings three unique and exclusive series to international screens for the first time: Moms and Mothers, Five Brothers and The 8th Day.
“We constantly monitor trends in consumer interest for different genres, specific television channels or types of programs and we try to integrate them into our content offer. We focus all our efforts on enriching our line-up with new movies, series and other attractive TV content, and our long-standing partnership with SPI International is a living proof in this respect,” Mihai Tilina, General Manager of Eviso Marketing Advisory Romania SA, said.
SPI’s flagship FilmBox service is also available to Focus Sat subscribers with linear and on-demand offerings. All Focus Sat customers with an active subscription to the FilmBox premium package can access the FilmBox Live streaming service at no additional cost. Focus Sat also carries seven other channels from the expansive SPI/FilmBox portfolio including a string of movie channels: FilmBox, FilmBox Stars, FilmBox Family, FilmBox Premium, FilmBox ExtraHD and two thematic channels, FightBox and DocuBox.
About SPI International
SPI International is a global media company operating 42 television channels and digital services on six continents. FilmBox being its flagship movie service, SPI is one of the biggest aggregators of native Ultra HD content in the world. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses state of the art technology providing its 90 million subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content including live streaming of UHD programming and FilmBox service on any Internet-connected device via major global streaming media players as well as local OTT providers. SPI recently added to its portfolio Film1 premium movie services in the Netherlands, including four movie channels and digital services.
For over 25 years, SPI International has been a leading distributor of theatrical films and television programming in the international market. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand.
About Focus Sat
Focus Sat was launched in 2004 as the first provider of digital satellite television services in Romania, with a mission to bring joy to Romanian audiences. Focus Sat digital satellite television provides the solution for a new lifestyle which emphasizes freedom of choice, high quality, and reliability. With a special emphasis placed on a complete interactive client experience, the new Focus Sat app complements its satellite linear offering with restart and replay of favourite content or on-demand premium services. Focus Sat is part of Canal+ Luxembourg S.à r.l. - one of Europe’s largest operators of satellite and IP-based TV platforms - and is available under different brands in different countries: Freesat and Skylink in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Canal Digitaal and Online.nl in the Netherlands, TV Vlaanderen and TeleSat in Belgium, UPC Direct in Hungary, HD Austria in Austria. All brands offer tailor-made packages for clients adapted to the local culture and language in these countries. Nowadays, M7 Canal+ Group provides more than 3 million subscribers with hundreds of satellite and IP-based radio and television services in digital, HD and UHD quality. M7 Canal+ Group also provides broadband and telephone services to its customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. M7 Canal+ Platform Services provides broadcasters with end-to-end distribution solutions for DTH, cable and IPTV reception. You can find more information at www.m7group.eu
