Discovery has struck a deal with Channel 4’s Walter Presents to launch premium drama service in Italy.
The streaming video on demand service Walter Presents, which delivers foreign-language dramas to UK, US and Australian audiences, will be teaming up with Discovery Italia, in the next stage of a planned global roll out, to bring its dramas to Italian audiences from September 2018.
Discovery Italia will offer the premium content on its VOS service Dplay, while dedicated slots for Walter Presents titles will be aired also on its Nove and Giallo channels.
Marinella Soldi, Chief Strategy Officer Discovery EMEA & Managing Director Discovery Networks Southern Europe: “Partnering with Walter Presents is another bold move which is typical of our success in this business: anticipating consumer trends and applying successful and creative models from other countries. Our aim is to replicate and build upon the phenomenal success the service has enjoyed in the UK with Channel 4. It’s an innovative model which perfectly converges linear and VOD to create a sweet spot for viewers and broadcasters alike.”
Walter Iuzzolino, co-founder and curator of Walter Presents says: “Discovery Italia has an impressive track record and has proven to be an astute, decisive and successful group of channels – I couldn’t hope for a better partner to embark on this drama adventure together. As an Italian, this is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time – it’s a personal dream come true for me and I can’t wait to get started.”
Laura Carafoli, SVP Chief Content Officer Discovery Southern Europe adds: “We know our audiences are curious and hungry for quality content and Walter Presents brings an entirely new element to the Discovery entertainment experience. We are delighted to be able to showcase these compelling and addictive hit thrillers from countries as diverse as Brazil, Norway and Chile, further broadening the scope of our Discovery Italia offerings.”
