ADVENT INTERNATIONAL INVEST IN ZONE VISION

ADVENT International, the global private equity investors, have announced an investment of $12 million in Zone Vision, the London based thematic channel broadcasters and distributors of international cable and satellite channels.
Zone Vision currently broadcasts their proprietary channels across three continents and are about to launch in Latin America. The investment, which values the company at $100 million, will enable Zone Vision to launch new channels and to roll out their existing products to new markets.
Established in 1991, Zone Vision whose operations began in Central and Eastern Europe, have over the last three years embarked on an aggressive expansion programme that has made them one of the leading independent producers and distributors of thematic channels in Europe.
Headquartered in London, Zone Vision have eight channels broadcasting to over 25 million subscribers through customers such as United Pan Communications, BskyB, Multichoice, Digiturk and Arab Digital Distribution.
For over nine years Zone Vision has enjoyed strong trading relationships with leading thematic channel and content providers such as Discovery, MTV, Turner, ESPN and Hallmark through long-term programme syndication and channel representation activities. Such relationships have recently been strengthened through the launch of joint venture channels with Showtime Networks Inc, United Pan Communications and E! Entertainment.
Chris Wronski, Founder and CEO of the Zone Vision Group, said: “This investment enables us to continue to offer high quality, fully localised thematic channels to the ever expanding digital television market place. We are delighted to have secured this funding at a difficult time in the financial markets. I feel confident that partnership with Advent, whose expertise and long history in making media investments, will enable us to build Zone Vision into market leaders.” (CD)