PARIS, August 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat announced today
that AXN, the high-energy general entertainment television network from
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI), has begun broadcasting two
new thematic channels to cable networks in central Europe using Eutelsat's
W2 satellite. The two new channels, AXN Crime and AXN Sci-Fi, have begun
broadcasting in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.
The selection of W2 enables AXN to expand its broadcast reach. AXN
Crime and AXN Sci-Fi, broadcast 18 hours a day with soundtracks available
in Bulgarian, Hungarian, Romanian and Polish. The channels are encrypted in
PowerVu and uplinked to W2 by Eutelsat from its teleport in Rambouillet
near Paris.
"Efficient, flexible, and cost-effective distribution is one of the key
parts of our European growth strategy," said Robert Billeci, SPTI's senior
vice president, Technical Operations, International Networks. "As we
continue to expand our international networks business, we're pleased to be
able to use the advanced broadcast capabilities of Eutelsat, and are
confident that AXN Crime and AXN Sci-Fi will reach their intended audiences
via W2."
"This new contract for AXN Crime and AXN Sci-Fi shows the growing
importance of our W2 satellite to accompany the expansion of new television
channels into homes in central Europe," said Olivier Millies Lacroix,
Eutelsat's Commercial Director. "Backed by the extensive resources of Sony
Pictures International, AXN is uniquely equipped to make an important mark
in central Europe's dynamic broadcasting landscape. We are delighted to
have been selected by the International Networks group of Sony Pictures
Television International to provide a broadcast solution to support the
growth of their stable of channels and their continuing penetration into
television homes in Europe."
AXN Crime is fully dedicated to crime, investigation and mystery. With
the new channel viewers watch in-depth criminal investigations, go behind
the scenes as police work on some of the world's most fascinating cases and
get a close-up look when new technology solves 'cold cases'. Among the
shows airing on the channel are the critically acclaimed and award-winning
SPTI series The Shield and the David Caruso police detective drama, Michael
Hayes.
AXN Sci-Fi offers the best of science-fiction. The genre has a very
strong, fervent and dedicated audience in the countries of the region.
Ultimate sci-fi hit series praised by fans all over the world - Star Trek:
Enterprise, Andromeda, Sliders and Charlie Jade - are all shown on AXN
Sci-Fi. Battlestar Galactica and Trucks round out the channel's strong
programming content.
About AXN
Delivering top rated series, blockbuster features, adventure-reality
and first-run lifestyle sports programming, AXN is a leading international
television destination among young adults 18-34. AXN is seen in 50
countries across Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, and is
part of Sony Pictures Television International's diverse portfolio of over
40 global networks. Sony Pictures Television International is a Sony
Pictures Entertainment company.
About Sony Pictures Television International
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division of Sony
Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business
outside of the United States. SPTI operates three complementary lines of
business: 1) distribution of SPE's feature films and television programming
to television, mobile and digital content delivery outlets around the
world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3)
international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the
distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and
television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced
television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany,
Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China,
Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in
nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television
production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI's worldwide television
networks portfolio is a key strategy in the SPE's long-range commitment to
the global marketplace, with over 40 networks in more than 100 countries
reaching over 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures
Entertainment company.
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234)
is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. The Group is a leading satellite
operator with capacity commercialised on 24 satellites providing coverage
over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa,
India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas. The Group is one of
the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. Its
satellites are used for broadcasting more than 2,100 TV and 970 radio
stations to more than 120 million cable and satellite homes. The Group also
provides TV contribution services, corporate networks, mobile positioning
and communications, Internet backbone connectivity and broadband access for
terrestrial, maritime and in-flight applications. Eutelsat Communications
is headquartered in Paris, and the Group's workforce comprises over 480
from 27 countries.
http://www.eutelsat.com
For further information
Press Eutelsat
Vanessa O'Connor
Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88
voconnor@eutelsat.fr
Frederique Gautier
Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88
fgautier@eutelsat.fr
Investors Eutelsat
Gilles Janvier
Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35
investors@eutelsat-communications.com
Press Sony Pictures Television International
Ron Sato
Tel: +1-310-244-4687
ron_sato@spe.sony.com
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SOURCE Eutelsat Communications
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CONTACT:
For further information: Press Eutelsat,
Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr;
Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr.
Investors Eutelsat, Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-35,
investors@eutelsat-communications.com. Press Sony Pictures
Television International, Ron Sato, Tel: +1-310-244-4687,
ron_sato@spe.sony.com
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