February 1, 2012
Landmark new deal with #1 distributor of Hollywood blockbusters in Germany
- The three–year cooperation includes SVOD rights and exclusive pay TV rights during the license period of the first pay window
- Blockbusters available with complete flexibility: linear broadcast on all Sky Film channels and on–demand via Sky Anytime and Sky Go
- In 2011, Warner Bros. Germany was the number one film distributor in Germany
- Gary Davey: "This is a milestone studio deal for Sky"
Unterföhring – The market–leading film offering on German TV is about to become even better: Today, Sky Deutschland AG and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution have announced the expansion of theircooperation until the end of 2015. The three year agreement between Sky and the number one film distributor in Germany includes the SVOD rights (exclusively for all new releases during the license period of the first pay window) and the exclusive pay TV rights for all Warner films across all distribution channels, including satellite, cable, IPTV, internet, and mobile during the license period. Film fans can now look forward to cinema hits like "J. Edgar", "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close", the new Tim Burton / Johnny Depp collaboration "Dark Shadows", which will be presented on Sky in 3D, "The Dark Knight Rises" as well as the successful German local productions like "Kokowääh" and "Männerherzen und die ganz ganz große Liebe".
In addition, all this content will also be available through the latest innovations for Sky customers: Through Sky Anytime Sky Film customers can watch their favourite films on–demand, whenever they choose — uncut, uninterrupted by ads, a year before they are available anywhere else on TV, and at no additional cost. In addition with Sky Go, customers have an even greater flexibility, giving them access to hundreds of top films, on–demand and on the go, on the web, iPad and more to come.
The close collaboration between Sky and Warner Bros. was demonstrated in the pre–Christmas season when Sky offered its subscribers Harry Potter movies, produced by Warner. During 2011, Warner Bros. represented three of the top five box office hits in Germany, with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2", "Kokowääh" and "Hangover 2". These successes made Warner Bros Germany the number 1 film distributor in Germany for the third time in a row. Warner also became the number 1 in local productions. Altogether, morethan 30 Warner titles premiered via Sky on TV within the last year.
Gary Davey, Executive Vice President Programming at Sky Deutschland: "This is a great way to kick off the New Year and another milestone for Sky, with the announcement of one of our most important moviedeals ever. Having completed similar deals last year with further importantfilm studios, the addition of our new arrangement with Warner ensures Sky is the undisputed home of film in Germany and Austria. Warner has always been an important partner for Sky and we are delighted to extend our partnership insuch a strategic manner. Not only does this deal secure one of Hollywood's most important suppliers for Pay TV, it also guarantees quality films for our innovative services Sky Anytime and Sky Go."
Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. International Television: "We have long enjoyed a strong relationship with Sky and are pleased to once again be partnering with them to bring our first–rate, diverse slate of films to their subscribers in Germany."
Contact Info:
Moritz Wetter
Head of Content & Product Communications
Sky Deutschland AG
Tel.: +49 89/99 58–53 00
moritz.wetter@sky.de
Scott Rowe
Senior Vice President, Worldwide Television Communications
Warner Bros. Television Group
Tel: +1 818 954 5806
Scott.rowe@warnerbros.com