EM.TV’s Junior block to air in Russia

MIP NEWS – EM.TV & Merchandising has signed a programme supply deal with Russian commercial broadcaster, CTC in Moscow.

From September 2001, CTC will begin airing 624 half-hours of EM.TV’s Junior fare over the next three years.

Within the last nine months, EM.TV has established Junior branded blocks in 11 countries. Junior is currently on air in Germany (Sat 1), Switzerland, Australia (Seven Network) and Finland (MTV3).

Summer launches are planned for Colombia (Canal Caracol), Poland (Polsat), Spain (Quiero TV), Turkey (TRT) and Russia.

In a separate but related deal, the Kirch Group has completed its acquisition of 49% of Speed Investment Ltd, a subsidiary of Formula 1 holding company SLEC.

The proceeds of the transaction, amounting to some DM1.3billion, has been used by EM.TV to repay bank debts which resulted from the Formula 1 deal. Kirch and EM.TV now hold 75% of SLEC.

Dr Sylvia Rothblum, member of the board in charge of programming and production, said EM.TV is still considering the possible sale of The Jim Henson Company, which it acquired last year.