CANNES, France — German broadcaster Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland has extended its pact with NBCUniversal Intl. Distribution. The new deal, which begins in 2018, includes exclusive free-TV rights for upcoming movies and first-run rights for upcoming TV series, as well as access to library titles.
The new pact includes upcoming instalments in the “Fast & Furious” franchise, in addition to the latest films in Universal Pictures’ “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy and “Jurassic” franchise; and upcoming animated feature films from Illumination Entertainment such as “The Secret Life of Pets 2” and Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are also included in the agreement.
Mediengruppe RTL will also acquire a collection of library movie titles such as “Fast & Furious 6,” “The Bourne Legacy,” “Despicable Me” and “Battleship.”
Additionally, classic and new TV series are a part of the agreement and include library titles such as “Law & Order,” “Law Order: SVU,” “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “Monk,” among others. Beginning with the 2018/2019 season, viewers will have access to first-run series produced by NBCUniversal.
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“NBCUniversal and Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland have been very successful partners for many years now. This existing, close and trustworthy partnership allowed NBCUniversal and Mediengruppe RTL to close a further and even expanded deal,” said Joerg Graf, executive VP production and acquisition at Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland. “We’re proud of a deal which perfectly reflects the current and future standards of content and its distribution through our linear and non-linear platforms.”
“This deal is the latest exciting chapter in a highly valued relationship with Mediengruppe RTL that is nearing almost four successful decades of partnership,” said Belinda Menendez, president, NBCUniversal Intl. Distribution & Networks. “We are delighted that Mediengruppe RTL’s audiences can anticipate premieres of NBCU’s top-quality feature film slate and TV series through our multi-year renewed relationship.”
