Global media company SPI International, now a part of the CANAL+ Group, is excited to announce the launch of its first space in the metaverse, Casa FilmBox. The virtual space within Spatial’s metaverse features an auditorium, meeting rooms, galleries and exhibition halls to showcase SPI’s rich portfolio of content, products and marketing campaigns. Casa FilmBox also features a performance center that the company aims to use for hosting special events such as movie screenings, shows, company get-togethers and other community activities.
“With the introduction of higher speed mobile internet, 5G, metaverse will become an essential part of our daily lives. We see the metaverse as a space where the physical and digital come together to create the “phygital” - a brand new immersive experience that will transform the ways in which brands engage with their communities and vice versa. This will be a kind of immersive engagement that is unprecedented in the professional world,” comments Haymi Behar, CMO & CDO at SPI International.
Casa FilmBox is designed to familiarize the metaverse users with the SPI/FilmBox brand and to bring SPI teams, partners and audiences together within a fully immersive virtual hub that enables a new level of creative and efficient collaboration. “These virtual hubs will allow professionals to visually manifest their ideas, work and co-create with their team members from all around the world within a single shared environment as if they are right next to each other. Collaborative thinking increases productivity immensely and the metaverse will help in this direction” added Behar.
As one of the leading content distributors worldwide, SPI has also created an easy-to-navigate exhibition hall that showcases its content selection for clients who would like to browse through their catalog. Additionally, the company plans to create and share its own non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with the community in the near future through the metaverse.
“By taking full advantage of the rapidly evolving technology, Casa FilmBox aims to reach audiences by creating unique, personalized and immersive experiences. Web3, NFTs and blockchain technologies open countless opportunities to interact with and experience content. We also believe that the presence of our brands in the metaverse will help grow our relationship with young, connected audiences. Innovation is at the heart of all of our endeavors at SPI and it brings us immense joy to be at the forefront of this transformation that will eventually become an integral part of our lives,” said Behar.
Metaverse is an inclusive universal virtual world composed of simulated digital environments. Powered by virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies, the metaverse proposes a new way of interaction among users that is beyond the confines of space and traditional communication. The spaces within the metaverse can be accessed through PCs, game consoles, mobile phones and VR headsets.
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 62 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 Group 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 700 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/FilmBox and Telekom Srbija Group, the largest internet and cable television provider in Serbia, announce that they have extended their distribution deal, effective as of August 1st, 2022. The extension will allow mts TV, Supernova, and m:SAT TV subscribers in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina to enjoy thirteen SPI channels and on-demand content for more years to come.
“It is our great pleasure to continue to offer our sought-after channels and VOD content to audiences through our long-standing partnership with Telekom Srbija Group,” said Murat Muratoğlu, Head of Distribution at SPI International.
mts TV, Supernova, and m:SAT TV subscribers will have continued access to four FilmBox channels – FilmBox Premium, FilmBox Stars, FilmBox Extra and FilmBox Arthouse – and to a suite of thematic channels such as Dizi, Gametoon, DocuBox, Fast&FunBox, Erox, Eroxx, FashionBox, FightBox and 360 TuneBox, in addition to a catalog of on-demand content.
„We are convinced that continued cooperation with SPI will contribute to further reinforcement of our position as the regional leader in the distribution of TV content, and we expect that cooperation to proceed to our mutual satisfaction”, stated Marijana Vukašinović, Content Management Director, Telekom Serbia Group of companies.
About TELEKOM SRBIJA
Telekom Srbija is the leader on the telecommunications market in Serbia that brings a unique and integrated experience to its customers. Operating in Serbia under the mts, Supernova and m:SAT TV brands, the company provides services in the sphere of mobile and fixed telephony, television and the Internet. By the introduction of new services and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, the company tries to enable global connectivity and enrich people’s lives by creating conditions for excellent communication.
By continued investment in further development and modernization of the telecommunications infrastructure, network and services, the company can successfully respond to all the challenges, demands and expectations of the customers. Also, by creating new trends, the company encourages the development of new customer experiences. Telekom Srbija operates within Telekom Srbija Group which boasts a versatile portfolio of telecommunications services in several countries in Europe serving more than 11 million customers, while it is globally present through the sale of television services throughout the world, i.e. on five continents.
In the previous period, the company has been building its capacities in the production and distribution of exclusive TV series, feature films and sports content. Telekom Srbija has thus supplemented its portfolio of top services with the production of quality documentary and feature programmes. This content is broadcast on all Telekom’s multimedia platforms and on its partners’ streaming services and TV networks, and is relevant and attractive for further distribution worldwide.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 42+ 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 Group 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 700 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
A CANAL+ company SPI/FilmBox and evision, the media & entertainment division of e& life with flagship entertainment services such as eLife TV, Switch TV, Misr TV and Mobily TV have extended their distribution agreement to include Gametoon and Dizi channels in MENA. This is in addition to SPI’s existing bouquet of linear offerings already available via evision in the Middle East. eLife TV subscribers can access Dizi channel through the basic package on channel 156 and Gametoon through the Sports package on channel 771. Branded corners will also be available for digital streaming via eLifeTV, Switch TV and Mobily TV, KSA.
“The growing affinity for Turkish series in the Middle East is undisputed, and we are excited to partner with evision, to deliver a compelling slate of award-winning and popular Turkish drama series to a wide audience who appreciates quality content,” commented Murat Muratoğlu, Head of Distribution at SPI International. “Gametoon is also one of our most sought-after channels, which I’m certain will delight esports fans very much,” added Muratoğlu.
The Dizi channel reaches millions of households worldwide, rapidly growing its global footprint. The channel features a slate of critically acclaimed Turkish drama series with captivating stories and A-list stars. It will be offered with the Arabic dubbing option.
Gametoon is a revolutionary channel created by true gaming and esports enthusiasts and features game reviews, esports tournaments, and exclusive game walkthroughs and sessions from popular streamers with large fan bases.
eLife TV already carries the following channels from SPI’s portfolio: The flagship FilmBox, which broadcasts Hollywood blockbusters, favorite evergreens and popular series; FightBox which broadcasts some of the most electrifying combat sports live events and multi-discipline mixed martial arts coverage from all over the world; DocuBox which delivers a collection of award-winning documentaries about different cultures and the wonders of our world; Fast&FunBox offers action-packed programming dedicated to adrenaline sports and FunBox UHD broadcasts visually-groundbreaking documentaries and lifestyle programming.
About evision, from e&
Established in 1999, evision, the media & entertainment division of e& life (a business pillar of e&), is the largest and most trusted content aggregator in the MENAP region, with flagship entertainment services such as eLife TV, Switch TV, Misr TV and Mobily TV.
As a pioneer in home entertainment via IPTV and streaming services in the region, evision provides cloud-based content and platform solutions, as well as content management for IPTV, streaming, and mobile in all forms of entertainment across MENAP. With over 20 years of collaboration with Hollywood studios, independent studios, and regional content suppliers, evision delivers more than 600 TV channels and 15,000 hours of on-demand content across several languages.
evision also operates original and exclusive in-house channels such as ejunior, the most watched kids’ channel in the UAE; emasala, a 24-hour non-stop South Asian movie channel; and CricLife channels, 24-hour HD channels dedicated to being the Home of Cricket for MENA with live broadcast rights to major international cricket events.
evision signed a binding agreement in March 2022 to own a majority equity stake in STARZPLAY, a leading video streaming service in the region, through the evision-led consortium with ADQ.
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 62 TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and 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 Group 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 700 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/FilmBox announces their first distribution deal with Melita, Malta’s leading provider of next-generation broadband, fixed and wireless connectivity services, for SPI’s drama hub Dizi. Starting September 27th, Dizi will available in Melita’s L and XL packages at channel number 332.
“After the huge success of Dizi in Spain and Portugal, we are very excited to introduce the wonderful world of Dizi to the Maltese audience in partnership with Melita. We are happy to be working with Melita, to bring this new genre of premium drama to new audiences, and are confident that these series with their captivating storylines and A-list stars will capture the hearts of the viewers,” said Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe & Africa at SPI International.
Dizi broadcasts a slate of critically acclaimed Turkish drama series, starring popular stars and reaches millions of households worldwide. Dizi has been expanding its global footprint rapidly and is currently available through multiple operators worldwide.
Simon Poljsak, Senior Manager, Fixed Services at Melita Limited, said, “Melita’s TV offering continues to strengthen with the addition of Dizi, which is fast establishing itself as the home of great drama. Our commitment, as always, is to continue doing all we can to provide the variety and quality our TV customers expect be it in drama, entertainment, factual programming or sports.”
About MELITA
Melita helps people stay connected with the most technologically advanced telecommunication services around, whether it’s gigabit internet, our 5G mobile network, or our seamless WiFi mesh network. We take pride in connecting everything and everyone through high speed Internet, High-Definition Digital Television, Fixed Telephony and 5G Mobile. We provide smart solutions for business, combining the most powerful internet network in Europe with the most advanced mobile network to enable IoT capabilities. Our purpose-built Data Centre provides high security, cloud services and connectivity whilst our dedicated support teams and our fully redundant international links keep your business running. We started back in 1992, and today we set the standard for digital technologies in Malta and provide services to more than 75% of Maltese households.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 42+ TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and 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 Group 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 700 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
