i-concerts inks deals with Eutelsat and Youtube

In a bold move showcasing its cross-platform strategy,
Swiss-based live music channel i-concerts further expands
its international reach by finalising partnership deals with Europe's leading satellite operator Eutelsat Communications and YouTube.

The i-concerts carriage agreements with both companies are effective mid-October 2009.

In response to growing demand for its 24/7 High-Definition live music channel, i-concerts selected Eutelsat's EUROBIRD 9A video satellite covering Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. This satellite uplink will make i-concerts HD feed available to a broad range of operators and enable them to offer the channel as part of their HDTV packages. Launched in 2006, i-concerts HD channel has until now broadcast exclusively via digital cable and IPTV networks in France, Switzerland and Belgium.

DU Telecom in the Middle East will become the first international operator to feature i-concerts HD channel for its Bouquet in October, with several European operators to follow in the fall 2009.

To complement the linear television experience, i-concerts continues to offer operators a turn-key video-on-demand platform, featuring a library of over 1000 premium artist concerts and live TV shows.

In order to increase awareness of its pay TV and on-demand services, and to gather the online fan community around a shared platform, i-concerts will also launch a channel on YouTube with hundreds of free HD quality concert excerpts, as well as backstage and festival footage. The i-concerts YouTube channel will use YouTube’s Content ID technology to ensure copyright protection of its contents.

“Satellite and Internet might seem like two different worlds. To us, however, they are two complementary poles that will enable i-concerts to grow as a global brand. We are thrilled to be working with the best company in each domain,” said Natalia Tsarkova, CEO, i-concerts.

"i-concerts has hit on an innovative concept that requires the benefits of international satellite distribution to efficiently and quickly scale up its network of partners. We are delighted to welcome additional HD content to EUROBIRD 9A and to further boost the attraction of this video neighbourhood," said Olivier Milliès-Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director.

“Music is for everyone, and the Internet allows artists to take their local live performances and extend their reach to a global audience. Using YouTube to protect as well as to promote its content online, i-concerts will offer the world community a great opportunity to discover, share and interact with new talents,” said Anthony Zameczkowski, YouTube Strategic partnerships.

During MIPCOM 2009, more information on i-concerts HD is available at the stand of its international agent, THEMA TV - Booth 0611.

More information about i-concerts HD