Disney+ strikes Spanish content deal with RTVE

Disney+ has struck its latest content deal with a European broadcaster in a move believed to mark the first time that a PSB has agreed to make shows available on a streaming platform the day after their linear broadcast.

The agreement with RTVE in Spain will see some of the public broadcaster’s most successful shows such as MasterChef heading to Disney+, alongside scripted series.

The Banijay Iberia-produced culinary show’s 14th season will debut on Disney+ immediately after it airs on RTVE’s flagship La1, with a similar deal struck for the celebrity version.

The pact, which starts 31 March, also includes upcoming drama Rojo Sobre Blanco, produced by Mediawan-owned Good Mood. It will premiere on TVE and then on Disney+, with the first content appearing from 31 March.

Further titles will be announced at a later date.

The move is part of a broader Disney+ strategy to expand its entertainment offering by partnering with FTA broadcasters, who are looking for the younger audiences offered by the streamer.

Similar deals have already been struck by Disney+ in Spain with Atresmedia, while pacts with the UK’s ITVX, ARD and ZDF in Germany, and SIC in Portugal have also been agreed.

Karl Holmes, general manager at Disney+ EMEA, said: “Incorporating these programms 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.

“We look forward to beginning this journey with RTVE and are confident it will lead to many more projects together.”