ProSiebenSat.1, Discovery Align for German Streaming Platform

ProSiebenSat.1 Media and Discovery have announced plans to combine their streaming assets in Germany to create a new platform, bringing together 7TV, maxdome and Eurosport Player and inviting other local broadcasters to participate.

The combination is set to occur in the first half of 2019, delivering live streams as well as an on-demand library, with both AVOD and SVOD tiers. The partners aim to create bespoke content for the service, which is aiming for a user base of 10 million in the first two years. Discovery and ProSiebenSat.1 are inviting RTL, ARD and ZDF to also participate in the service. The joint venture team is being led by former Google and YouTube exec Alexandar Vassilev, the CEO of 7TV. Max Conze, CEO of ProSiebenSat.1, will head the board of the joint venture. Jean Briac (JB) Perrette, president and CEO of Discovery Networks International, will represent Discovery on the board.

Conze commented, “All of us want to watch the entertainment we love whenever, wherever and on any device, so I am really excited that ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery are joining forces to create the number one German streaming platform. Our aim is 10 million users in the first two years and we are putting very significant resources and investment with urgency into this effort. I am inviting RTL and ARD/ZDF to join us so we can have one German champion. This is just the start of the journey, now we roll up our sleeves.”

David Zaslav, president and CEO of Discovery, added, “This is an exciting next step in our strategy of reaching more viewers on more screens as the global leader in real life entertainment and international sports. Together with ProSiebenSat.1, we are building a world-class streaming service to nourish superfans in one of our most important international markets while also creating a new model for the future for viewers to enjoy their favorite content.”

Vassilev noted, “All our efforts are focused on understanding what viewers want and building the best, most user-friendly product for German audiences. We have a fast-growing team with experts from around the world and can’t wait to show our platform and services in the first half 2019.”