History Channel UK Appoints Chello Zone As Distribution Representative

The History Channel UK, a joint venture of A&E Television Networks (AETN) and British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), has appointed Chello Zone, a business unit of Chellomedia, to serve as distribution representative for The History Channel to pay TV platforms in the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Additionally, Chellomedia is providing a range of broadcast services, including digitization and signal distribution, content language versioning, and scheduling through their facilities at the Digital Media Centre in Amsterdam.
Following a year in which The History Channel expanded its reach in Europe with the launch of both standard definition and high definition services in Scandinavia and the Benelux, the network's roll out continues with an anticipated launch in Central Europe in Q2 2008.
Chello Zone's representation business is unrivalled across the region and offers its sales and channel management service to over 35 clients.
Now available in over 135 countries to more than 235 million TV households, The History Channel is the only international television network devoted exclusively to historical programming, featuring informative and entertaining series, specials and documentaries.
The network reveals the power and passion of history, allowing viewers to experience history personally and connect their own lives to the great lives and events of the past. The History Channel features award-winning programming that covers a variety of topics, including ancient history, contemporary history, military history and conflict, and technology and transport.
The History Channel was first launched by AETN in January 1995 in the United States.
The UK joint venture with Sky launched in November 1995 and operates The History Channel, The Biography Channel, Crime & Investigation Network and The History Channel HD in the UK.
The joint venture also operates The History Channel and The History Channel HD in Scandinavia, the Benelux, Sub-Sahara Africa and Greece, as well as Crime & Investigation Network in Sub-Sahara Africa.
Ian McDonough, Commercial Director of The History Channel UK added: “We have a clear commitment to investment in the localization of our channels, and Chello Zone, with its great expertise and regional experience is the perfect partner to ensure this strategy is a success in Central Europe.”
Louise Cottrell, Vice President Affiliate Sales at Chello Zone commented: "This is a significant agreement for us.
"The History Channel is one of the most respected worldwide brands with a strong and clear programming strategy. We are confident that their unique and diverse range of high quality programming will prove very popular with audiences in the region," she said.
(DS)