Sky & Discovery Strike Expanded Pact

Sky and Discovery have signed a new long-term, wide-ranging partnership across the U.K., Ireland, Germany and Austria, including carriage of Discovery’s direct-to-consumer streaming services for the first time.

The deal includes linear channel distribution, VOD, D2C products and extension of their advertising relationship. For the first time, the multiyear partnership also covers Discovery’s nonlinear brands in the U.K. and Ireland. Sky will be a distribution partner for Discovery’s existing direct-to-consumer streaming services such as MotorTrend and new products from the future pipeline of D2C offerings.

Discovery’s portfolio of channels, including the flagship Discovery Channel, will continue to be available across the Sky platforms in the U.K., and on the Sky Deutschland platforms in Germany and Austria. The Discovery Channel will continue to be available on the NOW TV platform in the U.K. and Sky Ticket in Germany.

Stephen van Rooyen, CEO for the U.K. and Europe at Sky said: “We’re pleased to have reached a new agreement with Discovery. Our customers across the U.K., Ireland, Germany and Austria can continue to enjoy their content, including their world-class factual programming.

“Discovery can take you from the depths of the ocean out to deepest space, all from the comfort of your living room. We bring together the best content from partners like Discovery, HBO and Showtime, add it to the best live sport in Europe, our award-winning Sky Originals and apps we love like Netflix, and put it all in one place on the world’s best platform, Sky Q.”

Kasia Kieli, president and managing director for Discovery EMEA, said: “Sky and Discovery have been working together for over 30 years to bring audiences the best in real-life entertainment. We are very pleased that our strategic relationship continues to grow, and our new multi-dimensional agreement means Sky customers can continue to enjoy our wide range of factual, sport, lifestyle and entertainment channels and programs for years to come.”

James Gibbons, executive VP and general manager for Discovery Networks U.K., Ireland, ANZ, added: “We are also delighted to extend the advertising partnership for our rapidly growing U.K. portfolio across linear TV and VOD, and welcome Sky as a key distribution partner for our streaming services in the U.K. and Ireland, as we forge ahead in the exciting world of direct-to-consumer.”

More to come…