CNBC to launch German-language channel in 2027
CNBC plans to enter the German-speaking media market with a new business and financial news platform, CNBC DACH, targeting audiences in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from early 2027. … [Read More...]
Today’s News – As it Happens
Netflix lands global Sony Pay-1 deal, exclusive worldwide from 2029
Netflix and Sony Pictures Entertainment have agreed a global licensing deal that will make Netflix the exclusive Pay-1 streaming home for Sony’s feature films worldwide, following full theatrical and home entertainment windows. … [Read More...]
Telenor launches T-We Boks III in Norway with KAON and ADB
Telenor has launched the T-We Boks III set-top box in Norway, built with Kaon hardware and an Android TV launcher from ADB, in what the partners describe as the foundation for a unified Nordic TV platform. … [Read More...]
News Line
BBC to make YouTube-first shows in commercial partnership
The BBC is preparing to announce a new agreement with YouTube that would see the public broadcaster commission bespoke programmes for the platform for the first time, in a significant change to its distribution strategy.
Big Blue Marble launches TV-as-a-service platform in Germany
Austrian broadcast and streaming service provider Big Blue Marble Group has launched its TV-as-a-service platform in Germany, rolling out a white-label, fully managed IPTV solution aimed at national and regional telecommunications providers and cable operators.
US groups take 80%+ of SVOD and in-video OTT ad revenues in Europe, says Observatory
US-backed players captured more than 80% of revenues from SVOD and in-video OTT advertising in Europe by the end of 2024, according to a new report from the European Audiovisual Observatory.
Music Box adds T-Mobile CZ and Slovak Telekom carriage for 3 channels
Music Box Group has expanded its Central European footprint after Deutsche Telekom subsidiaries T-Mobile Czech Republic and Slovak Telekom added its services to their TV platforms.
Channel 4 claims streaming tipping point for 16-34s
Channel 4 says it led the shift of younger audiences to streaming in 2025, with 16-34 viewers watching the majority of their Channel 4 consumption via streaming for the first time across a full year.
BBC Player launches on Telekom Slovenije
BBC Studios has renewed its multi-year strategic partnership with Telekom Slovenije, extending carriage of BBC Earth and BBC First and adding the BBC Player VOD service to the operator’s NEO platform.
Reemah Sakaan appointed President of 5
Paramount has appointed Reemah Sakaan as President of 5, its UK public service broadcaster.
BBC to give S4C greater prominence on iPlayer
The BBC and S4C have agreed heads of terms on a new streaming partnership that will give S4C programming significantly greater visibility on BBC iPlayer.
bTV Media Group to handle DIZI ad sales in Bulgaria
SPI International has struck a strategic partnership with bTV Media Group, which becomes the exclusive representative for DIZI’s advertising inventory in Bulgaria from 1 January.
UKTV posts record 2025 as U streaming rises and linear share hits new high
UKTV says it delivered its strongest performance on record in 2025, with growth across VOD, linear viewing share and Share of Commercial Impacts (SOCI).
French appeal court backs LFP in Canal+ and beIN Ligue 1 rights dispute
France’s Cour d’appel de Paris has again ruled in favour of the Professional Football League (LFP) and its commercial arm LFP Media, rejecting compensation claims brought by Canal+ and beIN Sports linked to the post-Mediapro reshuffle of Ligue 1 domestic rights.
LNK launches LNK GO OTT service with Backscreen and DAI advertising
Lithuania’s LNK TV Group has launched LNK GO, a new OTT platform built with Backscreen, combining live streaming and on-demand in a single service while keeping the core offer free-to-view.
People
HSE appoints Shona Fraser Senior Director Live Media & Broadcast
German broadcaster HSE has appointed Shona Fraser as Senior Director Live Media & Broadcast, placing the experienced media executive in charge of scaling and developing the company’s operations across TV and digital platforms. … [Read More...]
wedotv names Iza Piotrowska SVP Global Business Development
FAST Channel and AVOD operator wedotv has named Iza Piotrowska Senior Vice-President of Global Business Development, placing the long-standing executive in charge of its international distribution strategy. … [Read More...]
JustWatch appoints HBO Max executive Quentin Carbonell as SVP, Global Content Acquisitions and Strategy
Streaming discovery platform JustWatch has hired former HBO Max and MUBI executive Quentin Carbonell into a newly created role as SVP, Global Content Acquisitions and Strategy. … [Read More...]
Central & East Europe
Liechtenstein court upholds Solorz succession transfer to children
A Liechtenstein court has dismissed an appeal by Polish media tycoon Zygmunt Solorz, clearing the way for control of the foundations that underpin his media and telecoms holdings to pass to his three children. … [Read More...]
EBU renews warning over Lithuania’s LRT dismissal proposals
The European Broadcasting Union has again raised concerns about Lithuanian legislative proposals that would change the procedure for dismissing the Director General of Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), warning the draft could undermine the broadcaster’s institutional independence. … [Read More...]
All aboard the RT Propaganda Train
RT has launched a Moscow Metro train wrap branded as “Propaganda Train” as part of events marking the network’s 20th anniversary. … [Read More...]
TV
Sport1 strikes media-for-equity deal with chess startup Gambit
German broadcaster Sport1 has entered into a strategic partnership with Gambit Technologies, taking a stake in the Swedish tech startup as part of a media-for-equity deal aimed at strengthening its new business activities. … [Read More...]
WBD refreshes UK free-to-air line-up with new-look TLC and 2026 commissions
Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled a refreshed look for its UK free-to-air portfolio, repositioning TLC as a broader entertainment channel and updating the on-air identity across TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Food Network, Really and DMAX. … [Read More...]
HBO Max and discovery+ to stream every Australian Open match
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will carry every match from the 2026 Australian Open across Europe, with full live coverage streaming on HBO Max for the first time and discovery+ continuing to offer the tournament in the UK. … [Read More...]
Editors’ Choice
Freely tops 1m weekly users over Christmas week
Everyone TV says Freely surpassed 1 million weekly users across the Christmas week, doubling since the 500,000 figure announced in September, and making it the fastest-growing TV platform in the UK in 2025. … [Read More...]
Prime Video adds M6+ in France and RTVE live channels in Spain
Amazon Prime Video has struck two new broadcast partnerships in Europe, giving Prime members free access to M6’s streaming service M6+ in France and RTVE’s linear channels in Spain from 14 January 2026. … [Read More...]
Italian watchdog halves DAZN Serie A antitrust fine
Italy’s competition authority has cut DAZN’s antitrust penalty linked to its Serie A distribution deal with Telecom Italia (TIM), reducing the fine from €7,240,250.84 to €3,673,716.63. … [Read More...]
Long Reads
Zattoo: From Platform to Portfolio – The Composable Future of TV
Q&A with Jörg Meyer, CCO, Zattoo Broadband TV News speaks with Jörg Meyer about the company’s new modular product architecture and how it redefines flexibility for operators in the streaming economy.
Interview: ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies combine as Big Blue Marble
ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies have announced the launch of a new joint brand identity.
