The deal gives the streamer exclusive European rights for 21 local series from Warner Bros. Discovery, including some of HBO Max’s popular and highly-acclaimed shows from the region.
SkyShowtime announced today that it has acquired exclusive European rights for 21 local series from Warner Bros. Discovery, including some of HBO Max’s popular and highly-acclaimed shows from the region following a competitive process. In total, the deal provides SkyShowtime 168 episodes -over 150 hours- of new and previously aired original programming. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal -which includes three brand-new series that have completed production and will have their world premiere on SkyShowtime in 2023- significantly accelerates the company’s entry into original programming.
The new shows, which will be branded as SkyShowtime Originals, include ID (Finland and Sweden), The Winner (Czechia and Slovakia), and Warszawianka (Poland). Additionally, SkyShowtime will also premiere the second season of Por H o Por B (Spain). The first season of Por H o Por B will also be on the service. Premiere dates for these shows will be announced at a later date.
Other popular shows acquired in the deal include several series that recently premiered on HBO Max but will now have their exclusive home on SkyShowtime. They are Beartown (Sweden), Beforeigners (Norway), Kamikaze (Denmark), Lust (Sweden) and The Informant (Hungary). SkyShowtime will have the option to acquire worldwide rights on any renewed shows as well as the option to order new seasons for several shows.
In addition to new original series, the deal enhances SkyShowtime’s strong and compelling catalogue of critically-acclaimed series in time for its remaining launches across markets in Europe. As well as the nine new and current shows, multiple seasons of 12 successful series from HBO Max will be available exclusively on SkyShowtime beginning in March 2023.
These titles include: Czech It Out! (Czechia), Foodie Love (Spain), Hackerville (Romania), No Activity (Spain), One True Singer (Romania), Pray, Obey, Kill (Sweden), Ruxx (Romania), Success (Croatia), Todo Lo Otro (Spain), The Sleepers (Czechia), Tuff Money (Romania) and Welcome to Utmark (Norway).
All of the acquired shows will be available to SkyShowtime subscribers across all of its 22 markets.
Created for Europe, SkyShowtime has teams across six regional offices. Its apps and content will be available in 18 different languages across its 22 markets.
Already live in 12 markets, SkyShowtime first launched in September in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, followed by launches in the Netherlands and Portugal in November. In December, the streaming service launched in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. SkyShowtime will launch in its remaining markets of Albania, Andorra, Czechia, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain in Q1 2023.
