Buena Vista International Television (BVI-TV) has concluded a major programming deal with KirchMedia GmbH & Co., owner of ProSieben and Sat.1.
The deal -- which the programmers hope is a sign that the German market is beginning to rebound -- will give the German broadcaster rights to feature films from Touchstone, Walt Disney Pictures and Miramax, as well as live-action television series.
In addition, ProSieben will air Disney-branded programming blocks with the studio's animated programming.
The deal is an important indicator of the studio's confidence in the future of KirchMedia, which was forced to filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and subsequently had to renegotiate major programming deals with a number of Hollywood studios.
"Completing this deal with BVI-TV has given us a sense of optimism for the future," KirchMedia managing director Wolfgang van Betteray said. "We believe we will be able to hand over a profitable business to the new owners of KirchMedia."
