LONDON — Manwin-operated Playboy Plus has decided to outsource its primary European broadcast uplinking functions to Encompass Digital Media Inc.
Playboy TV Europe plans to utilize Encompass' Los Angeles-based origination facilities at Andrita Studios, where Playboy Plus is a tenant, and put up for sale its West London facility in Hayes, near Heathrow airport.
Playboy TV Europe, which will roll out new video-on-demand services and channels later this year, will keep offices in London to "continue to spearhead growth in Europe."
Company officials said that the move will occur later this year and “will allow Playboy Plus to obtain strategic worldwide distribution benefits from a global partnership.”
Jeremy Yates, managing director of Playboy TV Europe, said the move allows the broadcaster to focus on core strengths.
“All our focus can now be on managing our TV channels in Europe and maintaining our lead position in the market," Yates said. "We will be able to further improve our channels and VOD and fully leverage our libraries which allow us to offer the best erotic content and highest performing adult content.
"We have also taken the opportunity to consolidate a few of our networks on Sky, where customers now receive greatly added value from a Playboy Plus-delivered 'TV Everywhere' experience.”
Playboy TV Europe operates Playboy TV, Private Spice, with localized versions in many territories. Playboy TV Europe also offers 16 other premium services, including The Adult Channel and multiple VOD services on platform partners and distributors throughout Europe.
The Andrita Studios, at 3030 Andrita St. in Los Angeles, is a large, 109,000-square-foot studio that currently is home to Playboy Plus’ broadcast activities and other productions helmed by Encompass.
Andrita's facilities include digital media center; climate-controlled tape vaults; three production stages, edit and audio suites and 63,000 square feet of office space. Built in 1925, the former industrial and office complex was converted into a plug-and-play, high-definition media facility in 2002.
Encompass provides broadcasters, cable networks, corporations and government entities with customized solutions for the management and distribution of content. The company owns and operates eight broadcast facilities throughout the U.S., Latin America, the U.K. and Asia.
Encompass' network origination services include advanced transmission for more than 800 channels in HD, SD and 3D, delivering content to satellite and cable providers worldwide via satellite, fiber and IP.
