The Pokémon Company International inks multiple deals with international SVOD platforms for the animated series and standalone TV specials.
LONDON -- The Pokémon Company announced that it has signed multiple new deals with international SVOD platforms for the animated series as well as standalone TV specials that further extend the reach of the hugely popular program. The show, based on one of the best-selling video gaming franchises of all time, with 260 million units sold worldwide, has delighted fans of all ages for nearly 20 years since it first launched in Japan in 1996.
The newly announced agreements, which cover numerous series and specials, include a multiple-territory deal for Google Play. Additional partnerships have been forged for VOD services in Canada with Club illico and shomi, in Europe with TIMvision from Telecom Italia, with Germany’s kividoo, and French VOD service TFOU MAX from TF1.
These latest signings complement existing VOD services that include several partnerships with the likes of Hulu in the US and WATCHEVER in Europe, plus other major subscription VOD partners. The Pokémon Company International offers content on iTunes, with episodes of the latest season, Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest, currently available on iTunes in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Customers in the US and UK can also find content on Amazon.
Emily Arons, Senior VP of International Business at The Pokémon Company International commented, “Pokémon is the perfect on-demand franchise: we know that our fans want to watch and engage with the show when they want and where they want. The huge success we have had in securing additional distribution deals across a variety of platforms is testament to the fact that Pokémon is a truly universal show with deep heritage, huge global appeal, and continued relevance to today’s audience.”
Pokémon animation is broadcast in more than 160 countries in more than 30 languages. The series follows Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, and their friends, and spans nearly 900 episodes across 18 seasons.
Source: The Pokémon Company International