FOX fans out in Finland with Suomi TV acquisition

In the latest part of its Nordic expansion, Fox International Channels (FIC) has acquired Finnish free to air (FTA) TV Channel, Suomi TV. The Nordic division of the 20th Century Fox Studios has expanded its operations rapidly over the last year launching its first entertainment channel in Norway, Fox Crime, and consolidating the Nordic distribution of its factual channels: National Geographic Channel, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Wild HD. Suomi TV will be integrated within this portfolio taking advantage of FIC’s expertise as a leading TV content provider and producer. Initially, Suomi TV will offer both fiction and factual entertainment including marquee series from National Geographic, such as Mega Factories, Shark Men, Inside, Banged Up Abroad and Jurassic CSI. These series will complement the existing Suomi TV content, and additional new programming will be introduced in the months ahead, gradually expanding the number of daily broadcast hours. “We are delighted to start 2012 by making Suomi TV part of the FIC Nordic family. This is a important step for FIC in the Nordic region and makes FIC’s commitment to our market clear. Our investment in Suomi TV will deliver a great channel for Finnish viewers. A channel that will reflect local Finnish interests and culture. Step by step, we will introduce more high quality content and increase broadcasting hours.” added  Ase Ytreland, Managing Director of Fox International Channels for Nordic & Baltic Regions. Added Miikka Muurinen, Chief Operating Officer Suomi TV:“We are so pleased that Suomi TV will be able to regain its vitality and local relevance with FIC’s involvement in the channel. They have tremendous TV experience and a proven track record that we now can benefit from. We are all very excited about this opportunity.”