Mezzo extends Asian roll out

Mezzo Live HD, the jazz and performing arts channel from French media group Lagardère, is expanding its operations in Asia with launches in Hong Kong, Mongolia and the Philippines.

The channel, which carries classical and jazz concerts from across the world, will be accessible to subscribers on TVB Network Vision, Skytel and DDish in the three territories.

Hong Kong-based distributor Lightning International represents the channel in the region and the company’s CEO James Ross said he expects to announce another raft of carriage agreements shortly.

Ross set up Lightning in 2011 after launching Bloomberg TV in Asia in the 1990s. He later ran UK broadcaster ITV’s programme and format distribution business and the ITV Choice channel in Asia.

Mezzo Live HD is a joint venture between Lagardère (60%) and France Télévisions (40%) and currently airs in 44 countries and is available to 21 million households.