ProSiebenSat.1 Group Signs Deal for Sony Pictures Television International Free TV Rights
Munich, January 29, 2008 In a long-term deal with Sony Pictures Television International, the ProSiebenSat.1 Group has obtained the exclusive German free TV rights to an outstanding selection of Hollywood blockbusters, series and other films.
The agreement gives the ProSiebenSat.1 Group broadcasting rights for such star-studded blockbusters as Spider-Man 3 (Tobey Maguire), The Da Vinci Code (Tom Hanks) and The Pursuit of Happyness (Will Smith).
Additionally, the deal will give the ProSiebenSat.1 Group access to such premium series as Damages, with Glenn Close, and The Tudors, an opulent TV highlight production about the reign of Henry VIII, which has already won two Emmys. The Group also gets an extensive library of other attractive films, including Men in Black and My Best Friends Wedding.
Said Guillaume de Posch, CEO of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group: The contract with Sony Pictures Television International stocks up our portfolio of rights with some of the most successful theatrical-run productions of the recent past. It guarantees us long-term access to outstanding TV and theatrical film highlights, and strengthens our position as a provider of first-class TV entertainment.
The ProSiebenSat.1 Group has long-term contracts with almost every major Hollywood studio and many other production companies and distributors including Sony Pictures Television International, Paramount Pictures Global, CBS International Television, Disney-ABC International Television, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution Inc., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Lucasfilm LTD, Dreamworks SKG, Constantin Filmverleih, Tobisfilm, Kinowelt and Telepool.
About ProSiebenSat.1 Group
With 26 free TV stations, 24 pay TV channels and 22 radio networks in 13 European countries, the ProSiebenSat.1 Group is one of the largest and most successful pan-European media corporations. Free TV, financed through advertising, is the Groups core business. In June 2007, the ProSiebenSat.1 Group acquired the SBS Broadcasting Group, and it now has some 6,000 employees across Europe. The Company, which is listed in the MDAX, is headquartered in Munich.
About Sony Pictures Television International
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business outside of the United States. SPTI operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of SPEs feature films and television programming to television, mobile and digital platforms around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with almost 50 networks in more than 130 countries reaching more than 300 million households worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
Contact:
Katja Pichler
Corporate Spokesperson
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG
Medienallee 7
D-85774 Unterföhring
Ph. +49 [89] 95 07-11 80
Fax +49 [89] 95 07-11 84
E-mail:
Katja.Pichler@ProSiebenSat1.com
Press release online:
www.ProSiebenSat1.com