ProSiebenSat.1-Discovery streaming JV Joyn to launch in June

ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery are to premiere their joint-venture streaming offering for the German market in June with the service to launch under the brand name Joyn.

Joyn will offer live OTT TV streams of over 50 channels and what the pair describe as an extensive on-demand offering of original series and other content.

The pair said that a large amount of content would be available seven days before it is broadcast on linear TV and will subsequently be available for a 30-day catch-up window.

Joyn will be available via smartphones, tablets, web and smart TVs.

Joyn as a brand will replace the existing 7TV JV brand. ProSiebenSat.1 said that the new  app’s official launch will be accompanied by a major marketing campaign on all channels of ProSiebenSat.1, Discovery and elsewhere

Joyn will be showing a variety of exclusive and original content including season three of the hit series Jerkswith Christian Ulmen and Fahri Yardim and an exclusive preview of new series Die Läusemutter.

At the end of the year, originals including ProSieben co-produced Check Check and Frau Jordan stellt gleichwill be shown exclusively on Joyn.

Content from ProSiebenSat.1’s on-demand service Maxdome and Eurosport Player will be integrated into the offer in the future.

Alexandar Vassilev, CEO and managing director of Joyn said: “As the truly local premium platform, we are aiming to transform the German video entertainment market. Our focus is exclusively on the needs of our audiences and we commit to actively listen and reflect their feedback as we make our platform a success. Taking our first steps in the coming months, we invite everyone in Germany to #joynthejourney and our passionate team of 250-plus colleagues to build the German “Champion of Choice” video platform together.”

Katja Hofem, CCMO and managing director, Joyn said: “Authenticity and humanity, a brand that listens to the user: that’s Joyn. We are combining not only the programming of ProSiebenSat.1 and Discovery, but also the content of many other partners. And of course we will entertain our users in the future with a lot of exciting, exclusive and self-produced content – including Klaas Heufer-Umlauf and Katrin Bauerfeind.”

The launch was announced ahead of ProSiebenSat.1 unveiling Q1 results that it characterised as “a good start” to the year, despite a weak advertising market.

The group posted revenues of €913 million, up 4%, boosted by production Red Arrow Studios, which was up 25% and e-commerce arm NuCom Group, up 14%. Core TV and entertainment advertising revenues were down by 4%, while digital and advanced advertising sales were up 14%.

Adjusted EBITDA was down “as expected” by 5% to €190 million.

CEO Max Conze said that Aprol had delivered a more positive result and that, “while much remains to be done”, the group was “investing in the future of our business and concentrating on our priorities”.

Conze said that “Joyn will play a decisive role” in enabling the group to achieve its goals and also highlighted collaboration with other partners in Europe on advanced advertising.