Viasat launches pair of new channels

The Modern Times Group is rolling out two new channels, Viasat Series and Viasat Films, and amending the line-ups of other Viasat offerings.

The new nets will launch in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and the content from the linear services will also be on the Viaplay streaming service.

In connection to the launch of Viasat Series and Viasat Film Hits, some further changes will also be made to the Viasat Film channels line-up. Viasat Film will now be known as Viasat Film Premiere. Viasat Nature’s prime time schedule will be extended and replace Viasat Crime, while the best crime series will be shown on Viasat Series and Viaplay.

Viasat Series will be programmed with new and classic TV dramas and entertainment shows. The launch line-up includes, on an exclusive basis, Empire, and it also sees Blue Bloods, Californication, House of Lies, Nurse Jackieand The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The Viasat Crime brand will be phased out, with an extended Viasat Nature offering replacing it, with crime shows shifting to Viasat Series and Viaplay.

Viasat Film Hits, which will be available in Finland as well as the aforementioned launch territories, will carry new and library blockbuster movies. The launch grid includes Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay – Part 1 as well as older titles such as Tootsie.

The existing Viasat Film channel will be rebranded Viasat Film Premiere.

“Viasat Series and Viasat Film Hits strengthen our proposition, showcasing the most talked about, the most desirable and the best loved content on the market,” said Jakob Mejlhede Andersen, MTG’s executive VP, head of programming and content development.

He added: “We have listened to our customers and hope that they will be as excited about these new channels – and the fantastic new shows on them – as we are.”

The launch of the new channels and changes to the existing offering mean an overall increase in the amount of content transmitted, MTG said.