German private broadcasters RTL Deutschland and ProSiebenSat.1 are working on a single, common online TV platform to offer free access to private and public catch-up TV programmes. The new platform will be available in Germany and Austria.
ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG and Media Group RTL Deutschland GmbH, through its subsidiary RTL interactive GmbH, are planning a joint venture for the operation of an open technical platform for catch-up TV. Public broadcasters will be welcome to join the platform, which will offer programmes up to seven days after their original broadcast.
Programmes will be streamed, rather than made available to download. Access to the content will be free of charge to the viewer. The programming and marketing of the content will remain in the hands of the respective broadcasters. The planned platform is subject to approval by the competent European Commission Directorate General for Competition. An application for approval is submitted today.
For the operation of the platform, ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG and RTL interactive GmbH are planning to set up a joint company which will take care of the necessary technical services such as hosting and streaming.