Sony Pictures, Disney EMEA and BBC Studios join DEGI

The Walt Disney Company, EMEA, BBC Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment have joined digital trade body Digital Entertainment Group International (DEGI).

DEGI is the sister entity of the American commercial group Digital Entertainment Group (DEG).

The group’s mission is to “drive global digital growth” and engagement, which it does through market research, reporting and technology innovation as well as local collaboration and networking.

Google, Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures are already members of DEGI.

In particular, DEGI has an eye on VOD rentals as well as “buy and keep” transactions, with the body noting that there were more than 30.1 million VOD rentals between January and October. 2021 in the UK in addition to 17.7 million buy-and-hold transactions.

“DEGI welcomes these three new members and their committed members at such an exciting time for the category,” said Joe Braman, Co-Chair of DEGI. “As the increase in new content continues over the next six months, their experience and ambition will be a huge benefit to our collective goals. Additionally, increased consumer awareness of multiple formats in a post-screen landscape -lockdown makes it more essential than ever that we come together to share our knowledge and expertise in bringing the many benefits of digital ownership and rental to the public.In return, we offer our DEGI members an understanding of the market, the state-of-the-art reports and information on the entire category.

Johnnie Thompson, Director of Digital Stores, EMEA and Russia at The Walt Disney Company, added: “With nearly 18 million digital purchases in the UK alone in 2021, the digital home entertainment category continues to thrive. . We know people crave flexibility, and whether it’s a digital rental or purchase, in theaters or through Disney Plus, there are more ways than ever for fans to enjoy storytelling. world class from Disney. It is therefore essential that we come together as an industry to share our knowledge and expertise to drive the digital category forward, and DEGI provides an excellent platform to do so.

Rob Crowe, Director of Online and Digital Sales at BBC Studios, said: “With the digital landscape and consumer choice changing faster than ever, it has never been more important for us to come together as industry to understand our customers and how best to engage them in digital ownership for years to come. I look forward to working with the other DEGI members to advance our mutual ambitions for the category.

Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Project Director for its Transactional Digital Acceleration Program, Laura Broadbent, said: “The digital transactional landscape is changing faster than ever and at its heart is a growing appetite for quality film and television content. from consumers. This presents a phenomenal opportunity for growth in international territories. DEGI provides us with a strong platform for collaboration through the sharing of research, actionable insights and knowledge that will enable us to help our audiences understand how and where they can rent or purchase the wealth of content available to them. We look forward to working with fellow DEGI members to improve the consumer experience with the goal of further accelerating the growth of international transactional digital markets in the years to come. Variety