M7 Group will close Diveo, its TV platform on Astra (19.2° East) for DTH satellite households in Germany, on November 30, 2019.
Despite an innovative, excellent end-user product at a very competitive price, Diveo has failed to match expectations and growth as on cable and IPTV, according to an M7 statement, adding that the group regrets this step and has already informed subscribers and partners of the platform.
The established B2B business remains unaffected, stresses the company. “M7 Group continues its successful B2B business in Germany for cable and IPTV markets and remains firmly convinced of the high potential for pay-TV. This year, the market position as a leading provider of TV content and related services for cable and IPTV platform operators in Germany and neighbouring countries Austria and Switzerland has been further strengthened and expanded.”
Diveo launched in February 2018 as a hybrid platform, combining HD channels via satellite with additional channels, features and services reaching viewers’ screens via the internet. M7 Group never released subscriber figures.
The decision to discontinue Diveo could be associated with the acquisition of M7 Group by French TV broadcaster Canal+. The Vivendi subsidiary is possibly wanting to divest itself of unprofitable business areas.
With the DTH satellite version of DVB-T2 platform Freenet TV, which launched in March 2018, there is now only one competitor remaining for HD+, the German HD platform operated by Astra satellite operator SES.
The closure of Diveo is “not really surprising” for HD+, as Timo Schneckenburger, managing director marketing and sales of HD Plus, told Broadband TV News. “After all, HD+ has been on the market for 10 years. As a pioneer, market leader and innovation driver. We are therefore very close to manufacturers, retailers and over 2 million HD+ households, so you can feel trends earlier than others.”
“When Diveo started, we were happy about new impulses for the HD market,” said Schneckenburger. “However, we quickly realised that neither the product nor the marketing had developed a particularly strong appeal. And, as it is the case in the television business: In the end, it’s the viewer who decides.”
