Disney’s latest European content deal is a historic pact with RTVE that will see some of the Spanish broadcaster’s shows launch on Disney+ almost immediately after linear premiere.
The deal for drama, entertainment and reality content is the first time in Europe a state broadcaster has agreed to make shows available on a streaming platform the day after broadcast, we understand.
Starting Tuesday, content forming part of the deal includes the Spanish version of MasterChef. Disney+ will premiere the 13 episodes of the 14th season of MasterChef and the 12 episodes of season 11 of MasterChef Celebrity, which will be made available on Disney+ immediately after their broadcast on Spain‘s La1 on TVE.
Scripted titles includes upcoming police series Rojo Sobre Blanco starring Hugo Silva and María Hervás and produced by Mediawan-backed Good Mood, which will premiere on TVE and then on Disney+. More will be announced soon.
Disney+ said the deal gives RTVE “a new distribution window that expands the reach of its content and connects with new, younger audiences across Spain.”
Disney+ has spent the past few months striking deals of this ilk. One is a 300-hour content deal with Spain’s Atresmedia, which has seen some titles go to Disney+ day-and-date. The Mouse House has also tied with the UK’s ITV and Germany’s ZDF, the former a content-swapping pact. Disney+ Europe content boss Angela Jain was at Series Mania this week committing to more spend and unveiling new shows including a Spanish documentary about three children found abandoned at a city train station.
Disney+ EMEA GM Karl Holmes said: “RTVE is loved by viewers in Spain, with a rich heritage of decades of incredible shows. Through this agreement, we are delighted to bring some of RTVE’s most iconic new shows to Disney+ customers which are some of the most popular and recognized formats in Spanish television. Incorporating these programmes into Disney+ strengthens our ambition to enrich the service, while giving greater visibility to the extraordinary creative talent across Spain. This collaboration reflects our commitment to working closely with Europe’s greatest free‑to‑air broadcasters, bringing their high‑quality local storytelling to younger and new audiences.”