26.06.03
BBC
Prime expands in Central Europe with UPC Direct
BBC
Worldwide, the commercial consumer arm of the BBC, has signed an
agreement with satellite platform UPC Direct to provide BBC PRIME
in Hungary and the Czech and Slovak Republics. The agreement makes
this leading BBC entertainment channel available throughout these
markets on the sole digital satellite service currently operating
there.
BBC
Worldwide Director of Channels EMEIA, Wayne Dunsford, said, "This
new agreement with UPC Direct is an important step for BBC Worldwide
in the Central European region and we look forward to taking this
partnership to new levels. The agreement illustrates the growing
popularity of English language programming in these countries and
enables more subscribers to enjoy the best of BBC entertainment."
UPC
Direct Managing Director, Balazs Sranko, added, "BBC programmes
have an excellent reputation around the world for high quality.
By offering BBC PRIME on our UPC Direct platform we will be bringing
new value to our offering not only in metropolitan centres but also
in rural areas that rely on satellite feeds for international channels."
BBC
PRIME recently launched localisation services across Central Europe
with Hungarian, Czech and Polish subtitling introduced this year.
Speaking at recent BBC Prime launch events in Poland and Hungary,
education ministers have hailed this as an important step in promoting
foreign language learning throughout the region. UPC Direct is reinforcing
this in Hungary with the donation of 150 digital satellite receivers
to schools in rural areas so that they can access English language
programmes on BBC PRIME.
Notes
to Editors:
BBC
PRIME is broadcast to over 12 million subscribers in more than 100
countries and territories. Over 2200 hours of new programming are
transmitted each year, including Parkinson, Top of the Pops, EastEnders,
The Weakest Link and BBC LEARNING (the BBC's unique overnight educational
service). This flagship British cable channel shows the best of
the award-winning programmes from the BBC - the world's leading
programme maker. Subtitles are available in English, Hungarian,
Czech, Polish, Hebrew, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian.
UPC
Direct is the only digital Direct To Home satellite multi-channel
television service for Hungary, The Czech and the Slovak Republics
bringing the best television programs of the most popular TV channels
in high quality. No matter where they live in these countries, with
the set-top-box provided by UPC, costumers will have access to more
than 150 digital television and radio channels, including more than
a dozen local language channels. With the Electronic Program Guide
(EPG) viewers can promptly have information on the screen about
the program of any channel and may restrict the access for the children.
UPC Direct is great fun for the whole family in digital quality
from satellite, accessible anywhere for everybody.
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