Next-gen mobile OTT from ProSiebenSat.1, Discovery
May 2, 2017
German media company ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery Communications are to expand Germany’s mobile video and OTT marketplace through an enhanced streaming joint venture partnership for their brands in Germany. They say the 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.
At launch, the streaming service will bring together 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, along with Discovery’s free-to-air German channels DMAX and TLC. The enhanced streaming service will initially be delivered to consumers under the 7TV brand using its app and underlying technology platform, and then further technology enhancements are planned by the partners to ensure the most robust viewing experience.
ProSiebenSat.1’s leading media house, SevenOne Media, will take an active role in selling the JV’s digital ad inventory. ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery anticipate the enhanced streaming service will debut later this year, pending customary reviews and closing conditions.
The streaming OTT service is a first step in this partnership that will also see the creation of a broader OTT platform, which will include other channels and content from Discovery and eventually other content partners. ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery welcome discussions with other media companies to include their content on the platform and to join the venture.
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 August 2017, and the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
“This initiative with Discovery Communications is an important step forward which will allow us to develop top technology and over time include additional channels,” explained Christof Wahl, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer of ProSiebenSat.1. “Our viewers will benefit from an enhanced, premium range of content.”
“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,” confirmed Jean-Briac Perrette, President and CEO of Discovery Networks International. “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.”
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. Both partners are expected to provide the joint venture platform with significant marketing and promotion, in addition to the JV’s own marketing efforts to drive audience. A search process for a chief executive to lead the joint venture is currently underway.