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German broadcaster Mainstream Media AG expands its international channel business. The company holds a 25% stake as a founding partner in MCE GmbH (My Cinema Europe), based in Switzerland. Partners in this joint venture are Crystal Clear Entertainment World Wide Ltd., Hong Kong (50%) and IMMS, Switzerland (25%). The aim is to create a strong brand for the international marketing of linear and non-linear channel concepts. As a first step the pay TV channel “My Cinema Europe” launched in November 2014 in South Korea via the platform Skylife as the first broadcaster to offer European film culture on one thematic TV channel. Currently MCE reaches two million households in South Korea and Indonesia. Further distribution in Asian markets and in the Middle East is imminent. Contracts with platforms in the USA are under negotiation. Mainstream Media AG views the engagement in MCE as an addition to its activities in Mainstream Networks Holding GmbH & Co KG. This company with ZDF Enterprises as a 26% partner concentrates on the marketing of TV channels with mainly German productions. It successfully operates the pay TV channel Romance TV in Poland. Best of European Cinema “My Cinema Europe” offers the best of European Cinema, featuring more than 500 must-seemovies, tailor-made for the needs of Asian markets. It broadcasts 24 hours a day in High Definition and Dolby sound quality and is also available on demand. MCE draws on a library of both major and independent European producers containing first runs of Box Office hits and award winning films. The offer spans across all genres from drama, thriller, comedy, romance and action to Sci-Fi with titles like “The Counterfeiters” (2007), “The Great Beauty” (2013), “In Darkness” (2011) etc. The bulk of the titles originate from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Scandinavia. The programs are shown in original language with English subtitles. In addition subscribers can choose subtitles in the respective local language. Gottfried Zmeck, Chairman of the executive board of Mainstream Media AG: “With MCE we consequently push our international activities. Above all Asia is an exciting market. The joint distribution effort within MCE is a promising opportunity to build a basis there. We expect synergies for Mainstream Networks Holding and for the launch of additional TV channels of our portfolio. We are glad to join forces with seasoned distribution experts like Michael and Stefan Knobloch and David Schiller.” Stefan Knobloch, Managing Director of Crystal Clear Entertainment World Wide Ltd.: “The launch of MCE in Asia, supported by Mainstream Media AG, is a successful initiative to establish a Premium European movie channel in Asia as a refreshing new offer for this market. MCE is the first step of a far reaching cooperation with Mainstream Media to place additional newly developed channels to cater for the individual needs of these markets.” Further Channel Projects Besides “My Cinema Europe” the portfolio of the joint venture partners contains carefully positioned thematic channels for first class European programs in Asia, but also the other way round: channels with fictional and non-fictional programs of Asian origin will be available for European and other international markets outside Asia. Projects like “Asiaworld” (docutainment) and “Dragon Cinema” (movies) are fully developed and ready to launch. |
