U, Quiero join to start Euro film channel

Studio Universal to be family-oriented digital net

By ELIZABETH GUIDER

Universal Studios Networks unveiled plans Monday to launch another movie channel in Europe. The latest addition to Universal's foreign spinoffs is a joint venture with Spain's Quiero Television and will be called Studio Universal.

The channel will be the first to be part of the Quiero digital terrestrial lineup in Spain.

Studio Universal will provide a broad spectrum of family-friendly films across all genres -- from classics to Hollywood blockbusters to independent productions. Movies will come mainly from Universal's own vaults but will also include American, European and Spanish titles.

Among the early offerings are "Apollo 13," "The Birds" "Twister," "Waterworld" and "True Lies."

Universal also owns another channel in Spain called Calle 13 El Canal de Suspense Y Accio, which launched last September. It, too, will be carried on Quiero's digital terrestrial platform extending the distribution of the channel in Spain.

Universal has similar channels in Italy, Germany and Latin America.

"Spain is rapidly becoming one of Universal Studio Networks success stories with two channels launched within nine months," Tony Garland, president of Universal Studios Networks, said.

Quiero's main shareholders are Retevision, MediaPark and Carlton Communications.