- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
Sony Corp.’s Sony Pictures Television Networks unit said Friday that it has reached a deal with John Malone‘s Liberty Global to acquire premium TV channels group Film1 in the Netherlands.
Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Under the agreement, SPT will fully own and operate Film1’s five premium movie channels and its Film1 Go service, pending regulatory approval.
“The acquisition of Film1 marks a key move into the Dutch market and underlines our continued commitment to grow our highly successful and diverse suite of channels across Europe,” said Kate Marsh, SPT’s executive vp, networks, Western Europe. “Film1 complements and expands our successful networks portfolio and we are looking forward to working with all our partners to continue to build on the success of the Film1 proposition.”
Pan-European cable operator Liberty Global had bought Film1 as part of its acquisition of Dutch cable operator Ziggo. “We wanted to ensure the new owner would be focused on building on a strong portfolio of channels,” said Niall Curran, president of Liberty Global’s media investments group.
All five Film1 channels will continue to be carried on Liberty Global’s Ziggo and UPC cable platforms in the Netherlands.
The five channels are Film1 Premiere, Film1 Action, Film1 Comedy & Kids, Film1 Spotlight and Film1 Sundance. They feature movies from Dreamworks, Fox, Paramount, MGM and Warner Bros. and independent films. The Film1 Go service is available to all Film1 subscribers on PCs, tablets and smartphones.
Last year, SPT acquired U.K. TV networks group CSC Media, which added 16 channels in the kids, music and general entertainment space to Sony’s portfolio. And earlier this year, it bought two Hungarian networks.
SPT’s international networks portfolio includes 148 channel feeds available in 178 countries reaching more than 1.28 billion cumulative households worldwide.
Email: Georg.Szalai@THR.com
Twitter: @georgszalai
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day