3 JUL 2020

DISCOVERY GERMANY ACQUIRES FREE-TV CHANNEL TELE 5 FROM LEONINE

Both companies agreed upon a long-term program supply deal, which grants Discovery access to Leonine’s extensive stock of fictional content.

3 JUL 2020

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Discovery Deutschland has acquired free-to-air channel Tele 5 from German media company Leonine. Both groups have also struck a long-term licensing agreement, which provides Discovery Germany to access Leonine’s library of scripted content. The purchase is subject to regulatory approvals. 

Discovery Germany plans to use the deal to diversify library offering and pursue new target audience groups by integrating Tele 5 into its German free-to-air portfolio, which includes DMAX, TLC, Eurosport, and HGTV. “This enables us to tap new target audience groups and expand our marketing potential with the reach of Tele 5,”  said Aigner.This expansion of our portfolio represents an important step in the continuous development of Discovery Germany.”

After the Tele 5 sale, Leonine intends to prioritize the growth of its production, distribution, and license sales. Its remaining portfolio in the broadcasting sector displays strong performance, the three Leonine SVOD channels, Filmtastic, Home of Horror and Arthouse CNMA, as well as our minority stake in RTLZWEI are and will remain a central part of our corporate strategy.

With the sale of Tele 5, along with the licensing deal, Leonine is strengthening its licensing business. KKR-backed major Leonine was formed in 2019, during which Tele München Group, Universum Film, i&u TV, and Wiedemann & Berg Film merged. The Munich-based company operates subscription VOD services, including Filmtastic, Home of Horror, and Arthouse CNMA. All of the companies own a minor stake in commercial TV channel RTLzwei.