ProSiebenSat.1 & Discovery launch OTT service

ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery Communications have launched a jointly-owned premium entertainment service in Germany.

The streaming initiative brings together nine terrestrial TV channels in Germany including ProSieben, SAT.1, Kabel Eins, Sixx, ProSieben Maxx, SAT.1 Gold and Kabel Eins Doku, together with Discovery’s free to air channels DMAX and TLC.

A range of original and premium TV shows will be available free of charge, live and through catch up. The AVOD service is available on the existing ProSiebenSat.1 7TV brand digital platform and app.

7TV is also planning to launch a Eurosport Zone where viewers will be able to watch selected sports highlights and clips.

A search is currently under way for a CEO to run the streaming service and an announcement will be made in the near future.

Michael Lang (pictured), president of international development and digital at Discovery, said: “Today marks the launch of a dynamic and ambitious new streaming service with ProSiebenSat.1, bringing together premium content on the 7TV service across multiple screens. This is an exciting new way for millions of German TV fans to watch their favourite Discovery shows and is just the beginning of a dynamic new partnership.

“This announcement is just the start as we work to add more channels and content partners, greater functionality, and enhanced technological capabilities and commercial opportunities in the months ahead.”

Christian Dankl, CEO of AdVOD ProSiebenSat.1 Media, said: “This first phase of our streaming joint venture will see premium content from Discovery added for all 7TV fans. A new joint technology development for a pioneering streaming service is underway and we look forward to an exciting 2018, when we enter the next phase.”

Both ProSieben and Discovery have been pushing into OTT content delivery in a move to better distribute their channel and programming brands.