“This launch represents a new and compelling platform to distribute Private content to a large incremental audience in Italy. This is the beginning of what is expected to be a proliferation of DTT launches across the EU, and Private has taken an aggressive approach to maximizing its distribution as the leading adult content provider on this exciting new platform,” Private COO Peter Cohen said.
“Newly established adult pay TV channels preparing to launch on the added channel space DTT platforms provide require a large volume of high quality content to offer consumers at start-up to be competitive,” Cohen added. “Private is one of the largest adult content producers in the world with an extensive wholly owned library to offer DTT operators, and as a result we project significant incremental contribution to operating profit from DTT over the next 18-24 months.”
DTT technology uses earthbound circuits to deliver broadcast. Subscribers connect to the network commonly through coaxial cables, and the network might also employ fiber optics or microwave transmission. DTT does not utilize satellite links in its networks.
This enables DTT networks to deliver an increased number of channels, better resolution quality than regular analog TV, and DTT broadcast can also be viewed on computers.
“To date more than five million set-top boxes have been sold in Italy and as we inevitably move closer to the analog switch off in 2012, the DTT market in Italy is set to explode,” Target Communications/Glamour Plus representative Allessandro Rossi said. “Glamour Plus uses the Nagravison Encryption System and it is broadcast over the Pangea platform.”
“We expect Glamour Plus to be the leader in adult content distribution in Italy,” Rossi said, “so its stands to reason that we would want to partner with Private, the leading name in adult entertainment.”
According to a statement from Private, market research in Europe indicates that due to increasing closure of analog TV networks in Western Europe, by 2012, DTT may become the dominant TV broadcast format. Data predicts that within five years, 44 percent of subscribers will have switched to DTT networks. The technology is expanding at an accelerated rate in Italy.
The deal represents an aggressive campaign by Private to integrate into new media markets overall.