SPI International’s FilmBox Debuts in the Netherlands with Canal Digitaal

SPI International is proud to announce the launch of their flagship FilmBox brand in the Netherlands. Starting on May 4th 2021, FilmBox will be available to all Canal Digitaal subscribers in the basic package. 

SPI International is proud to announce the launch of their international brand FilmBox in the Netherlands which marks the beginning of FilmBox’s expansion into Western Europe. FilmBox will initially launch in the Netherlands with the M7 Group, one of Europe’s largest operators of satellite and IP-based TV platforms via their Dutch pay-TV brand Canal Digitaal. Starting May 4th 2021, FilmBox will be available in the basic package of Canal Digitaal’s DTH platform for all subscribers at Channel 14. FilmBox will launch on Canal Digitaal’s IPTV platform with the same EPG number soon after.

“FilmBox’s launch in the Netherlands is an exciting milestone for SPI International in terms of its expansion into the Western European market. FilmBox is included in operators’ basic packages and aims to target a different window and audience than our premium film service portfolio. FilmBox will have a different positioning in Western Europe compared to Central Eastern Europe and it will serve as a complementary gateway service to our premium Film1 portfolio,” said Berk Uziyel, CEO at SPI International. “We are delighted to spearhead FilmBox’s expansion in the Netherlands with our long-standing partners at the M7 Group who share our passionate commitment to making top-quality content more affordable and easier to access,” added Uziyel.

FilmBox delivers a compelling slate of Hollywood movies, favorite evergreens and popular series to over 30 million households globally. Content highlights for the month of May include: 10 Things We Should Do Before We Break Up (2019) starring Christina Ricci and Hamish Linklater; Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh’s Unsane (2018) starring Claire Foy and crime drama Crypto (2019) starring Beau Knapp, Luke Hemsworth and Alexis Bledel. In addition, the hit show NARCOS will make its linear TV debut in the Netherlands on FilmBox where viewers can watch the first three seasons and the fourth installment entitled NARCOS: Mexico on Mondays and catch the reruns on Sundays.  

“We are extremely happy that we can offer FilmBox to our customers. There is an insatiable hunger for interesting content at the moment. Recently we have expanded our on demand offer with content from our parent company Canal+ and other valuable parties. The addition of FilmBox as a fixed channel is a great next step. With our distinctive services we think we are a rich addition to the established market,” said Christiaan Puper, Country Manager at Canal Digitaal.

SPI International has been active in the Dutch pay-TV market with their thematic brands, and more recently with the premium movie services brand Film1, which operates four linear channels and on-demand services in the region. Canal Digitaal currently carries all four Film1 channels and Film1 VOD content, as well as other thematic brands from SPI’s portfolio including: DocuBox, which delivers award-winning documentaries and FightBox, geared towards mixed-martial arts and combat sports enthusiasts.     

 

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 Canal Digitaal

Canal Digital is a Dutch television provider. Users can watch television via satellite, via the TV app on SmartTV or mobile or via IPTV (fiber / VDSL via resellers). At Canal Digital consumers can watch all major regular channels. Canal Digital also offers channels for sports fans such as ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3, nature and documentary channels such as National Geographic and LoveNature and channels such as RTL Crime and BBC First. With 78 channels, there is plenty to choose from. Subscriptions are available from € 14.95 per month with free viewing for the first week. Canal Digital is part of Canal + Luxembourg, a Canal + Group company.

About M7 Group

M7 Group S.A., a CANAL+ Group company, is one of Europe’s largest operators of satellite and IP-based TV platforms and is based in Luxembourg. M7 Group uses different brands in different countries: Skylink and Freesat in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Canal Digitaal in the Netherlands, TV Vlaanderen and TeleSat in Belgium, HD Austria in Austria, UPC Direct in Hungary and Focus Sat in Romania. All brands offer tailor made packages for clients adapted to the local culture and language in these countries. Today, M7 Group provides more than 3 million subscribers with hundreds of satellite and IP-based radio and television services in digital and HD quality. Since 2011, M7 Group also provides broadband and telephony services to its customers in the Netherlands and Belgium. M7 Platform Services provides broadcasters with end-to-end distribution solutions for DTH, cable and IPTV reception. www.m7group.eu.