By Stuart Thomson

Global distribution group Blue Ant International has licensed more than 650 hours of programming to Pluto TV, the ViacomCBS-owned free streaming service.

Beginning this month, Pluto TV’s audiences will have access to programming from Blue Ant International’s factual entertainment, specialist factual and high-impact documentaries. The programming will be available on the Pluto TV’s live, linear channels as well as on video-on-demand in the US, the UK, Latin American territories and France.

The deal was brokered by SVP, international co-productions and sales, Blue Ant International, Ludo Dufour with senior director, international sales, Blue Ant International Kate Blank securing sales to Pluto TV in France.

“Blue Ant International has an expansive and diverse catalogue of binge-worthy factual content that complements Pluto TV’s demand for a large pipeline of programming that will meet the needs of its global fan-base. Audiences are moving to AVOD because they want to discover compelling content, free of charge, and this deal highlights what we can offer new platforms, both in quality and scale, as they carve out their programming strategies in 2021” says  EVP, Blue Ant International, Solange Attwood.

“Pluto TV is always looking to deliver our audiences world-class premium programming, and this deal with Blue Ant International brings viewers a huge slate of new, compelling factual series and high-impact documentaries — all for free. This multi-territory deal builds on our mission to truly entertain the planet. We are thrilled to expand the Pluto TV portfolio for our US and international audiences giving them even more choice of premium content,” said VP global content partnerships, Pluto TV, Will Gurman.