Paramount spreads into Hungary, Russia

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has struck deals with cable operators to bring localised versions of Paramount Channel to Hungary and Russia.

The 24-hour pay TV film network launched in Hungary last week, following distribution agreements with local partners including Magyar Telekom, and is available in Russia from today.

Rostelecom, which VIMN says operates Russia’s largest cable TV network, now carries a Russian-language version of Paramount Channel as well as a HD version.

It is VIMN’s fourth fully localised network in Russia, sitting alongside Nickelodeon, Paramount Comedy and MTV, which relaunched in October last year.

Paramount Channel, which offers viewers films from the library of Viacom-owned Paramount Pictures, launched in Spain in 2012 and in France last year.

In Hungary, the channel’s line-up will also include contemporary movies from other US film studios alongside European features from the past few decades, all dubbed into Hungarian.

The network is VIMN’s seventh fully localised channel, joining Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Comedy Central, Comedy Central Extra, MTV and VIVA Hungary.