Following Epix’s relaunch as MGM+ in the US in January, Amazon revealed on Wednesday that MGM’s streaming services in key European countries will be rebranded as MGM+ International.
The company also announced it had signed a “strategic content deal” with Lionsgate for “a significant suite of premium movies and television series” in support of the change. “Under the arrangement, MGM+ International will stream leading series from Lionsgate and Starz in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, giving subscribers access to even more popular TV series and movies at no additional cost to their current subscription.” this weekend, it said. Monthly subscriptions cost €3.99 or $4.37 and are offered through Prime Video Channels.
Lionsgate+ subscribers who joined the streamer through Prime Video Channels will now be able to access the MGM+ International streamer instead. The move is in line with Lionsgate’s earlier announcement that it would end its Lionsgate+ streaming service in several European markets and in Japan.
“Following the relaunch of MGM+ in the US at the beginning of the year, we’ve seen significant growth in subscribers,” said Amazon President Chris Brearton, VP, Prime Video Studios Corporate Strategy. “Now MGM’s international streaming services will follow suit and relaunch as MGM+ International in key countries where we are making further content investments to capitalize on the strength of the iconic brand and accelerate our growth as a premium international SVOD service.”
With the Lionsgate content deal, MGM+ International will be home to popular Lionsgate and Starz series such as the Current franchising, Black sails, Black mafia family, Crazy men And Nashville. News of further and exclusive Lionsgate titles launching on MGM+ in Europe is expected in the future. “Our strategic deal with Lionsgate marks Amazon’s further commitment to the MGM+ brand,” said Brearton.
Lionsgate’s president of worldwide television distribution Jim Packer said the programming deal “reaffirms the tremendous value of our content.”
Amazon completed its $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM last year.
