AMC Networks signs multi-territory agreement with M7
June 28, 2021
AMC Networks International (AMCNI) and M7 Group, owned by European pay-TV provider Canal+, have announced a multi-year, multi-territory extension to their long-standing strategic partnership in Central and Eastern Europe. The agreement covers the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, and secures enhanced distribution for the entire AMCNI pay-TV channel portfolio in each country including linear channels and VoD content.
The deal secures ongoing long-term distribution in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for the entire AMCNI portfolio of 10 pay-TV brands, including Sport1, Sport2, AMC, Film+, Minimax, JimJam, Spektrum, Spektrum Home, TV Paprika and CBS Reality. The partnership also brings new elements, including wider distribution of Sport1 on Skylink’s platforms with 10 per cent penetration growth for the channel to be available in more than 80 per cent of pay-TV households. Sport1 and Sport2 will broadcast live UEFA international club competition matches in these territories for the first time through recently acquired UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference Cup matches. The agreement also moves Minimax into the most widely distributed package on Skylink’s platforms which makes the children’s channel available in over 85 per cent of pay-TV homes across both markets.
For Hungary, the agreement secures continued carriage for the entire AMCNI portfolio on M7’s DirectOne which will also include the recently announced acquired UEFA Champion’s League and Serie A football rights on its Sports channels. AMCNI also broadens its VoD offering for its channels, while AMC will be placed in the basic package making the popular film and series channel available in over 90 per cent of pay-TV homes.
In Romania, the agreement secures continued distribution for the entire AMCNI pay-TV portfolio on FocusSat’s platforms.
Stefano Colombo, VP Content at M7, commented: “We are very pleased with the continuation and further strengthening of our long-standing partnership in the Central European markets. The new agreement provides even more of our subscribers with AMCNI’s attractive and diversified content line-up in all genres from Kids to Sports, to TV Serials and Lifestyle programming, strengthening both our linear and on-demand offerings. We look forward to a fruitful cooperation over the coming years.”
Levente Málnay, EVP/MD of AMCNI Central and Northern Europe, added: “M7 Group and AMCNI have been working together for almost 20 years to bring audiences the best in sports and entertainment, and this enhanced alliance highlights the strong demand for our award-winning content. Our new multi-territory agreement will give M7 customers across Central Europe a diverse and acclaimed selection of linear and on demand entertainment in the coming years. This will include the first-ever live broadcast of UEFA international club competitions – UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference Cup matches – on Sport1 and Sport2 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, among many other exclusive premieres.”