ViacomCBS and Comcast announced today plans to launch a new streaming service in over 20 European markets. The service, SkyShowtime, will include content from NBCUniversal, Sky, and ViacomCBS portfolio of brands, including titles from SHOWTIME, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ Originals, Sky Studios, Universal Pictures, and Peacock.
News of the partnership between ViacomCBS and Comcast follows reports of Comcast looking into more opportunities in streaming, without a full blown merger, and both companies exploring further opportunities in international markets. Last month, Deadline reported that ViacomCBS and Charter had been meeting earlier in the summer to talk specifically about a partnership to create an international streaming service. ViacomCBS had already announced it was partnering with Comcast-owned Sky for the launch of Paramount+ in several European markets including the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in 2022.
If the two companies can get regulatory approval for the new service, it will launch with over 10,000 hours of content, including first-run, new movies and TV seasons launching every month and a library of all-time favorites, classics, and family and kids programming.
The service would be available in Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
“With the launch of SkyShowtime we are well positioned to utilize our global content engine to create a compelling streaming offering, quickly and at scale, with a smart strategic phased investment,” said Raffaele Annecchino, President & Chief Executive Officer of ViacomCBS Networks International. “As a complement to our recently announced Paramount+ partnership with Sky in the UK, Italy, and Germany, SkyShowtime represents a huge opportunity to accelerate our market expansion and build a leadership position in SVOD in Europe.”
“Our new streaming service, SkyShowtime, will combine the best of the US and Europe with iconic brands and world-class entertainment for millions of consumers in more than 20 new markets in Europe,” said Dana Strong, Group Chief Executive, Sky. “On the heels of Peacock coming to Sky, this partnership provides an innovative approach to quickly scale internationally and monetize content across Europe. Drawing on the strength of the incredible programming from NBCUniversal, Sky, and ViacomCBS, and powered by Peacock’s platform technology, SkyShowtime will provide a truly compelling lineup for the whole family and strong brand recognition across these regions.”
ViacomCBS and Comcast plan for the service to launch in 2022, pending regulatory approval. Details, including pricing, will be announced at a later date.