NBCU’s Hayu agrees SVOD deal with Viacom

Reality TV SVOD service, Hayu, has agreed its first licensing deal with Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) for shows such as The Hills and Jersey Shore.

The NBCUniversal (NBCU) International-owned on-demand service licensed a mixture of MTV and VH1 titles that it started to add to the service over the summer.

The deal also includes titles like Laguna Beach and Love & Hip Hop: New York.

Hayu said the agreement marks one of Viacom’s first SVOD deals focused on reality content and is in “direct response to demand from fans”.

“Hayu’s acquisition of iconic VIMN reality content has added over 400 hours of nostalgic programming to the service – from series that were specifically requested by our users,” said Hendrik McDermott, senior vice-president branded on demand at NBCU International.

“We are delighted to see this content being embraced alongside the growing inventory of over 4,000 episodes of NBCUniversal’s world-leading reality content currently available to Hayu subscribers.”

VIMN’s vice-president of international programme sales, Lauren Marriott, said: “Our latest SVOD deal with Hayu demonstrates VIMN’s ongoing commitment to expanding its global footprint by making sure we’re everywhere our audiences are.”

Hayu is focused on reality TV programming and offers shows like Keeping Up with The Kardashians, Made in Chelsea and The Real Housewives.

NBCU launched the service in March 2016 in the UK, Ireland and Australia, as TBI’s sister title, Digital TV Europe, revealed at the time.