SPI International/FILMBOX expand Caribbean distribution

SPI International/FILMBOX expand Caribbean distribution

   Gabriel Miramar-Garcia
   | 07 September 2016





With the recent launch of several thematic channels in Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada, SPI International is expanding its distribution footprint in the Caribbean.

trinidad and tobagoThe networks plan to sign up more cable networks, DTH and over-the-top (OTT) platforms in the region.

SPI International/FILMBOX Channels Group offer a portfolio of TV channels featuring sports, fashion, lifestyle, documentary and music programming. Some of the channels are already carried by Green Dot in Trinidad & Tobago and Grenada, with more operators getting on board, the companies said.

“Our channel offer is very diverse, so are the target groups and audiences we are serving,” said Gustavo Monaco, SPI sales director for Latin America and Caribbean. “Our two sports channels (FightBox HD and Fast’nFunBox HD) cater to martial arts and extreme sports fans, while DocuBox HD is a channel of high quality documentaries. We have a music channel and a fashion channel with HD content, an arthouse movie channel for more sophisticated viewers who crave ambitious cinema, and we also offer an interactive gaming channel, which is suitable for family entertainment.”

SPI International is also developing its first 4K/UHD channel. The commercial version of FUNBOX 4K/UHD is debuting this September in Europe and will be eventually ready for worldwide distribution, including Latin America. The demo version of the channel is already broadcast from the HOT BIRD satellite in Europe, and has been launched by Vodafone Portugal and Vodafone Spain. Moreover, the company has developed a global stand-alone online streaming app which offers access to an extensive library of native 4K content.

“We develop our channels to bring top value and best content to our viewers,” Monaco said. “In addition, we are localising our channel portfolio to Spanish. Whether it is sports or wildlife, music or adult entertainment our programming offer always comes from the world’s top content producers. We have the strategic vision and flexibility to operate on multiscreen basis which is very attractive to operators.”