• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, August 18, 2021

Comcast and ViacomCBS have announced a joint venture to launch a subscription video-on-demand service available in more than 20 European territories and more than 90 million homes. 

The service, SkyShowtime, builds on ViacomCBS’s Paramount+ partnership with Sky in the U.K., Italy, and Germany and Peacock's access on Sky.

Expected to launch in 2022, the SVOD will offer 10,000+ hours of content, including original and first-run movies and series, from NBCUniversal, Sky and ViacomCBS brands, including Showtime, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ Originals, Sky Studios, Universal Pictures, and Peacock.

Its library will include family and kids programming, scripted dramas, documentaries, key franchises and local programming, as well as movies.

The corporations said that they will be equally invested and have joint control. Further specifics, including the SVOD’s subscription price, will be revealed at a later date.

SkyShowtime will “ultimately” 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 and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International, in the announcement. “As a complement to our recently announced Paramount+ partnership with Sky in the U.K., Italy, and Germany, SkyShowtime represents a huge opportunity to accelerate our market expansion and build a leadership position in SVOD in Europe.”

“On the heels of Peacock coming to Sky, this partnership provides an innovative approach to quickly scale internationally and monetize content across Europe,” added Sky Group Chief Executive Dana Strong. “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.”