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Discovery and the BBC announced this morning a 10-year content partnership agreement for a new streaming service focused on natural history and factual programming. The subscription video service is expected to cost less than $ 5 a month and will belong to Discovery. It will be operational in all territories outside the United Kingdom, Ireland and China when it is launched in 2020.
Discover's service will become the exclusive venue of video on demand (SVOD) with series such as "Planet Earth", "Blue Planet", "Life", "Dynasties", etc., in addition to future shows ordered by BBC by BBC Studios. after their broadcast on linear television.
These will be combined with the Discovery lineup, including "MythBusters", "Deadliest Catch", "Unresolved Story", "Shark Week", etc., as well as hundreds of hours of BBC programming for which Discovery now has SVOD broadcast rights.
In addition, Discovery and BBC Studios will collaborate again to fund the development of new wildlife series, as well as other content related to travel, science and natural history, for linear and digital distribution.
The two companies also reached an agreement on how to divide broadcasts from UKTV, which Discovery acquired on the acquisition of Scripps in 2018. Discovery will take control of lifestyle channels including Good Food , Home and Really. portfolio of 16 channels in the UK.
BBC Studios, meanwhile, will take possession of seven other entertainment channels – Alibi, Dave, Drama, Eden, Gold, Yesterday and W – as well as the brand and digital service UKTV, UKTV Play. BBC Studios has agreed to pay $ 225 million for the channels and has taken over a $ 91 million debt financed by Discovery.
UKTV will also receive an additional £ 10 million from Discovery, with both parties sharing existing cash on the company's balance sheet,
"From the planets to the poles and documenting all the species in between, the world has always been part of Discovery's DNA. That's who we are. Telling these stories is our mission and it's more important than ever before, "said David Zaslav, General Manager of Discovery, in a statement. "The new platform will be the first direct-to-the-world service with the most iconic intellectual property in the category, including the Planet Earth series, future suites and spin-offs from all historical series, and new exclusive programming dedicated to natural history and science. future. The market has tremendous value for these program categories that attract a wide audience and a strong commitment of several generations, and we hope to fill the void in the global market for a dedicated product of high quality. "
"The BBC has great programs in natural history and science. They are innovative and demonstrate the quality and depth of our know-how. It is essential that we continue to invest and develop them for the future. This is our largest ever content sales contract, "said Tony Hall, BBC General Manager. "This will mean that BBC Studios and Discovery will work together to broadcast our content around the world through a new streaming service that is beating the market," he said.
According to the WSJ, which reported on the deal this morning, Zaslav also planned for other streaming services, including those focused on food, improving housing, golf and cycling.
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