Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland & NBCU Strengthen Ties

COLOGNE: Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland has expanded its relationship with NBCUniversal International Distribution, securing the RTL stations the exclusive free-TV rights to upcoming movies and first-run rights to forthcoming series, as well as library titles.

Classic and new series are a part of the pact. This includes library titles such as Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Monk, among others. Starting with the 2018-19 season, viewers will have access to first-run series produced by NBCUniversal.

Through the agreement beginning in 2018, viewers can enjoy upcoming installments in the Fast & Furious franchise, in addition to the latest films in Universal Pictures’ Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and Jurassic franchise, as well as upcoming animated feature films from Illumination Entertainment. The deal also spans a collection of library theatrical titles.

“NBCUniversal and Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland have been very successful partners for many years now. This existing, close and trustworthy partnership allowed NBCUniversal and Mediengruppe RTL to close a further and even expanded deal,” said Joerg Graf, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s executive VP of production and acquisition. “We’re proud of a deal which perfectly reflects the current and future standards of content and its distribution through our linear and non-linear platforms.”

“This deal is the latest exciting chapter in a highly valued relationship with Mediengruppe RTL that is nearing almost four successful decades of partnership,” said Belinda Menendez, the president of NBCUniversal International Distribution & Networks. “We are delighted that Mediengruppe RTL’s audiences can anticipate premieres of NBCU’s top-quality feature film slate and TV series through our multiyear renewed relationship.”