RTL, Warner Bros. in New Volume Deal

COLOGNE/BURBANK: The new multiyear volume pact between RTL Television and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITD) covers the rights to more than 200 movies and TV series, including the final two installments of the Harry Potter film franchise.

The German terrestrial broadcaster has secured the rights to a slate of first-run feature films commencing with titles released theatrically in the U.S. in 2010, along with a number of library motion pictures, as well as new television series starting with the 2010–2011 season. The movies include the two-part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, plus the Lord of the Rings, Ocean’s Eleven and others. “We are extremely happy to acquire this package from WBITD, which is also one of the most attractive deals available to the German market in recent years," said Dirk Schweitzer, the executive VP for program acquisitions and sales at RTL. "This acquisition continues to boost RTL’s level of proficiency in cinema and TV series.”

Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, the president of Warner Bros. International Television, added: “We are pleased to have entered into this new agreement which will bring all of our new movies and television series to RTL beginning next year. We look forward to working closely with RTL to make this programming a hit with German viewers for years to come.”