SPI International, a CANAL+ company that operates multiple digital services, linear and FAST channels across the globe, is pleased to announce the first integration of its popular streaming service, FilmBox+, in Bulgaria with Bulsatcom. The partnership aims to enhance the entertainment options for viewers by seamlessly integrating FilmBox+ within the Bulsatcom portfolio, as well as into Bulsatcom's b•box set-top-box at a special price of BGN 3.99 for clients of the operator.
FilmBox+ presents an all-in-one entertainment solution that combines the best of both worlds: instant access to an extensive video-on-demand (VOD) catalog and live channels on any internet-connected device. With FilmBox+ audiences can choose from a curated selection of VOD content ranging from Hollywood blockbusters featuring world-famous stars to independent world cinema gems, compelling TV series, enlightening documentaries, engaging lifestyle programming, and more, including hundreds of channels catering to all tastes, such as Gametoon, DocuBox, FashionBox, Fast&FunBox and more.
"We are thrilled to offer FilmBox+ to Bulsatcom clients, further strengthening our long-standing partnership. Through this collaboration, we are excited to provide Bulsatcom subscribers with our premium OTT service that combines linear channels with an extensive collection of VOD content, establishing FilmBox+ as the ultimate destination for great entertainment for viewers in Bulgaria," said Murat Muratoglu, Head of Distribution at SPI International.
One of the notable features of this integration is the introduction of Smart Channels which are specially curated playlists of on-demand content that play back-to-back in a similar fashion to traditional linear channels. "Smart Channels are fully digital and exclusive to the FilmBox+ platform. They aim to maximize discoverability of content that aligns with viewers’ interests, enhancing the overall viewing experience," commented Haymi Behar, CMO & CDO at SPI International. "Smart Channels bring benefits not only to our valued consumers but also to our operator partners. By enabling us to swiftly create new channels upon request, they significantly enhance the value we bring to our partnership with Bulsatcom,’’ added Behar.
"Our partnership with global media company SPI International, is part of our overall strategy to modernize our services. In times of rapidly evolving technology and changes in consumer preferences, it is key for us to be able to offer users the ability to personalize their experience. Thanks to recommendation algorithms, users receive content that matches their preferences and interests. FilmBox+ will allow users to watch movies and series anytime and from any device with internet access. This gives the flexibility of viewing and the opportunity to enjoy their favourite content even away from home or while travelling," says Peter Rizov, Managing Director of Bulsatcom.
About Bulsatcom and b.boxapp
Bulsatcom is one of the leading pay-TV providers in Bulgaria with a major position in satellite TV.
The TV provider broadcasts over 250 channels, of which over 130 in HD format and 8 in 4K ULTRA HD format. The company maintains a portfolio of rich and diverse TV channels, including HBO, HBO2, HBO3, Cinemax and Cinemax 2, among others.
b.boxapp is a mobile version of Bulsatcom's existing b.box service, running on all Android, iOS, Fire TV and Tizen devices. The mobile version supports all modern interactive features of b.box such as watching TV channels in real time and recordings arranged in a smart archive.
Using the b.boxapp, customers can restart a live broadcast, rewind it or pause it. They have quick access to the top 100 most-watched movies and shows, sorted by genre and recorded up to 7 days ago, as well as super-enriched detailed information about the shows, including categories, actors and script.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 62 TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and is a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia, and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI Group owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
SPI/FilmBox and Free, one of France’s leading telecommunications providers, ink new distribution deal for eight SPI channels and renew carriage deal for FightBox which broadcasts programming dedicated to mixed martial arts. There are various packaging options available for viewers who would like to access the channels. Viewers can either subscribe to FightBox, Dizi, FilmBox Arthouse, and DocuBox individually or they can get the following two standalone packs: the Entertainment pack featuring FightBox, Fast&FunBox, Gametoon, and 360 TuneBox or the Male pack, which includes the same offer in addition to Erox and Eroxxx channels.
“Through our agreement with Free, we are able to bring the world of entertainment to French audiences in various packaging options so they can get the channels that cater to their interests either a la carte or in a standalone pack at competitive prices,” commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International.
In addition to FightBox, the channels included in the deal are SPI’s Turkish drama series hub Dizi and FilmBox Arthouse, which brings world cinema classics. Gametoon is dedicated to gaming content created by true gaming and esports enthusiasts; Fast&FunBox offers action-packed programming dedicated to adrenaline sports; DocuBox provides highly award-winning documentary programming, 360 TuneBox presents new music every week with today’s emerging artists, and Erox and Eroxxx present adult entertainment.
About Free:
Free – the inventor of the world’s first triple-play box – is a Fixed and Mobile Ultra-Fast Broadband operator in France, standing out for its innovative, straightforward and attractive offerings. At end-March 2023 it had 21.6 million retail subscribers (14.4 million Mobile subscribers and 7.2 million Fixed-line subscribers). Free is a subsidiary of the iliad Group, which was created in France in the early 1990s and now also operates in Italy under the iliad brand and in Poland under the Play brand. And in March 2021, the iliad Group launched its BtoB business in France under the Free Pro brand.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL:
SPI International (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 62 TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI Group owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
SPI International’s streaming service FilmBox+ is expanding its footprint in Europe by integrating with Vectra, the leading Cable operator in Poland. Vectra customers can now enjoy FilmBox+ series, movies and live channels on various devices including Vectra’s latest ‘TV Smart 4K BOX’ Android TV STBs. The new service is available to all individual Vectra customers, both in packages and as an a la carte subscription service.
FilmBox+ features series, movies, thematic programming and live TV channels from SPI International and the Kino Polska Group portfolio. FilmBox+ showcases original Polish productions of Kino Polska Group such as the extraordinary dating show ‘Naked Attraction. Poland’ or ‘Not with Me’ romantic comedy series. Users can access live streaming content from the FilmBox family of channels, Kino Polska, Stopklatka and Zoom TV, among others. The streaming app itself is user-friendly with intuitive navigation, and the program selection and recommendations are constantly updated. FilmBox+ complements the extensive on-demand entertainment offerings, providing Vectra customers with even more freedom to choose what and when they want to watch.
Vectra Group subscribers can enjoy FilmBox+ service on TV Smart 4K BOX and TV Smart 4K BOX PVR set-top boxes, PCs or any other device that supports the FilmBox+ application. This means customers can access their favorite content both on Vectra network and wherever high-speed internet access is available.
''The introduction of FilmBox+ to Vectra's offerings marks a significant milestone in the evolution of our streaming service. We are thrilled to debut this innovative business model and start our partnership with the largest cable operator in Poland. FilmBox+ seamlessly complements the existing FilmBox TV channels package, serving as their natural extension. Moreover, it presents an enticing proposition for customers seeking exceptional entertainment, especially those who rely solely on the Internet for their content consumption. As a comprehensive service provider, we are delighted to offer to subscribers a convenient access to compelling content seamlessly integrated within a single bill from their TV provider,'' commented Jacek Koskowski, General Director for Sales and Distribution at Kino Polska Group.
"We are thrilled to elevate Vectra's offerings with our cutting-edge FilmBox+ service that's available through numerous operators across Central and Eastern Europe. With FilmBox+, we provide smooth integration options, making it effortless for our operator partners to offer additional curated content windows to their customers," added Haymi Behar, CMO & CDO at SPI International.
FilmBox+ subscription service will be available both as part of the Internet and TV packages, as well as an a la carte option. Both existing and new customers, when extending the contract or concluding a new contract, will be able to purchase the FilmBox+ service.
About Vectra Group:
The Vectra Group offers modern fiber-optic internet services, digital television, VOD, OTT, mobile and fixed-line telephony, as well as professional services for business. The Group is constantly developing its products, including the TV Smart service, which enables the use of a modern video platform.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL:
SPI international (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 62 TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI Group owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
SPI’s premium drama hub Dizi is expanding its reach in Western Europe through Prime Video Channels. With a strong start in Spain and the Netherlands, Dizi's carefully chosen array of high-budget, critically-praised Turkish series can now be accessed in Sweden and Germany via an additional paid monthly subscription package on Prime Video Channels. The package offers a subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) model, allowing viewers to select the shows they want to watch at 2.99 EUR per month in Germany and 34 SEK per month in Sweden.
"Expanding the reach of Dizi through Prime Video Channels is a fantastic opportunity for us to share our carefully curated selection of high-quality Turkish series with a wider audience in Western Europe," said Georgina Twiss, Managing Director of Western Europe and Africa at SPI International."We're thrilled to offer an ever-growing slate of addictive shows to viewers in Sweden and Germany, building on the strong start we've had in Spain and the Netherlands. With Dizi, the Home of Good Stories, we are committed to bringing compelling storytelling to audiences worldwide."
SPI's linear channels and SVOD packages are accessible on Prime Video Channels worldwide, in territories such as the US, UK, the Netherlands and Spain. SPI will continue to broaden its horizons via the platform.
"We're excited to expand our Prime partnership to Germany and Sweden with Dizi, which marks a new chapter in our commitment to covering the world with great entertainment. Through this partnership, we are forging a stronger bond with our customers in Western Europe, delivering on our promise to provide unparalleled access to quality content and seamless entertainment experiences across all screens," added Haymi Behar, CMO & CDO at SPI International.
About SPI INTERNATIONAL
SPI INTERNATIONAL (a CANAL+ company) is a global media company operating 62 TV channels, multiple digital products across six continents, and is a major player in content distribution and broadcasting worldwide. SPI operates multiple free-to-air and pay-TV channels in CEE, Western Europe, Asia, and Adria regions including key European markets such as Poland, Czechia, Romania, Serbia and the Netherlands. SPI Group owns a suite of legacy brands that have become household names such as FilmBox, Film1, Kino Polska, Stopklatka, Dizi along with different thematic channels and streaming services, including FilmBox+. Working with over 700 operators worldwide, SPI uses cutting-edge technology providing its subscribers with access to SPI’s linear and on-demand content. For over 25 years, SPI INTERNATIONAL has been a leading supplier of theatrical films and television programming in the international markets. SPI’s solid alliances with major license suppliers provide compelling content, with strong recognition and high demand. www.spiintl.com
