LONDON, Jan. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery, Inc. and
Vodafone have signed a new long-term, multi-platform agreement in
Europe under which Vodafone
customers in 12 markets can continue to enjoy Discovery's unique
content portfolio. The parties will also collaborate on making
discovery+ available to existing Vodafone subscriber bases across
Europe. discovery+ is the
definitive real-life entertainment streaming service that
aggregates Discovery's iconic and much-loved brands and content
around the globe.
The partnership covers Vodafone's TV and mobile customers
in the UK*, Germany, Turkey*, Italy, Spain,
Romania, Portugal, Greece, Czech
Republic, Hungary,
Ireland and Iceland will be able to watch their favourite
content from Discovery's iconic brands, the BBC's natural history
collection*, plus Eurosport's premium sports offering, all in one
place for the first time ever.
At launch, discovery+ will have one of the largest content
offerings of any new streaming service, featuring a wide
range of global and local content, and original series across
popular, passion verticals in which Discovery has category
leadership, including lifestyle and relationships; home and food;
true crime; paranormal; adventure and natural history; as well as
science, tech and the environment, and high-quality documentaries.
Beginning with the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year, discovery+ will become the
streaming Home of the Olympics in Europe with access to every
minute, every medal, and every hero, live and on demand*.
This partnership gives Discovery access to roughly 100m Vodafone TV, Fixed Broadband and
Mobile-subscribers across Europe
to which discovery+ can be made available for a promotional period
that will vary by market. Launches will be supported by
high-profile marketing campaigns including a wide array of 'always
on' customer promotional activities on both Vodafone and Discovery
owned platforms. The rollout in 12 markets is planned during the
course of 2021 and 2022. In addition, Discovery's linear
channels will continue to be available to Vodafone customers on TV
in Germany, Italy, Spain,
Romania, Portugal, Greece, Czech
Republic, Hungary,
Ireland and Iceland.
David Zaslav, President &
CEO of Discovery, Inc. said: "We are delighted to
announce this multi-territory and multi-platform partnership with
Europe's largest mobile and fixed
network operator. Vodafone's vast and deep consumer
relationships will provide a powerful engine for discovery+ as
together we bring the definitive destination for real-life
entertainment to consumers across Europe. Our hybrid agreement
with Vodafone advances our broader strategy of expanding our linear
distribution relationships to bring our popular content to
consumers across more platforms and devices."
Ahmed Essam, Chief Commercial
Operations and Strategy Officer, Vodafone Group, said: "I am
extremely pleased to have made this agreement with Discovery, which
extends our existing partnership and perfectly demonstrates
Vodafone's positioning as one of Europe's leading video content platforms.
Discovery will be a key part of our Entertainment offer, providing
a rich choice of content that will enhance Vodafone's provision of
a superior customer experience across its high-quality TV and
flexible streaming services".
Kasia Kieli, President & MD of Discovery EMEA, said:
"discovery+ will harness our unique and powerful global and local
content offering to serve fans across Europe as we bring the best of real-life
entertainment to our passionate audiences. We are very pleased that
our relationship with Vodafone continues to grow. Thanks to this
new strategic partnership our viewers and Vodafone's customers will
have direct access to the best global and local Discovery content
anytime anywhere."
*discovery+ will only be available to Vodafone mobile
customers in the UK and Turkey.
*BBC natural history
partnership excludes the UK.
*Olympic rights
exclude Russia. Eurosport will be
an Official Broadcaster in France
and the UK for Tokyo 2020.
Notes to editors:
About Discovery
Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB,
DISCK) is a global leader in real-life entertainment, serving a
passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that
inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000
hours of original programming each year and has category leadership
across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in
220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is
a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV
Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps;
direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and
MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group
Nine Media and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the
international home of golf. Discovery's portfolio of premium brands
includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation
Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, and Science
Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S.,
Discovery Kids in Latin America,
and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium
sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit
https://corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV
across social platforms.
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SOURCE Discovery, Inc.