WBD presents Canal+ and Amazon offers for Max in France and Spain along with launch date
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has inked deals with Amazon and Canal+ to distribute streamer Max in France and Spain as its highly anticipated launch dates in Europe draw ever closer. The House of the Dragon The platform will launch on June 11 in France, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium, a few weeks after the Nordic countries, Iberia and Central and Eastern Europe. WBD’s newly signed distribution deals, covering Canal+ in France and Prime Video in France and Spain, give the streamer wide reach in the two key territories as it launches later internationally than most of its competitors. In addition, additional partnerships have been signed with most French and Spanish mobile, broadband and pay TV providers, including Telefonica, Free, Vodafone, Orange, SFR and MasMovil. Previously, WBD and Amazon inked a Warner Pass deal in France, making HBO content and 12 channels on Prime Video available in the country. The European rollout of Max will take place shortly before tentpole House of the Dragon Season two premieres in Europe. “Strong partnerships will accelerate scaling and create greater exposure for Max, helping us reach new users faster, more effectively and efficiently,” said JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming & Games at WBD. “Warner Bros. Discovery is still in the early stages of our streaming growth. With almost half of the global addressable market still ahead of us, we are excited and optimistic about the path ahead.”
BBC Studios’ chief financial officer travels to Fremantle
BBC Studios Productions CFO Joanna Rwama is moving to Fremantle UK. Rwama takes on an expanded role as chief operating officer and chief financial officer as current CFO David Oldfield retires after two decades and Michelle Christophorou is promoted to finance director under Rwama. Rwama comes from BBC Studios, where she worked for 11 years. Previously, she was chief financial officer for Factual Entertainment and Events and Entertainment and Music. She previously worked as part of the deal team that secured investment in several BBC Studios production labels including Baby reindeer Manufacturer Clerkenwell Films and Clarkson’s Farm Indie expectation. It marks the second major exit from BBC Studios Productions in recent months, following CEO Ralph Lee. “With her extensive experience both in the UK and internationally, as well as her desire to find new opportunities in this ever-changing industry, Joanna will play a critical role in driving Fremantle UK’s growth and success well into the future.” said Fremantle UK CEO Amelia Brown. Fremantle’s European team was recently set back by the departure of its Southern Europe CEO after he fell victim to a bogus $1 million M&A scam.