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Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels announced plans today to launch a portfolio of Â鶹Éç-branded thematic channels into Scandinavia.

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The channels will be available through Canal Digital, the largest pay TV operator in the Nordic region, from early December 2008.

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Â鶹Éç HD will make its European debut together with standard definition channels, Â鶹Éç Knowledge, a brand new channel for the Nordic region.Ìý

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Existing channels in the market, Â鶹Éç Food and the general entertainment channel Â鶹Éç Prime will be refreshed and rebranded as Â鶹Éç Lifestyle and Â鶹Éç Entertainment.

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The four channels will be scheduled and tailored specifically for each country in the Nordic market and will broadcast with local subtitling.

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The channels will provide a Â鶹Éç-branded home for award-winning and high-quality programming, and will build on the popularity and appetite for Â鶹Éç content in the region.

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Darren Childs, Managing Director, Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels, said: "Today's announcement is another significant step in our ambition to extend the Â鶹Éç-branded channels business around the world. Scandinavia is an important region for us and we have committed a significant investment in the territory for the future through the launch of these dedicated channel feeds."

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Dean Possenniskie, General Manager and SVP EMEA, Â鶹Éç Worldwide Channels, adds: "Our plan to roll out these channels across Scandinavia follows eight other successful channel launches in EMEA this year.Ìý

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"Scandinavia has always been a priority market for us with local audiences here clearly identifying with the Â鶹Éç brand and already enjoying the quality programming that the Â鶹Éç has to offer. I am also delighted that our partnership with Canal Digital will allow us to broadcast Â鶹Éç HD for the first time in Europe."

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He continues: "Scandinavia is one of the most advanced television markets in Europe and the fact that we have an agreement with Canal Digital to add three SD channels to their offering is testament to the quality and potential of our channels business."

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Christian Albech, CEO in Telenor Broadcast Holding said: "Canal Digital has been in the forefront of introducing HD in Nordic countries. As the leading TV-distributor in the region we are pleased to be the first to offer Â鶹Éç HD to our subscribers.

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"Â鶹Éç sets the standard for quality programming, and with the new channel Â鶹Éç HD,Ìýthis attractive content will now be offered in the best quality available."

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"Â鶹Éç and Canal Digital have a solid relationship as partners in the Nordic region. With the launch of Â鶹Éç Worldwide’s re-branded portfolio of Â鶹Éç HD, Â鶹Éç Entertainment, Â鶹Éç Lifestyle and Â鶹Éç Knowledge we continue to strengthen this relationship."

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The Â鶹Éç channels:

Â鶹Éç Entertainment showcases the very best comedy, dramaÌýand light entertainment programming from the Â鶹Éç and other UK production houses. The channel launched first to critical acclaim in Asia in October 2006, and most recently this year in Latin America and Africa. Â鶹Éç Entertainment will replace Â鶹Éç Prime.

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Â鶹Éç Lifestyle is an inimitable destination offering inspiration for home, family and life. The channel dishes up six tasty strands to entertain engage and inspire viewers.Ìý

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Favourite cookery series, once on Â鶹Éç Food, will now be shown in the Food strand. Serving up the best food and cookery shows withÌýworld-famous chefs, it promisesÌýenticing gastronomic journeys around the world.

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The other Lifestyle strands include: Home & Design, offering expert advice and design knowledge to helpÌýviewers transformÌýhouses into perfect homes; Fashion & Style, bringing honest, practical advice and fashion tips from some ofÌýthe world's top style gurus; Health,Ìýhelping to improveÌýdiet and nutrition with expert advice;ÌýParenting, providing child psychologists and advisorsÌýto help with busy or stressfulÌýfamily life; Personal Development, helping enrich mental wellbeing and achieve inspiration in all aspects of life. Â鶹Éç Lifestyle will replace Â鶹Éç Food.

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Â鶹ÉçÌýKnowledge showcases the best of the Â鶹Éç's award-winning factual and non-fiction entertainment programming, the channel provides five key strands enabling simple appointment viewing: The World delves into new culturesÌýaround the world; Science & Technology looks at new frontiers, from space to motoring;ÌýPeople explores aspects of the human body and mind; The PastÌýbrings historical events, places and peopleÌýback to life; BusinessÌýoffersÌýadviceÌýon how to stay on topÌýof today's challenging business world.

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Â鶹Éç HD offers the best international High Definition content with a line-up of multi award-winning productions from a broad range of programming genres. With unbeatable picture and sound quality, Â鶹Éç HD is the true home-cinema experience, where clarity and precision are at the forefront presenting perfected television.

The roll out of Â鶹Éç Worldwide's channel portfolio in Latin America and Africa earlier this year, in addition to recent launches in Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Korea, Australia and Poland, means that the business now has channels in every inhabited continent in the world.

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Amy Castle-Young / Louise LoffelÌý

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