Following an agreement between Swiss-based live streaming service Zattoo and the RTL Deutschland media group, six RTL channels will be added to the line-up.
The move will bring the channels, RTL, Vox, N-tv, RTL Nitro, Super RTL and RTL II, to all screens on which the Zattoo platform is available. This includes Smartphones, tablets, smart TVs from Samsung and LG, Xbox 360, the VideoWeb TV box as well as on PCs, Macs and laptops via the online portal online zattoo.com.
The six channels will be added later this year and will be part of the HiQ premium bouquet, which requires a monthly subscription.
“With the distribution of our channels through Zattoo viewers have another option to receive our free linear TV services via the internet,” said Andre Prahl , responsible for distribution at RTL Deutschland.
“That brings another alternative in particular also ideal for users who want to receive our channels via wireless devices such as tablet PCs or smartphones.”
Nick Brambring, CEO, Zattoo, added: “This is a milestone. The German market for live TV on the internet has enormous growth potential. We very pleased with the trust RTL put in us and our product. The cooperation can be groundbreaking. Zattoo is a reliable and attractive partner for broadcasters. Winners are of course the users who can receive live television on all major devices connected to the internet. ”
Broadband TV Views.The agreement between Zattoo and RTL is indeed groundbreaking. Until now, broadcasters have been reluctant to sign distribution agreements with alternative and OTT streaming services. Thanks to the deal with Zattoo, the RTL channels can now be viewed anywhere where there is a broadband internet connection.
Zattoo was originally launched as an online service, but thanks to connected boxes (Xbox, Videoweb), the service can now also be accessed on regular TV sets and recent deals with Samsung and LG have also brought the live streaming channels directly to the TV without the need of additional equipment.
The agreeement between RTL and Zattoo is also good news for Swedisch cloud TV service Magine, which also intend to launch in Germany later this year as the deal signals willingness of a large private broadcaster to offer their live channels on alternative platforms.
