International law firm CMS has advised ViacomCBS and Comcast on aspects of their partnership to launch a new subscription video on demand (SVOD) streaming service, SkyShowtime.
The partnership will be structured as a 50:50 joint venture, with equal investment and joint control by ViacomCBS and Comcast. Once launched, SkyShowtime is expected to be made available in more than 20 European territories across 90 million homes with entertainment, movies, and original series from the NBCUniversal, Sky and ViacomCBS portfolio of brands, including titles from SHOWTIME, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Paramount+ Originals, Sky Studios, Universal Pictures, and Peacock.
CMS advised ViacomCBS and Comcast on the agreements pursuant to which the JV will be supplied by each relevant parent company with a range of television shows and movies from its portfolio of brands. CMS also provided specialist media due diligence on assets that formed part of the JV, as well as media regulatory advice and data advice.
The CMS team was led by Selina Potter and John Enser, with additional support provided by Laurel O’Dell, Louise Keenan, Rebekah Hayes, Rebecca Platt, Ben McLaughlin, Fiona Vickerstaff, Sam Oustayiannis, Hannah Torpey, Rogier de Very, Emma Burnett, Janine Ajoodan-Poor, Anna Soilleux-Mills and Ed Roper (all Media & Technology).
