- New content brand Epic Drama will stage over 600 hours of the very best drama series curated from around the world and featuring some of the biggest names in TV
- It will launch in key markets including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine on 14 December
- Over 70% of content is exclusive to the market; almost 80% of content includes SVOD rights, and most primetime content produced within the last three years

LONDON, 12 October 2017 – Viasat World, a leading international media company, today announces the launch of a bold new content brand, Epic Drama, in its key markets and territories across Central and Eastern Europe. Dedicated to celebrating the greatest current drama series from around the globe, Epic Drama will join Viasat World’s comprehensive channel and SVOD portfolio, which includes 27 Pay TV channels in 50+ markets, as well as a broad non-linear offering in many of its territories. Launching on 14 December, Epic Drama will offer over 600 hours of big budget, HD content across a diverse mix of dramatic genres. Up to 80% of the content includes SVOD rights, supporting the company’s mission to provide audiences with the world’s best content across multiple platforms and devices.

Driven by research which identified a gap in the market, the launch of Epic Drama is indicative of independent broadcaster Viasat World’s agility to respond to what viewers and partners are looking for, alongside its ambition to grow its reach and audience. Born out of the company’s proven track record in showcasing drama, the channel builds on Viasat History’s already successful Epic Drama block offering. The launch is underpinned by significant investment in the best of content and its associated rights, and will be backed by a targeted, strategic marketing campaign at launch and beyond.

Irina Gofman, CEO & President of Viasat World comments, “We are delighted to introduce Epic Drama, a bold and lavish new channel entirely dedicated to big scale and expensive drama productions with compelling storytelling at its heart. Our unique status as an independent broadcaster allows us to listen to our affiliate partners and our viewers, understand what they are looking for and respond quickly. We are using our pedigree in drama to address a gap in the market for a 24/7 channel which curates the best in today’s drama from around the world, with the content also available on demand.”

Epic Drama will initially be available in Viasat World’s key markets and territories, including; Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine via a pan-regional feed, with further roll outs planned for 2018.
Drama fans will have access to acclaimed and compelling series across a mix of genres, including crime and mystery, classic literary, politics and power, period, war, action adventure, real history and fantasy. The slate draws on the best and most indulgent drama series from far and wide, including titles produced in the UK, US, Spain, France, Italy, Australia and Canada.

Epic Drama brings to life inspirational and emotive stories, through heroic performances of passion and betrayal, love and loss. With almost all content airing in primetime produced within the last three years, and 70% exclusive to each market, audiences can indulge on the greatest and most current drama series 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Viasat World is one of the biggest independent content aggregators in Europe, and we are always looking to make the very best content available to audiences via our comprehensive channel and SVOD portfolio. Our strategy is to build an extensive collection through acquisitions, early pre-buys and more recently co-productions – enabling us to secure the pipeline of relevant, high quality, programming for all our channel brands in the future. We are already working with some of the best content providers and distributors around the world. We are poised to continue those discussions as we look to expand our content library and complete our debut programming slate whilst building on our line-up for next year. We couldn’t be more excited to introduce the world to ‘the new home of Epic Drama’; the go to destination for audiences seeking the must-see drama series of the moment.” concludes Irina Gofman.