The ProSiebenSat.1 Group has concluded its first direct programming deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution (WBITV) for a package of free-TV rights to over 30 theatrical films and six TV series.

Film highlights in the package include Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions, the Jet Lee actioner Cradle 2 The Grave, the teen-horror hit Final Destination 2, Matchstick Men, Freddy vs. Jason, the Tom Cruise-starring The Last Samurai (which opens theatrically in Germany today [8 January]) and the Jack Nicholson/Diane Keaton comedy Something's Gotta Give. The TV series acquired include The O.C., Cold Case and Two And A Half Men.

"The agreement with Warner has allowed us to further build up our supply of attractive theatrical releases and series from Hollywood," ProSiebenSat.1 CEO Urs Rohner said. "We've now signed agreements with almost all key US studios in the last 12 months. Our stations are definitely considered the first place to look for great Hollywood cinema in German television."

Commenting on the agreement which was negotiated for WBITV by Dr. Sylvia Rothblum, managing director for German speaking territories, president Jeffrey Schlesinger said that the deal "speaks for the quality of our product and for the healthy appetite of German TV viewers for good programming."

Over the past twelve months, the ProSiebenSat.1 Group has concluded package deals with Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Television International, Disney, Miramax and Lucasfilm as well as Senator Film, Epsilon, Highlight Communications, Constantin Film and Tobis Filmkunst.