News

SPI International Unveils Exciting Expansion of FilmBox Channels in South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, and Across the Middle East with Digital Virgo

SPI International, a CANAL+ company with extensive experience in channel management and curation worldwide, is thrilled to announce the launch of three dynamic channels—FilmBox Action, FilmBox Family, and FilmBox Middle East—in key regions, including South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, and Tunisia in partnership with Digital Virgo. The FilmBox lineup will be accessible on platforms such as PLAYVOD, Veedz.TV, Unlimited Streaming, Moov TV, and MTTV. The channels will be part of the basic tier, ensuring widespread availability and easy access for viewers.

"We're thrilled to introduce FilmBox channels on Digital Virgo platforms in South Africa, Ghana, Botswana, and with Arabic subtitles in the Middle East. This expansion reflects our commitment to providing diverse, high-quality content that resonates with audiences globally. We believe these channels will further enhance the entertainment experience for viewers in these regions," commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International.

FilmBox Action delivers heart-pounding entertainment spanning thrillers, westerns, horror movies, science fiction, and more. FilmBox Family offers wholesome viewing suitable for all ages, while FilmBox Middle East caters to a diverse audience with a curated selection of Hollywood blockbusters, timeless classics, and popular films.

Digital Virgo remains committed to enhancing its value proposition to Telecom Operators through the provision of TV and VOD platforms that are ever richer in functionality and content. The renewed partnership with SPI International is part of this overall strategy,” added Vincent Taradel, CMO at Digital Virgo.

About Digital Virgo

Digital Virgo is an international player in the mobile payment industry with an offer dedicated to the content ecosystem, DV CONTENT. A catalogue of turnkey platforms for Telcos and a global distribution network for content creators. With this offer, Digital Virgo gives the opportunity to Mobile Operators to be connected quickly and efficiently to key players of the content ecosystem particularly in the areas of gaming, music, video, TV, youth, edutainment and e-learning. An offer which integrates the technical platform, premium content, payment module and promotional features. For content creators, becoming part of DV CONTENT’s services is the occasion to integrate corners and marketplaces of Mobile Operators in more than 40 countries. A strong and sustainable distribution network to address new users and grow their business. Since 2008, the Group has built partnerships with over 140 operators in more than 40 countries, thanks to local teams mainly in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Latin America. Digital Virgo handles over 13 billion transactional hits per year, with a turnover of 430 million euros in 2022 and 860 employees. https://www.dv-content.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

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SPI International Launches Filmstream on Freeview

SPI International, a CANAL+ company that has extensive expertise in channel curation and management across Free-to-Air (FTA), Pay TV and digital platforms, announces the launch of its channel Filmstream on Freeview UK.

Filmstream on channel 269, presents the Freeview audience with a unique collection of films unavailable on mainstream movie channels. These are movies celebrated at international film festivals, and those that have won the industry's most prestigious awards: the Oscars; Palme d'Or in Cannes; Golden Lion in Venice, and the Golden Bear in Berlinale.

"We are excited to introduce Filmstream to Freeview users, providing an unparalleled entertainment experience to 15 million households with our curated selection of films. This partnership, facilitated by Global Distribution Services with Axiom managing advertising sales, marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand our global footprint and provide premium, exclusive content across a variety of platforms," commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International

After ROK in 2022, Filmstream is the second channel from CANAL+ Group to be launched on Freeview in the UK.

Filmstream is now available on Freeview, channel 269.

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 Freeview

Watched in over 16 million homes, Freeview is the UK’s biggest TV platform. It’s connected TV service, Freeview Play, offers over 60,000 hours of on-demand content and more than 1,500 boxsets alongside over 70 live channels. It’s host to 12 on-demand players, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, UKTV Play, Watch Free UK, PBS America, Great! player, S4C Clic[1], STV Player, POP Player and BBC Sounds.

As a gateway to the hottest TV shows, boxsets, and movies, Freeview Play users can enjoy everything from thrilling live sports fixtures to the most talked about reality shows of the year – and best of all, it’s built into most TVs already. For those that don’t have a Freeview Play TV at home, a set-top box is all that’s required to get watching.

The Freeview platform is operationally managed by Everyone TV (previously Digital UK). The companies have three common shareholders - BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. Sky is a shareholder in Freeview and Channel 5 is a shareholder in Everyone TV.

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SPI International Brings Dizi Channel and Dizi On-Demand Content to Sweden with Allente

SPI International, a CANAL+ company that owns and operates multiple channels and digital products across the globe, announces the launch of its Dizi channel and Dizi on-demand content on the Nordic entertainment company Allente's platform. This strategic partnership marks a significant expansion for SPI International, bringing the best Turkish dramas to viewers across the Nordics, commencing with Sweden, with plans for launches in Norway, Denmark, and Finland scheduled for a later date. Starting March 18th, Dizi channel will be accessible to viewers in Sweden on channel number 88. For satellite and fiber TV customers, Dizi is available as an optional package. For Allente Stream customers with Flex packaging, Dizi is a selectable streaming service.

"We are very happy to introduce the Dizi Channel in Sweden especially when it is together with the region's industry leaders, Allente. This collaboration highlights their innovative and market leading approach to content with strong support for the power of Turkish dramas. The region is one of the most sophisticated content markets in the world, and this is a significant first step in bringing this captivating genre to Nordic television viewers," commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International.  

Dizi Channel has gained immense popularity worldwide, showcasing a diverse range of Turkish series that have captivated audiences with their compelling storytelling, exceptional production values, and talented casts. Dizi channel and Dizi on-demand content are now available on Allente's platform, providing viewers across the Nordics with unlimited access to the best Turkish dramas at their fingertips.

"We are thrilled to launch the newest addition to the Allente family: Dizi. Our partnership with Dizi adds a treasure trove of captivating Turkish series, renowned for their compelling narratives. By integrating Dizi into our offerings, we're not just expanding our content library; we're enriching the cultural tapestry we offer to our subscribers and will address an under-served segment in the market. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering diverse, high-quality entertainment that resonates with audiences worldwide”, said Michael Bärlin, Chief Content Officer at Allente.

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 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. www.spiintl.com

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FilmBox+ Unveils FilmBox Love: A Limited Edition Smart Channel Celebrating Valentine's Day

SPI International (a CANAL+ company) that has extensive expertise in channel curation and management across Free-to-Air (FTA), Pay TV and digital platforms is pleased to unveil a new limited edition Smart Channel - FilmBox Love, perfectly timed for the season of love and romance. The channel is now live and will continue to spread the love until March 15th, offering subscribers a unique cinematic experience available exclusively on the FilmBox+ platform.

FilmBox Love promises to enchant audiences with a curated selection of heartwarming films that blend timeless classics with contemporary tales of love to celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day. Some of the highlights featured on the channel include "The Light Between Oceans," "Two Night Stand," "Plus One," "Every Day," and "La Delicatesse". The selection of movies varies based on the licensed territories.

"At SPI International, we believe in the power of storytelling to connect people. FilmBox Love provides a collection of romantic movies that offer an immersive journey into the emotions that define love. Our dedication to curating Smart Channels stems from a deep understanding that audiences seek content that resonates emotionally. We aim to provide pleasant and relevant entertainment experiences that create moments that are truly memorable for our audiences," commented Haymi Behar, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer at SPI International.

Smart Channels, known for their carefully curated playlists of on-demand content, offer a digital twist to traditional linear channels. FilmBox+ delivers over 200 Smart Channels to a global audience, covering diverse interests such as animation, documentary, lifestyle, sports, and more. Subscribers can access FilmBox+ via the web at www.filmbox.com, download the mobile app compatible with iOS and Android operating systems, or stream content through the Smart TV app available on Apple TV, Android TV, Samsung, and LG Smart TV devices. The platform is also accessible through major European operators.

Experience the magic of love with FilmBox Love, where every story is a celebration of the heart, available now exclusively on FilmBox+.

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

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