Zodiak Television Enters Belarus

Through the Russian subsidiary TeleAlliance, Zodiak Television has now begun activities in its 13th market.
The first project will be a prime time entertainment show set to premiere this autumn.
Zodiak will strengthen its operations in the CIS region with a newly opened branch in Belarus, which will exploit production and licensing possibilities in the country.
The branch will be run by Zodiak Vostok in Moscow, which is the managing and business development company for the group's investments in the CIS region.
The first production in Belarus will be 34 episodes primetime entertainment show commissioned and financed by SportPari, a Belarussian lottery company. It builds on a new format devised by Zodiak subsidiary TeleAlliance, which is also producing the 34 episodes.
Patrick Svensk, CEO of Zodiak Television, said: "The expansion into Belarus is a perfect example of our strategy in the CIS region. We are building a strong rights catalogue which we can capitalise on through production, co-production and licensing in these fast growing markets."
The country offers great potential, with an advertising market that grew with some 70% between 2005 and 2007. The outsourcing of TV production to private companies, which is currently low, is expected to increase dramatically as the market keeps growing and becomes more mature.
Patrick Nebout, VP Business Development at Zodiak Vostok, commented: "In 2007 we introduced Zodiak's primetime format "Stars on Stage" to Belarus' leading broadcaster ONT, where it instantly became a hit. But this new commissioned project by SportPari makes a breakthrough for our production activities in Belarus and allows us to take the pole position in the market. We're already in discussion with several broadcasters to produce formats out of our international and Russian catalogue."
Further information is available at: www.zodiakinternational.com.
(KMcA/JM)