ProSieben rebrands MCN unit

ProSiebenSat.1 has rebranded its MCN group Collective Digital Studio as Studio71.

The German broadcast group took control of Collective Digital Studio last year and merged it with its MCN Studio 71.

ProSieben said the name change comes at a critical time for the MCN as it now generates 3.5 billion views a month.

The newly branded group will still be managed by a five-strong board, overseen by ProSieben’s Christof Wahl. Studio71 founders Sebastian Weil and Ronald Horstman are also on the board and will focus on the European region. CDS founders Michael Green and Reza Izad will cover the Americas.

Wahl said: “With the merger we instantly became a global player, now we are focused on dynamic growth so operating together under the Studio71 banner will make us even more impactful.”

Green added: “Our continued focus on the world’s best talent, production of premium content and partnership with leading brands is contributing to a powerhouseslate of intellectual property, which we will be producing and distributingover multiple platforms around the world.”

Studio71 said its first global production will be the film Natural Born Pranksters, starring YouTube’s top pranksters VitalyzdTV, Roman Atwood and Dennis Roady. Lionsgate will release the movie before it hits digital platforms.