Jetix heads to Portugal in ’05

January 1, 2005 by Lianne Stewart

Not content to stop at beaming into 38 million homes across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Jetix Europe is gearing up to expand its footprint into one of the only major European territories not currently running its service. A move into Portugal by this time next year will add an additional four million households to an already formidable penetration portfolio, as well as realizing one of Paul Taylor’s first goals as Jetix Europe CEO.

Taylor moved up from group managing director and executive VP of Fox Kids Europe to take the reins from outgoing CEO Bruce Steinberg in July. On the heels of Taylor’s move into the corner office, Jetix announced that its 2004 revenues were up 12% over the previous year, citing a stronger advertising market and the growth of the global pay-TV business as key factors behind the bump.

At press time, the company was still determining whether the strategic plan for Portugal will involve a full-on pay-TV channel or a programming block. Jetix currently works with Buena Vista International Television to distribute its programming piecemeal to terrestrial Portugese broadcasters.