A+E expands Liberty Euro deal

A+E Networks has secured an extended distribution deal with Liberty Global that will seen the launch of two new HD simulcast channels in the UK.

The long-term pan-European carriage deal covers A+E Networks’ UK channels on Liberty Global platforms in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Under the terms of the deal, all current A+E Networks UK channels remain on their existing Liberty Global platforms, which reach a total of over 15.5 million subscribers.

The channels Lifetime and H2 will be also now be available in HD in both the UK and Ireland for the first time.

Other new elements of the deal include broader distribution for factual entertainment channel History, which has been added to all basic packages in the Netherlands, Hungary and Romania, adding almost three million subscribers.

The agreement also includes new non-linear rights, giving Liberty Global customers access to A+E Networks channels and content across all platforms and connected devices.

“As a key European partner, we are pleased that Liberty Global is committed to expanding the reach of our channel portfolio across Europe. This new deal reflects the quality of our channels and content and our ability to find mutual value in providing new ways for viewers to access our high quality programming,” said Dean Possenniskie, managing director, EMEA, A+E Networks, who replaced Tom Davidson earlier this year.

Jeroen Bergman, managing director, programming, Liberty Global, said: “As the leading cable TV operator in Europe we’re able to help networks such as A+E distribute their channels across multiple markets through a single partnership. We’re pleased that we’ve been able to develop our relationship with A+E Networks to give millions of our customers even more great content and, just as importantly, to deliver it to them on their own terms – whether that’s through the main TV or on their tablet or smartphone.”