Pluto TV has signed a long-term strategic content partnership with Mediawan to bring more than 1,000 hours of French content from Mediawan’s library to Pluto TV in France and across 18 countries in Latin America.
The pact with Mediawan will allow Pluto TV, ViacomCBS Networks International’s ad-supported streaming service, to grow its portfolio in France, adding 12 new linear streaming channels in the country as well as two more channels in Latin America.
Boasting a track record in animation, series, films and documentaries, Mediawan is the parent company of Lagardere Studios, ON Kids & Family, Storia, Mon Voisin Production, Making Prod, AB Group, Palomar, Radar, Paiva, Scarlett Productions, Black Dynamite, Good Mood and French Kiss, among others.
The two channels bowing in Latin America will be dedicated to a pair of hit series for children, the animated show “B.F.F. Best Friends Forever,” which is based on the comic book “Pahe’s Life,” and the hybrid animation/live action series “Seven and Me.”
Among the 12 channels launching in France, four of them will be dedicated to the iconic 1990s French series produced by Mediawan’s AB Productions, including “Hélène Et Les Garçons,” “Le Miel Et Les Abeilles,” “Le miracles de l’amour” and “Les Filles D’à Cote.”
“We’ve seen in other markets where we’re established that classic shows such as ‘Baywatch,’ ‘Happy Days,’ ’21 Jump Street,’ are hugely popular,” said Olivier Jollet, SVP of streaming, strategy & business development, and head of mobile for ViacomCBS Networks International. Jollet also pointed out “Derrick,” the staple German TV crime series which began airing in the 1970’s, was the most watched show on Pluto TV in Germany.
“These are all shows that made the golden days of linear TV back then, and we want to turn the spotlight on them today on Pluto TV. More than ever during this pandemic we saw that audiences have been craving to indulge themselves with these cult series they grew up watching, while younger folks are enjoying to get a glimpse of what the 1980s and 1990s looked like,” added Jollet.
The Mediawan-branded channel “Instant Saga” will roll out on Pluto TV in France with content such as the series “Le Château Des Oliviers” and “Coeurs Brulés,” starting on May 31. Pluto TV will also add a channel dedicated entirely to “Baywatch,” the cult ’90s series starring Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff, in the upcoming weeks.
The pact with Mediawan will also give the streaming service access to more than 150 movies. These will be available across three new channels — Pluto TV Sci-Fi, Pluto TV Horror and Pluto TV Thriller.
Pluto TV launched in France in February with 40 original channels and now boasts nearly 50 channels in France through its partnership with Mediawan. The service aims reach 100 channels by the end of 2021. Jollet said Pluto TV had a unique position in France, being the first free ad-supported linear streaming service to launch in the country.
“France has a vast offer of traditional free-to-air channels and consumption habits that are skewed towards linear programming, which fits Pluto TV’s lean back model,” said Jollet.
In Latin America, meanwhile, Pluto TV is available in 18 countries, offering more than 90 channels for Spanish-speaking countries and close to 50 channels in Portuguese for Brazil. Additional channels and content will be announced in the coming months. The service will also now be launching in Italy.