Warner Bros. Discovery Strengthens Global Presence with BluTV Acquisition
Warner Bros. Discovery has recently acquired BluTV, a leading subscription video-on-demand service in Turkey, signaling a significant expansion in its global media portfolio. The acquisition comes after a three-year partnership, which commenced in 2021 with the introduction of Discovery+ on BluTV. This collaboration, coupled with an investment by Discovery Inc., resulted in Discovery holding a 35 percent stake in BluTV.
Background
BluTV, launched in 2016 in Turkey and later expanding to the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region in 2018, caters to Turkish- and Arabic-speaking audiences worldwide. The streaming platform boasts an extensive library of premium originals, Turkish TV series, movies, and a curated selection of Hollywood and international content. With over 10,000 hours of on-demand premium content and live channels, BluTV has garnered attention for its diverse offerings.
Strategic Partnership Highlights
The strategic partnership saw the integration of Discovery+ into BluTV in 2021, providing subscribers with access to renowned brands like Discovery Channel, TLC, DMAX, and ID. Additionally, viewers gained the ability to watch live sports through Eurosport 1 and 2. In February, the merged Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) enhanced BluTV's content lineup by introducing HBO content and popular kids' channels such as Cartoon Network and Cartoonito.
Growth Trajectory
While the exact number of BluTV subscribers remains undisclosed, WBD acknowledged the platform's robust growth trajectory, attributing it to a focus on original content and an expansive content library.
Future Outlook
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, emphasized the company's commitment to global growth initiatives, with the BluTV acquisition being a strategic move in this direction. The acquisition aligns with WBD's objective to diversify and strengthen its presence in key markets.
In the wake of the BluTV acquisition, industry speculation has arisen regarding Warner Bros. Discovery's potential interest in Paramount Global, following exploratory conversations by CEO David Zaslav.
Statements from Executives
Jamie Cooke, GM CEE, Middle East & Turkey of Warner Bros. Discovery, highlighted Turkey's significance as an investment territory for over two decades. He expressed optimism about blending BluTV's compelling Turkish content with WBD's international series, offering a unique and successful viewing experience for local audiences.
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