ProSiebenSat.1 nabs ‘important’ Disney content deal

ProSiebenSat.1 and The Walt Disney Company have agreed a significant multi-year agreement that gives the former new US series and movies for its free, pay and SVOD channels.

The deal is a coup for German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1, with Disney’s output previously going out in the territory through former local partner RTL.

The master-licence agreement includes movies from Disney and subsidiaries Pixar, Marvel and Lucasfilm, and series from ABC Studios for free TV and, significantly, selected pay TV rights and SVOD rights for on-demand platform Maxdome.

ProSiebenSat.1 confirmed Captain America: Civil War, a new The Jungle Book reboot and Finding Nemo sequel Finding Dory, plus the new Star Wars movies would air on its channels; with new season ABC Studios shows Quantico (pictured), Code Black and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders also included.

ProSiebenSat.1 also has access to Disney back catalogue titles such as Frozen and Monsters, Inc.

“Our viewers will enjoy selected series that can only be seen with us – and not just on free TV, but across all platforms,” said Rüdiger Böss, ProSiebenSat.1 Media’s executive VP of group programming acquisitions. “The deal with one of the world’s largest media corporation is an important strategic step and strengthens our competitive position for the long term.”

Disney and ProSiebenSat.1 have had various programming deals over the years, though none to this extent or level of exclusivity. The German firm also has agreements in place with Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, CBS Studios International, Paramount Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Studiocanal and Constantin Film.