Six CBS-branded channels will launch in the UK later this year after the US giant’s international arm struck a joint venture deal with multichannel operator Chellomedia.
The new channels will replace Zone Romantica, Zone Thriller, Zone Horror and Zone Reality, plus Zone Horror+1 and Zone Reality+1, although their new themed brands have not been revealed.
They will air programming from CBS Studios International’s catalogue of more than 70,000 hours of drama, reality and long form content, including Dynasty and the original re-mastered series of Star Trek. The channels will also acquire third party programming.
Chellomedia’s international broadcaster arm, Chello Zone has agreed a 50/50 joint venture with CBS International and will continue to operate the channels. It will form a a new board with representatives from CBS and Chello Zone, to guide strategy and direction for the new venture.
CBS Studios International president Armando Nuñez said the CBS brand was recognized around the world. He said: “This venture opens a new distribution outlet for our vast library of content, and complements our strong ongoing licensing of programming in the UK and around the world.”
Chellomedia president and Liberty Global chief strategy officer Shane O’Neill added: “This UK partnership marries our channel expertise with one of the world’s largest libraries of high quality and globally popular programming; we are delighted that CBS and Chello Zone are entering into this prestigious partnership on our UK entertainment television channels.”
The Chello Zone channels are available in more than 13 million UK homes via the Sky, Virgin Media and FreeSat platforms.
CBS Studios International sells content from CBS Television Studios, CBS Television Distribution, Showtime, CBS News, CBS Films and a library of more than 70,000 hours of programming to more than 200 markets.
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