DPG Media, a European operation with bases in Benelux and Denmark, has reached an agreement with RTL to acquire the business, which comprises a family of free-TV and pay-TV networks and popular streaming service Videoland.The all-cash transaction is expected to close in mid-2024, subject to regulatory approvals.RTL had previously attempted to merge its Dutch assets with John de Mol’s Talpa Network, but this was stopped by regulators on competition grounds. Today’s deals ties into the European giant’s belief that major networks on the continent need to either merge or strategically partner to compete with global streamers.As such, part of the agreement sees RTL and DPG enter into a strategic partnership that spans technology, ad sales and content.RTL networks in Germany, France and Hungary will receive first-look rights for all new RTL Nederland programs, with DPG allowed to use the ‘RTL’ brand until at least December 2034. DPG already uses the RTL brand in Belgium.Conversely, RTL Nederlands networks will still use RTL services and the solutions provided by RTL ad-tech business SmartClip.“For several years, we have consistently said that market consolidation in the European TV industry is necessary to compete with the global tech giants,” said RTL CEO Thomas Rabe. “After our in-country consolidation strategy was blocked by the competition authorities in January 2023, the sale to DPG Media is the best strategic option for RTL Nederland and all its stakeholders.“We are looking forward to the strategic partnership with DPG Media, working closely together on European solutions in advertising and streaming technology, international advertising sales and joint content development.”In an internal interview transcript seen by Deadline, Rabe added further color, saying: “The media industry is in the middle of a major transformation. This causes significant challenges and requires tough decisions. To compete with the global streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon and Disney, we are convinced that market consolidation is necessary – and that it will happen in the European TV markets sooner or later.“As Europe’s leading commercial broadcaster, it’s our ambition to play an active role in this process. In other words: our answer is to scale up our broadcasting and streaming businesses. After our in-country consolidation strategy – the planned merger of RTL Nederland and Talpa Network – was blocked by the competition authorities at the beginning of 2023, the sale to DPG Media for €1.1 billion is the best strategic option for RTL Nederland and all its stakeholders.”New Dutch market partner DPG has made its own consolidation moves in the past. Along with telecoms player Telenet, it co-owns the Belgian streaming platform Streamz, which we revealed last month has partnered with Videoland on Safe Harbor, a crime drama series starring Alfie Allen from Ozark co-creator Mark Williams.Christian Van Thillo, Executive Chairman of DPG Media Group, said: “We are very pleased that we have reached an agreement with RTL Group to acquire RTL Nederland, the undisputed market leader in commercial TV broadcasting, and the owner of the highly successful streaming platform Videoland.“Together with our leading TV brands VTM and RTL Belgium, we will be able to build a group that has the necessary scale to invest in the digital transformation of television. I am looking forward to working with the outstanding leadership team of RTL Nederland, and I am also very pleased that we will build a strategic partnership with RTL Group.”
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