Television
March 7, 2001
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution Signs Free TV Deal With Greece’s Star Channel
(March 7, 2001 - Burbank, CA) - Warner Bros. International Television Distribution has signed a multi-year free television deal with Greece’s Star Channel, it was announced today by Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television, and Costas A. Giannikos, President, Star Channel.
The deal, which was negotiated by Mickie Steinmann, WBITD’s Sales Director for Scandinavia, Benelux, Finland, Greece and Cyprus, and Dimitris Koliodimos, Program Director, Star Channel and Alexandra Theodoris, International Acquisitions, Star Channel, includes the free television broadcast rights to feature films from Warner Bros., television series (including “ER,” “The Sopranos,” “The West Wing” and “The Fugitive”), animated series (including a branded “Warner Hour,” comprised of classic and contemporary animation), TV movies, mini-series and documentary programming.
“I am very pleased that we are extending our relationship with Star Channel for the free TV rights to our product,” said Schlesinger. “Our product has thrived on their network for many years and I am pleased that they will have more of our programming through this deal.”
“Star Channel is proud to be Warner Bros.’ partner in Greece. We look forward to our future, since it will be a mutually dynamic and productive venture,” said Giannikos.
Warner Bros. International Television Distribution is one of the world’s largest distributors of programming, licensing more than 39,000 hours of television programming and movies dubbed or subtitled in more than 40 languages to broadcasters in more than 175 countries. WBITD handles distribution to the all international television media, including broadcast, pay cable, basic cable, satellite, pay-per-view, video-on-demand and digital platforms.
Star Channel is one of Greece’s major privately owned TV stations. While its programming is structured primarily around locally produced comedy and drama series as well as foreign series and feature films of high production value, the backbone of the station’s profile is foreign programming giving it an average share of 14-15%.# # #