Sunrise UPC forms streaming partnership with CH Media

Swiss commercial broadcast group CH Media and Liberty Global-backed service provider Sunrise UPC have forged a joint venture allieance that will see streaming service oneplus become an integral component of the TV offer of Sunrise UPC.

The Liberty Glboal-backed operator will in turn acquire a 20% share in CH Media TV AG, CH Media will will also be the main partner of SunriseUPC’s sports service MySports for free TV.

Roger Elsener, managing director of entertainment at CH Media and a member of the executive management team, will serve as CEO of the new joint venture.

Oneplus, CH Media’s streaming service will become an integral part of the Sunrise product range in the summer of 2022. The service offers a wide range of content with exclusive Swiss originals and previews of shows on commercial channel 3+ as well as domestic and international feature films.

CH Media will be the main partner of MySports and Sunrise UPC will become a 20`% shareholder of CH Media TV AG.

CH Media will be able to broadcast some National League ice hockey games on free TV. MySports has acquired the full media rights for the National League starting from the upcoming season. The TV24 channel will air regular season games and playoff games as well as regular highlight shows produced by MySports.

CH Media owns and operates domestic channel brands 3+, 4+, 5+, 6+, 7+, TV24, TV25 and S1 along with oneplus.

The pair will also collaborate in the areas of targeted advertising and mobile content.

“With its acquisition of the 3+ Group, CH Media has become the market leader among private Swiss TV channels. We are delighted about the partnership with Sunrise UPC and are certain that, together, we will be able to accelerate our growth with our new brand oneplus, especially in the streaming market,” said Axel Wüstmann, CEO of CH Media.

André Krause, CEO of Sunrise UPC, said: “Sunrise UPC is in an excellent position in the TV and entertainment market. The strategic partnership with CH Media will help us reach the next level. With oneplus, customers will benefit from a unique streaming offer. At the same time, with CH Media we are gaining a strong partner for the optimal distribution on free TV of high-quality ice hockey content produced by MySports. This will clearly set us apart from the competition in a hotly contested market.”

Eisener said: “The collaboration with Sunrise UPC will push the growth of oneplus on the way to the big screen and help it become one of the biggest and most innovative TV platforms in Switzerland. This will enable us to produce even more appealing Swiss content and significantly expand oneplus. Furthermore, we’re looking forward to the National League playoffs and the joint development of new, innovative content and marketing strategies.”