SPI International partners with Ziggo to launch FilmBox in the Netherlands

SPI/FilmBox confirmed the launch of FilmBox in the Netherlands through its collaboration with Ziggo, the largest cable operator in the country, starting 30th June, 2022.“Overwhelming feedback from Dutch TV viewers shows how frustrating it is to interrupt a film several times for a commercial break," Jeroen Bergman, Managing Director Film1 and FilmBox Netherlands said. "It was high time to do something about it. FilmBox is already a huge success on all the platforms that have been broadcasting it since last year and has proven its appeal abroad for many years. The channel is a wonderful addition to our premium proposition Film1, and we are proud of the trust that Ziggo places in us."

The distribution deal will allow all TV customers of Ziggo to have unlimited access to FilmBox at channel 100 for a curated selection of Hollywood films, favorite classics and the popular Narcos series. In total, 3.1 million Ziggo viewers will be able to enjoy FilmBox’s stress-free, lean-back entertainment experience that has no disruptive commercial breaks during the movies. “We are very pleased to add FilmBox to our extensive tv offering. FilmBox fits perfectly in our aim to provide customers access to their favorite content with the best quality and viewing experience," Raymond van der Vliet, Director Programming & Content at VodafoneZiggo said. "The viewing of ad break-free programs and the high-quality films and series of FilmBox helps our customers get a great tv-experience.”

FilmBox was launched in the Netherlands last May and is currently offered in the basic packages of Canal Digitaal, DELTA, Caiway, Online.nl, Kabelnoord, Plinq, SKP, Trined and Breedband Helmond. With the addition of FilmBox to Ziggo, the channel will be available in over three million Dutch households. The weekly programming grid for FilmBox features a Movie of the Week on Monday evenings which spans prize-winning arthouse movies, international blockbusters and local productions starring Dutch actors. On Wednesday afternoons and weekend mornings, the channel airs movies for children and young adults. In addition, on Friday evenings, FilmBox broadcasts three horror movies in succession.

SPI is active in the Netherlands with multiple brands including Film1, FilmBox, FilmBox Arthouse and Turkish series channel Dizi (via Amazon Prime), Docustream and Filmstream (via Samsung TV Plus) and a range of films at Pathé Thuis. Film1 has tripled the number of subscribers in recent years and FilmBox is available via the majority of Dutch operators.