AT MIPTV in Cannes, ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz, and Mainstream Media AG, Ismaning, today announced a joint venture focusing on the distribution and marketing of pay TV channels in international markets outside German speaking areas.

In the context of this joint venture ZDF Enterprises GmbH takes a 26% stake in Mainstream Networks Holding GmbH & Co. KG, based in Ismaning. Mainstream Networks Holding GmbH & Co. KG was founded 2010 as the central unit of Mainstream Media AG for its international pay TV activities to expand its channel formats into international markets.

Mainstream Networks Holding GmbH & Co. KG is run by CEO Gottfried Zmeck, also CEO of Mainstream Media AG and Tim Werner (COO), also COO of Romance TV GmbH & Co. KG. After the entry of ZDF Enterprises (26%) the stake of Mainstream Media AG is now 69%, 5 % are held by management (Tim Werner).

In terms of content, the joint international activities are focused on the genre “romance”. The successful channel format of Romance TV in Germany with emphasis on German productions will be offered in the respective markets’ language in HD, enriched with local content, tailor-made for the target markets. The joint venture operates pay TV channels. Entering the polish TV market with Romance TV Polska in December 2010 Mainstream Networks Holding put its first international project on air. The entrance in additional markets in Africa, Asia or Europe, particularily Italy and France, is in advanced negotiation.

Also with the new partner, Mainstream Networks Holding will continue to acquire program content from all potential licensors. Equally, ZDF Enterprises will proceed with its offensive sales activities in worldwide markets – pay TV and free TV – with all potential partners.

Alexander Coridass, President and CEO of ZDF Enterprises: “We are glad to extend the long, trustful and successful cooperation with our partner Mainstream Media into a new business area. Our two companies combine competence in programs, international experience and entrepreneurial engagement. This is an ideal starting point for marketing especially productions of German origin in international pay TV markets.”

Gottfried Zmeck, CEO Mainstream Media AG and chief executive of Mainstream Networks Holding GmbH & Co. KG: “German programs are successful in international distribution. We are convinced of the international potential of such productions also in the form of well structured channel formats. Aiming at internationalization we found in ZDF Enterprises the ideal entrepreneurial as well as strategic partner.”