Sundance to launch in Portugal

The Sundance Channel is to launch in Portugal after AMC/Sundance Channel Global, AMC Networks’ international division, struck a carriage deal with pay TV operator Zon Multimédia. The channel, which will be launched in high definition and versioned in Portuguese, will launch later this year.

This comes as the company extends distribution of the movie channel in Belgium, Poland, France and Taiwan. It has struck deals with Belgium’s Belgacom TV, Poland’s SGT and France’s Virgin.

“These new distribution partnerships reflect the strong appetite for high quality, globally renowned entertainment from audiences and content distributors alike,” said Bruce Tuchman, president of AMC/Sundance Channel Global.

Robert Redford, founder of Sundance Channel, said: “It has long been a hope of mine that audiences internationally could experience the creativity and great filmmaking that comes out of Sundance, so I am happy to see the expansion of Sundance Channel Global.   Our programming is designed to be inspiring and broaden people’s perspectives and I’m looking forward to the channel’s continued international growth over the coming year.”

These deals were announced as the annual Sundance Film Festival, which takes place in Park City, is currently on.