The transformation from broadcaster to platform was under discussion in the ANGA session Streaming and TV: New Concepts for the perfect Mix.
The market remains focussed on what will happen to Joyn, Discovery’s joint-venture with ProSiebenSat.1, once Discovery+ is launched later this year. Susanne Aigner, managing director, Discovery GSA & Benelux wouldn’t be drawn, but did say the new streaming service would make its debut in the German market later this year. Discovery+ would initially be exclusive to Sky homes before being made widely available as a standalone service.
Programmes would receive their premier on Discovery+ before later being transferred to DMAX and TLC.
Matthias Dang, Co-CEO RTL Deutschland, CEO Ad Alliance, RTL Deutschland spoke about the success of RTL+. As previously reported in Broadband TV News the streaming service has 3.172 million subscribers, a number bolstered by a sweetheart deal with Deutsche Telekom. With a nod to Amazon, Dang revealed plans to add a music service and audio books, the latter through Random House, as part of a larger bundle. “This is a full scale service that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world,” he said.
There were questions for Amazon too; was the three million streams that Prime Video received for coverage of the recent Bayern München-Real Madrid Champions League match sufficient? Dr. Christoph Schneider, managing director, Amazon Prime Video said it could be assumed that with 2 people typically sat in front of the TV together the audience could be double. Another source had put the audience figure at closer to 2.3 million.
“I’m not going to complain,” said Dang. “But is that a good number for a Champions League match. Of course, I’m envious that we don’t have those rights too. RTL had 1.7 million for Sunday evening, but we’re talking about Champions League.”
Amazon will launch its AVOD service Freevee in the German market later this year. It’s anticipated Freevee will attract new audiences to Amazon.
Dr Schneider said there was a limit to series and drama on Amazon Prime Video, hence Amazon’s interest in sport, though there were no plans to go into news.
