ProSiebenSat.1 strikes deal with Unitymedia, prepares growth plan

Liberty Global-owned German cable operator Unitymedia has struck a long-term cooperation agreement with commercial broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 for carriage of the latter’s channels.

The pair’s existing deal has been extended until 2013 and ProSiebenSat.1’s Sixx channel will be given extended carriage on Unitymedia’s analogue tier. ProSiebenSat.1’s HD channels will also be carried by the operator. From November, Unitymedia’s digital TV customers will be able to use an HD box or CI Plus module to receive ProSieben, Sat.1 and Kabel Eins in high definition. Sixx HD will probably be added in 2012.

Separately, ProSiebenSat.1 has presented its growth strategy to investors. The broadcaster says it is targeting €750 million of additional revenues by 2015, with 50% of revenues in 2015 generated outside traditional TV advertising in Germany.

It foresees growth in the German TV business at least at the going market level, and double-digit growth in its digital and international business, and content production.

Additional organic revenue opportunities in the international TV business are estimated at more than €150 million, with the average annual growth rate (CAGR) set at an upper single digits level until 2015. The company expects additional organic revenue potential from digital and adjacent activities to pass the €250 million mark, with CAGR set to exceed 20% from now until 2015.

Revenues from production and global sales of programme content are targeted to grow by more than €100 million over the same period.