- Filmnet
Filmnet was the name used for several premium television channels in Europe during the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. It was launched in 1985, broadcasting with a focus on Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Filmnet channels were later launched in Poland and Greece. It had several owners through the years. In 1996 the channels were owned by the South-African company
Multichoice who decided to sell Filmnet to the FrenchCanal+ Group . The deal didn't include the Greek channels, who continued using the FilmNet name until 2008.Although the brand no longer exists, most of it subsidiaries in the different countries live on in some way:
*Scandinavia: The channels were renamed Canal+ in november 1997. Canal+ sold the company toNordic Capital andBaker Capital in 2003 and the company was renamedC More Entertainment (although still using the Canal+ name in marketing). They went on to sell to theSBS Broadcasting Group in 2005, who in turn were merged withProSiebenSat.1 Media in 2007. In 2008, a deal was entered to sell the company to the Swedish TV4 Group.
*Netherlands: Filmnet was rebranded as Canal+ in 2003. Canal+ sold the channel later on. In 2005, the channels were bought byLiberty Global Europe who in February 2006 renamed themSport1 andFilm1 .
*Flanders: The channels where renamed Canal+ in 1997. In 2004, they were sold toTelenet and are nowadays known as Prime.
*Poland: Filmnet was merged into the existing Canal+ channel in February 1997. It continues to exist to this day, under the nameCanal+ Poland .
*Greece: Multichoice finally sold their Greek pay TV business toForthnet in April 2008. The Filmnet brand disappeared on June 1, 2008, when the Greek channels were renamedNova Cinema .The companies behind Filmnet also operated the sports channel
Supersport in several of the markets above. SuperSport still exist in South Africa.Filmnet (Australia) is a company providing news information and a messageboard for the Australian film industry. It is unrelated to the European Filmnet. http://filmnet.org.au
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