Prosiebensat.1, Discovery partner for next-gen OTT/mobile service

The companies claim that their 50/50 JV will bring German viewers more options and better quality to enjoy their favourite content and shows from ProSiebenSat.1, Discovery and eventually other content partners. The streaming OTT service is a first step in this partnership that will also see the creation of a broader over-the-top platform, which will include other channels and content from Discovery and eventually other content partners.

At launch, expected later this year, the streaming service will bring together Discovery’s free-to-air German channels DMAX and TLC with the seven channels included in ProSiebenSat.1’s current 7TV mobile offering: ProSieben, SAT.1, kabel eins, sixx, ProSieben MAXX, SAT.1 Gold and kabel eins Doku. The partners are also pursuing strategies to deepen their sports content through the JV, including packaging the 7TV service with Discovery’s direct-to-consumer Eurosport Player app. Recently, Discovery’s Eurosport business secured premium sports rights for the German market, including Bundesliga football, beginning this August, and the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

Content will initially be delivered to consumers under the 7TV brand using its app and underlying technology platform. The 7TV app, which offers viewers an extensive library of free video library content as well as live streams of ProSiebenSat.1’s free TV channels, has already received approximately six million downloads since launching in 2014. ProSiebenSat.1’s leading media house, SevenOne Media, will take an active role in selling the JV’s digital ad inventory.

“This initiative with Discovery Communications is an important step forward which will allow us to develop top technology and over time include additional channels,” commented ProSiebenSat.1 chief digital entertainment officer Christof Wahl. “Our viewers will benefit from an enhanced, premium range of content.”

Added Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO of Discovery Networks International: “We are committed to bringing our strong brands and loved content to every person, on every platform, and working with the best partners across Europe to deliver on that promise. Germany is a priority market for us and poised for new growth fuelled by our recent investments. We are excited to be partnering with ProSiebenSat.1 and eventually other media groups to provide German fans with a robust offering of their favourite content.”