Sundance Channel expands across Europe, Taiwan

January 26, 2012 by Kevin Ritchie

AMC/Sundance Channel Global has inked new carriage deals for The Sundance Channel with cable and broadband platforms in Belgium, Poland, France and Taiwan, on the heels of the network’s launch in the Portuguese market through pay-TV operator ZON Multimedia.

In Belgium, the channel is now available through IPTV service Belgacom TV and subtitled in both Flemish and French. It debuted in the market two years ago through cable TV provider Telenet. The Polish version launched January 1, 2012 on IPTV service SGT S.A. as a 24/7 HD linear broadcast with Polish subtitles.

Meanwhile, Virgin will soon add a 24/7 HD, French-versioned Sundance Channel to its Virgin Box in France and Taiwanese Veetime will soon add a 24/7 linear offering of the network with Mandarin subtitles. Last year, the network struck deals with IPTV provider Chunghwa Telecom and Dish TV’s DTH system.

Last year Sundance also entered the Spanish market with Telefonica and will roll out in HD of the localized version in mid-January.

“It has long been a hope of mine that audiences internationally could experience the creativity and great filmmaking that comes out of Sundance, so I am happy to see the expansion of Sundance Channel Global,” the channel’s founder, Robert Redford, said in a statement. “Our programming is designed to be inspiring and broaden people’s perspectives and I’m looking forward to the channel’s continued international growth over the coming year.”

“These new distribution partnerships reflect the strong appetite for high quality, globally renowned entertainment from audiences and content distributors alike,” added Bruce Tuchman, president of AMC/Sundance Channel Global.

Tags: Bruce Tuchman, Robert Redford, Sundance Channel