United Group (SBB, Telemach, United Media), the leading telecommunications and media platform in Southeast Europe, announced an investment of 100 million euros in the production of local content, in support of domestic talents and professionals.
The year 2017 was a turning point, with over 30% production of content being broadcast on United Group channels, which represents significant support for creative teams in the region.
Dragan Šolak, founder and chairman of the United Group Management Board, said: “In the era of global players on the media scene, such as Netflix, local audiences continue to appreciate shows and films that reflect their life and experiences. The United Group’s plan to invest €100 million in local content shows faith in a network of local talents, such as producers, actors and musicians. We look forward to seeing what the region still has to offer.”
Plans for further investment in content include contracting new scenarios, series and other local productions. The second season of the popular crime drama Shadow over the Balkans, directed by Dragan Bjelogrlic, will be filmed as part of the planned investment.
Director and screenwriter Dragan Bjelogrlic said: “With such investments, United Group shows faith in local productions, drama program and domestic talents, which is very significant. At a time when technology is changing, but also the way we consume content, when viewers can choose when and what they watch, channels such as TOP channel represent a revolution in broadcasting programs in the region.”
During the past year, United Group has produced content that includes popular drama, talent programs and children’s programs, such as Ubice mog oca, Zvezde Granda, Praktična žena, cartoon Chicks, Kefalica and others.
This original content complements the best global content that is also available to users, such as sport with leagues and major sporting events that are featured on SK channels, including Premier League, Primera, NBA and Formula 1, then movies and television series. Through its United Media channels, United Group was at the very top of the ratings of cable channels in Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2017.
