London, UK, 6th April 2009 — The Poker Channel (http://www.pokerchanneleurope.com/), Europe’s largest dedicated gaming TV network, announces two new distribution agreements in Portugal today with MEO, the fastest growing operator in the country, and ZON, the largest digital cable network operator in the country. The Poker Channel will be available 24 hours a day to MEO's basic subscribers from 6th April on channel number 77, and to ZON’s extended basic subscribers later in April, also on channel number 77.
Programming highlights for its launch into Portugal includes the Cash Game Master Class, the first ever 'how to' series for cash game poker; the Pokerheaven European Cash Game, a high stakes cash game featuring celebrated pros including World Series of Poker winner, Peter Eastgate; and action from the two most high-profile tournaments in the world, the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.
The launch follows a month after the Poker Channel expanded into Eastern Europe, launching in Poland with the Vectra Group. The Poker Channel is now available on major cable and satellite platforms in 18 European markets.
Chris White, Commercial Director at The Poker Channel, said: "We're delighted to be launching in Portugal with such strong partners. It’s an exciting time for poker in Portugal – home to some of the world’s best pros, including João Barbosa, André Santos and Ricardo Sousa, and we’re proud to deliver top gaming entertainment to new audiences.”
The Channel attracts close to one million unique viewers per month across Europe, with 65% of its viewers playing poker online every day.
Visit www.pokerchanneleurope.com/portugal for details about the Poker Channel in Portuguese.
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The Poker Channel (www.pokerchanneleurope.com):
The Poker Channel is Europe's largest dedicated gaming TV network and broadcasts to more than 16 million cable homes in 18 countries. Gaming fans all over the world can also visit www.pokerchanneleurope.com for exclusive promotions, features, videos and news — edited by a top team of international journalists and players.
The Poker Channel launched in 2005 and now owns Europe's largest library of poker programming with more than 600 hours of premium content including the World Series of Poker and other major tournaments, instructional shows, news, documentaries and top player profiles. The Channel attracts close to 1 million unique TV viewers per month, with 65% of TV viewers playing online every day.
Watch the Poker Channel:
• In the UK and Ireland on Sky Channel 166 from 9.30pm to 4am
• In France on Noos, Numericable, Free (Channels 48, 91 and 145) and Orange
• In Germany on Kabel Deutschland, KBW, Unity Media, NetCologne, NetMartens
• In Belgium on BeTV and Numericable (Channel 187)
• In Luxembourg on Numericable (Channel 187)
• In Netherlands on UPC Digital (Channel 127) and KPN (Channel 316)
• In Finland, on Welho (Channel 302) and Canal Digital (Channel 94)
• In Norway, Sweden and Denmark on Canal Digital (Channel 94)
• In Iceland on Skjarinn
• In Spain on Imagenio (Channel 98)
• In Malta on MelitaCable (Channel 209)
• In Switzerland on Zattoo
• In Greece on OnTelecom
• In Poland on Vectra
• In Portugal on MEO (Channel 77) and ZON (Channel 77)
MEO www.meo.pt
Meo, the integrated offer of voice, internet and pay-TV services, represents a key lever of PT’s strategy to strengthen and differentiate its value proposition to residential customers. Meo is based on a multiplatform concept that is intended to provide the same TV experience, regardless of the customer platform or interface. Meo provides access to a comprehensive content offering, with more than 110 TV channels; over 2000 real video-on-demand titles; Pause Live TV; a recording capacity of 300 hours and HD content.
ZON Multimedia (www.zon.pt)
ZON Multimedia has over 1.5 million subscribers, reaching more than 2.8 million homes in Portugal. It has the largest digital cable network in the country (100% of its network operates on a 750Mhz frequency), a digital satellite platform and 213 movie theatres to meet all telecommunication and entertainment needs.
ZON Multimedia is listed on the main Portuguese stock index, PSI-20 index and is the leader of the Pay TV market in Portugal. It is also leader of the cinema market and is the second largest internet provider.
Sarah Jones
GameOn Marketing Limited
+44 (0) 7899 087 923
www.GameOn-Marketing.com