MONTREAL – Stingray Digital Group is boosting its classical music content with the acquisition of Classica, an international pay TV channel offering concerts, operas and ballets.
Distributed through Unitel GmbH, Classica is currently available to approximately 20 million subscribers through partnerships in 40 countries across four continents, according to Tuesday’s announcement.
Stingray said the transaction, estimated at $15 million, makes it world-leading provider of classical music content on television due to Classica’s exclusive catalogue of more than 1,500 titles and 2,000 hours of premium content produced and owned by Unitel. Unitel will continue to will continue to produce and deliver programming for Classica.
“The acquisition of Classica marks the logical next step in our product development strategy, and demonstrates our intent and ability to act as an industry consolidator,” said Stingray president, CEO, and co-founder Eric Boyko, in the new release. “With this acquisition, Stingray becomes the undisputed leading provider of classical music programming worldwide. With an estimated 10 to 15% of the population in major markets attending at least one classical music concert each year, Stingray is poised to respond to demand from discerning TV viewers everywhere. This transaction will accelerate our growth and strengthen our relationship with cutting-edge providers that are always on the lookout for new and exciting content.”
