Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery Expand Partnership in Canada

Rhea-AI Summary

Bell Media has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery for the Canadian market, extending Crave as the exclusive home of HBO and Max content for multiple years. The agreement includes:

1. A co-production commitment for original Canadian content with global appeal
2. Licensing of Bell Media original content for Warner Bros. Discovery platforms outside Canada
3. Extended access to French-language content for Bell Media platforms

The deal encompasses HBO and Max Originals, the DC Universe, the Harry Potter Franchise, popular Warner Bros. library series, and blockbuster films. Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery have also settled their recent dispute regarding Bell Media's suite of Discovery-branded channels.

Positive

• Extended exclusive rights to HBO and Max content for Crave
• Co-production commitment for original Canadian content with global appeal
• Licensing of Bell Media original content for international platforms
• Access to popular franchises like DC Universe and Harry Potter
• Settlement of dispute regarding Discovery-branded channels

Negative

• None.

Insights

Media Industry Analyst

This expanded partnership between Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery is a significant move in the Canadian media landscape. The deal strengthens Crave's position as a major streaming player by securing exclusive rights to highly sought-after HBO and Max content. This is important in the competitive streaming market, especially against global giants like Netflix and Disney+.

The co-production commitment for original Canadian content is particularly noteworthy. It not only supports the domestic production industry but also opens doors for Canadian content to reach global audiences through Warner Bros. Discovery's platforms. This could potentially lead to increased revenue streams and international recognition for Bell Media.

The settlement of the dispute over Discovery-branded channels removes a significant business uncertainty. However, the upcoming changes to these channels could impact viewership and advertising revenues, depending on how they are restructured.

Overall, this deal positions Bell Media more strongly in the evolving media landscape, potentially driving subscriber growth for Crave and enhancing Bell's content portfolio across multiple platforms.

Financial Analyst

This expanded partnership has several positive financial implications for BCE (Bell Canada Enterprises). Firstly, securing exclusive rights to premium content like HBO and Max Originals for Crave should help drive subscriber growth and retention, potentially increasing recurring revenue streams. The multi-year nature of the deal also provides long-term stability in content costs.

The co-production agreement could lead to new revenue opportunities through international content sales and licensing. This diversification of income sources is important in the volatile media industry. Additionally, the settlement of the dispute over Discovery channels eliminates potential legal costs and allows for strategic realignment of these assets.

However, investors should note that content acquisition and production costs are significant in the streaming industry. The financial success of this deal will depend on Bell Media's ability to monetize the content effectively through subscriptions and advertising. The impact on BCE's overall financial performance may be , given that media operations represent a smaller portion of BCE's total revenue compared to its telecommunications business.

– Enhanced agreement broadens Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery's content pact and extends Crave as the exclusive Canadian home of HBO and Max Originals–

–  Deal includes co-development and Canadian content licensing commitment –

TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Bell Media announced today it has expanded its landmark partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery for the Canadian market, extending Crave for multiple years as the exclusive home of HBO and Max content. The expansion of Bell Media's existing licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, announced in 2023, ensures Crave subscribers have continued access to a vast library of premium content for the foreseeable future.

The new agreement also includes a co-production commitment for original Canadian content with global appeal, licensing of Bell Media original content for use on Warner Bros. Discovery platforms outside of Canada, and extended access to French-language content for use on Bell Media platforms.

"We are strengthening and deepening our relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a significant milestone as we move forward together," said Stewart Johnston, SVP Content and Sales, Bell Media. "With our commitment to develop co-productions, and the extended pipeline of extremely valuable content for subscribers, we've ensured Crave is well-positioned for continued growth and success."

Bell Media's expanded content pact with Warner Bros. Discovery encompasses:

• HBO and Max Originals such as THE LAST OF US, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, THE WHITE LOTUS, and THE PENGUIN, AND JUST LIKE THAT…, plus HBO's vast collection of award-winning library series such as THE SOPRANOS, SEX AND THE CITY, GAME OF THRONES, SUCCESSION, and THE WIRE
• The DC Universe, which includes film and television series featuring fan-favourite superheroes
• The Harry Potter Franchise, including the upcoming HBO Original "Harry Potter" series
• Popular Warner Bros. library series such as FRIENDS and THE BIG BANG THEORY
• Blockbuster Warner Bros. films such as Barbie, Dune and Dune: Part Two, Wonka, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery also confirmed today that they have settled all matters in their recent dispute regarding Bell Media's suite of Discovery-branded channels. Details regarding changes to Bell Media-owned Discovery channels will be made available in the coming weeks.

About Bell Media

Bell Media is Canada's leading media and entertainment company with a portfolio of assets in premium video, audio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. This includes Canada's most-watched television network, CTV; the largest Canadian-owned video streamer, Crave, with a premium add-on to include STARZ; a powerful suite of specialty channels; the most-trusted news brand, CTV News; Canada's cross-platform sports leaders, TSN and RDS; leading out-of-home advertising network, Astral; Québec's fast-growing conventional French-language network, Noovo; the country's leading radio and podcast app, iHeartRadio Canada; and a range of award-winning original productions, brands, and services. As a content leader and partner in Sphere Media, Montréal's Grande Studios, and Dome Productions, one of North America's leading production facilities providers, Bell Media is committed to keeping Canadians entertained and informed.

Bell Media also offers best-in-class technology, marketing, and analytics support through Bell Marketing Platform, an omnichannel self-serve platform which includes Bell Analytics, Strategic Audience Management (SAM), and Bell DSP, in addition to advanced advertising solutions, including Linear Addressable TV, Addressable Audio, and ads on Crave. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. ¹ Learn more at BellMedia.ca.

1 Based on total revenue and total combined customer connections.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bell-media-and-warner-bros-discovery-expand-partnership-in-canada-302270165.html

SOURCE Bell Media

FAQ

What does the expanded partnership between Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery include?

The expanded partnership includes extended exclusive rights for HBO and Max content on Crave, a co-production commitment for original Canadian content, licensing of Bell Media content for international platforms, and access to popular franchises like DC Universe and Harry Potter.

How long will Crave remain the exclusive home of HBO and Max content in Canada?

The agreement extends Crave as the exclusive home of HBO and Max content for multiple years, ensuring continued access to this premium content for the foreseeable future.

What was the outcome of the dispute between Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery regarding Discovery-branded channels?

Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery have settled all matters in their recent dispute regarding Bell Media's suite of Discovery-branded channels. Details about changes to these channels will be announced in the coming weeks.

How does this partnership affect BCE (TSX, NYSE: BCE) stock?

While the direct impact on BCE stock is not specified, the expanded partnership strengthens Bell Media's content offerings, potentially enhancing its competitive position in the Canadian media market and contributing to BCE's overall performance.