CNN International to launch via Cellcom in Israel

Turner International-owned news network, CNN International, is launching in HD on Israeli operator Cellcom TV’s OTT service from this month.

Announcing the deal, CNNI said the distribution deal with Cellcom, one of the newest and fastest growing platforms in Israel, reflects the “growing appetite for high quality international news content.”

“Following the successful launch of SVOD services with Cartoon Network and Adult Swim with Cellcom TV last July, this is a new step to expand Turner’s presence in Israel,” said Turner International business and distribution director, Guillaume Coffin.

Cellcom TV’s vice-president of TV and content, Yaniv Gruenwald, said: “We are proud to launch CNNI and to bring this leading global news channel to television consumers in Israel in HD format for the first time.”

Cellcom TV’s Israeli OTT television service launched in 2014 in a bid to provide a cost-effective alternative to the local incumbent satellite and cable TV operators. As of the end of Q2 the operator claimed some 40,000 customers and a market share of 2.5%.