SPI brings classic cinema to Freeview
MARCH 26, 2024 13.24 EUROPE/LONDON BY JULIAN CLOVER

SPI International has launched its FAST channel Filmstream on the Freeview platform in the UK.

Available on channel 269, Filmstream is offering a collection of films that have won some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the Oscars; Palme d’Or in Cannes; Golden Lion in Venice, and the Golden Bear in Berlinale.

SPI is backed by Canal+ Group.

Titles include A Farewell to Arms (1932), a poignant adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s novel with Gary Cooper; Charade (1963), featuring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in a thrilling pursuit in Paris, and the Academy Award-winning Cyrano de Bergerac”(1950), showcasing Jose Ferrer’s charismatic portrayal of the swordsman-poet aiding a lover’s quest.

“We are excited to introduce Filmstream to Freeview users, providing an unparalleled entertainment experience to 15 million households with our curated selection of films. This partnership, facilitated by Global Distribution Services with Axiom managing advertising sales, marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand our global footprint in the FAST realm and provide premium, exclusive content across a variety of platforms,” commented Georgina Twiss, MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International.

After ROK in 2022, Filmstream is the second channel from Canal+ Group to be launched on Freeview in the UK.