Viasat Film, 4 HD movie channels from MTG
January 3, 2012
International entertainment broadcasting group Modern Times Group is marking the 20th anniversary of the launch of Viasat’s pay-TV services with the rebranding of the TV1000 movie channel brand to ‘Viasat Film’ across the Nordic region. In addition, Viasat will also launch four new Viasat Film premium pay-TV HD movie channels in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland on 1 March 2012. Viasat will now broadcast a total of 11 thematic premium pay-TV movie channels across the region. A major pan-Nordic marketing campaign will shortly be launched to support the rebranding and drive uptake of the new channels amongst cable, satellite and IPTV subscribers across the region
Viasat’s movie channel offering will therefore comprise Viasat Film and Viasat Film HD; Viasat Film Action and Viasat Film Action HD; Viasat Film Nordic and Viasat Film Nordic HD; Viasat Film Family and Viasat Film Family HD; Viasat Film Drama and Viasat Film Drama HD; and Viasat Film Classic. All of the channels will be available on the Viasat satellite pay-TV platform and also be distributed in IPTV and cable TV networks with which Viasat has agreements. As well as screening five exclusive premieres a week, the service will also air a broad range of previously unbroadcast movies
Viasat has agreements with a combination of the major Hollywood studios and distributors around the world. Not only is this extensive portfolio of content made available on Viasat’s linear pay-TV channels but also through the Viaplay online pay-TV service
Hans-Holger Albrecht, President and CEO of MTG, described Viasat Film as “the biggest premiere of 2012,” adding that TV1000 had been a fantastic brand for MTG and would live on successfully outside the Nordic region, but that the time had come for a change in the company’s home markets
“The Viasat Film family of thematic movie brands in standard and high definition connects our operator brand with multiple genres of content, and mirrors what we have done successfully with our dedicated sports and documentary channels. We are encouraging viewers to create their own personal cinemas and bring the theatre-going experience into their homes. This is the ultimate in entertainment at your command – it’s as big as cinema but closer,” he declared.