In this monthly feature, S&P Global Market Intelligence provides a roundup of news related to over-the-top, video-on-demand and other online video initiatives in different Eastern European markets.
TOP NEWS
* Telewizja Polska SA extended its existing cooperation agreement with the British Broadcasting Corp.'s BBC Worldwide Ltd., Broadband TV News reported June 23. The deal will enable the two companies to exchange content, as well as co-produce TV series and documentary films focusing on Polish issues. TVP also expressed an interest to adapt several shows from BBC Worldwide's catalog and secure the latter's support in training staff on program production.
Content and carriage deals
* Smart TV solutions provider Foxxum GmbH struck a partnership with Russian online streaming service ivi.ru, according to a July 19 news release. Under the deal, Foxxum added the ivi.ru app to its Smart TV solution, a move that is expected to help both companies expand their Smart TV business in all Russian-speaking countries.
* China Broadcasting Media signed a content-sharing deal with Hungary's Cineworks Studio at the National Association of Television Program Executives in Budapest, World Screen reported June 29. The partnership includes working on the dubbing of Chinese films and TV shows, developing CBM's business in Hungary and Eastern Europe, and solidifying film and TV content sharing between the two countries.
Service launches
* RTL Group has launched Croatia World, a new channel aimed at Croatians living abroad. Croatia World will feature news and entertainment content, such as shows and series from RTL Croatia, the company announced July 12. Croatia World will be initially available via Euro World Network in North America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand; A1 Telekom Austria, owned by América Móvil SAB de CV's Telekom Austria Group, in Austria; OTT platform Flip TV in Australia; the SBB basic cable digital package in Serbia; and the SBB NetTV Plus worldwide OTT platform.
* Latvia's Lattelecom Group launched Shortcut, a new multiscreen OTT platform, Digital TV Europe reported July 8. Shortcut will include series, films, live TV channels and live events, with international content available with Russian and Latvian subtitles.
* MegaFon added eight sports channels to its over-the-top service MegaFon TV, Telecompaper reported July 5. Four of the channels are included in the All Football HD package, one in the Base offer and three under the Sport HD package.
* Russian online cinema Megogo rolled out a new 3D HD channel for Smart TV users in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, Telecompaper reported July 4. Audiences will be able to watch all content from the channel in 3D quality.
More news
* Vodafone Group Plc unit Vodafone România is trialing a 4G TV app that allows users to watch almost 20 local and international TV channels, Broadband TV News reported July 15, citing ZF. The service also offers access to on-demand services and aggregates content from Time Warner Inc.'s HBO and music streaming platform Zonga.
* Netflix Inc. will begin charging its Polish subscribers under the local currency, Broadband TV News reported July 14, citing Wirtualne Media. As such, the monthly subscription fees for Netflix's basic, standard and premium packages will be 34 Polish zlotys, 43 zlotys and 52 zlotys, respectively.
* Multimedia Polska SA is trialing Multimedia Go, a new TV Everywhere service that combines up to 117 channels and VOD content, Telecompaper reported July 12. Planned for rollout to all subscribers by the end of 2016, the service also features catch-up and recording functions.
* Poland's P4, operating under the Play brand, is consumer testing its IPTV service Play TV, available to the operator's postpaid subscribers, Telecompaper reported June 28. Play TV features cloud recording and time shifting, with channels that can be viewed on smartphones, tablets or laptops.
* ITV Plc-owned Twofour Group is planning to create a production hub in Slovenia, catering to remakes within eastern Europe, TBI Vision reported June 27. The expansion plan follows a deal with Antenna Group's Planet TV, for local distribution rights to ski-jumping format "The Jump."
* TVN SA is planning to produce more exclusive content for its on-demand platform Player.pl, Broadband TV News reported June 23, citing Wirtualne Media. Christian Anting, managing director of digital products and e-commerce, said that TVN has no plans to share its content with other platforms. Anting added that Player.pl will be funded by both advertising and subscriber fees on a 50:50 ratio. Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. owns TVN.