News

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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SPI International Brings Dizi Channel and Hundreds of Hours of On-Demand Content with FilmBox+ to NXTDIGITAL India

SPI International, a CANAL+ company with extensive experience in channels management and curation, is thrilled to announce its partnership with NXTDIGITAL India to launch Dizi channel and the FilmBox+ streaming service. Subscribers now have the unique opportunity to enjoy Turkish drama series with Dizi, in Hindi. Accessible as a linear channel through the VAS Bouquet package and available on-demand via the FilmBox+ platform, viewers can dive into the captivating content anytime, anywhere. Viewers can also watch renowned world cinema classics on-demand via FilmBox Arthouse on the FilmBox+ streaming service.

Murat Muratoglu, Head of Distribution at SPI International, stated, "We are pleased to collaborate with NXTDIGITAL India to bring their viewers Dizi channel and FilmBox Arthouse content. This alliance marks a substantial stride in providing exceptional entertainment to Indian viewers. We're set to transform the digital TV experience with a range of content to suit different tastes."

Subscribers will have access to a wide selection of Dizi channel series and FilmBox Arthouse content on-demand via the FilmBox+ platform, which allows viewers to watch their favourite shows and films at their convenience.

Khalid Khan, CEO of India Spark and instrumental in forging the partnership between SPI International and NXTDIGITAL India, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration and said, "We observed the growing preference of Indian viewers for Turkish content over the past few years. Recognizing a significant opportunity here, we collaborated with SPI International to dub their content in Hindi. As a viewer, I believe this marks a ground-breaking moment for all of us — it could potentially be the first Turkish channel entirely dubbed in Hindi. Furthermore, FilmBox Arthouse will be a cinephile's dream. It will offer a collection of timeless classics from legendary directors like Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Fellini, and more. Undoubtedly, it's a treasure trove of on-demand entertainment options for our audience. It was a long time coming, but here it is!"

N.K. Rouse, Chief Operating Officer, NXTDIGITAL, said, “It is a great time to get new internationally acclaimed content for the Indian masses when the world is coming closer. This partnership is a great way for us to give more value to our customers and bring them renowned content at their fingertips. The Dizi channel and the FilmBox+ partnership is a step ahead for NXTDIGITAL to provide quality entertainment to our customers on demand and open content avenues of the world for them.”

About NXTDIGITAL 

NXTDIGITAL is the digital media division of Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), the leading technology-led customer experience, business process management and digital media services player, backed by the global conglomerate Hinduja Group. The digital media business comprises content distribution platforms via cable and satellite, wired broadband, broadband-over-satellite services, enterprise solutions (ONEOTT iNTERTAINMENT Ltd.), technology services (IndusInd Media & Communications Ltd.), and content syndication (IN Entertainment Ltd.).

With a pan-India reach, NXTDIGITAL delivers television services via digital cable and the country’s only Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) satellite platform under the brand names INDigital and NXTDIGITAL, respectively. The HITS service is available in over 1,500 cities and towns – covering over 4,500 PIN codes – with a significant presence in the fastest-growing demographics of semi-urban, semi-rural, and rural India. NXTDIGITAL is well-established nationally through a trained franchisee network of 10,000 digital services partners who deliver services to millions of customers across the length and breadth of the country.

HGS is listed on BSE and NSE. For the year ended March 31, 2023, HGS had revenues of Rs. 5,006.7 crore (US$ 621.5 million).

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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