Viacom launches movie channel in Spain, eyes int’l roll out

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) is launching movie network Paramount Channel in Spain this month and is eyeing a raft of international rollouts in the next 18 months.

The channel will launch as a free-to-air network on the country’s digital terrestrial television platform Vocento later this month.

Bob Bakish, president and chief executive, VIMN, told TBI that it was looking to expand its reach into the adult demographic.

“I spoke to Philippe Dauman and we said ‘why wouldn’t we do something around the Paramount brand’, so we engaged Brad Grey, who runs the studio,” he said. “The Spanish market loves our brand and there’s a strong appetite for film in Spain.”

Movies initially launching on the channel, which launches on March 30, will include The Godfather, American Beauty, A.I, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Fatal Attraction. The network will also include titles from other Hollywood studios and VIMN has already inked deals with Sony and Miramax.

Bakish added that it would launch the channels in a number of other territories later this year and in 2013. “You’ll see a pretty quick roll out; we’re looking at options for 2012. We’re not just talking Europe; we’re talking the world outside of North America, so Latin America and Asia as well,” he said. “In the majority of countries, Paramount will be an ad-supported pay channel.”