RTL is preparing to offer remedies to EU regulators in a move likely to secure early approval for its planned acquisition of Sky Deutschland.
The broadcaster, majority-owned by Bertelsmann, is expected to submit concessions to the European Commission in the coming days to address competition concerns related to the takeover of the German pay-TV operator, reports Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter. Possible remedies could include outsourcing advertising sales to third parties, an area regulators typically scrutinise in media mergers.
If RTL submits remedies, the Commission’s preliminary review deadline would be extended by 10 working days beyond the current 8 April 2026 deadline, with approval likely at the end of the initial review, according to the report.
The acquisition would combine major sports and entertainment rights, including Bundesliga, Premier League and Formula 1, and strengthen RTL’s position in streaming through Sky’s WOW service. The combined company is aiming to compete more effectively with global streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video in the German market.
The European review follows earlier approval in Germany. In September 2025, German media regulator KEK cleared the transaction, concluding that the combined audience share of RTL Deutschland, Sky Deutschland and NBC Universal Global Networks Deutschland would remain below thresholds indicating dominant opinion power.
The deal is a key part of RTL’s streaming strategy. RTL Group reported revenue of €6.0 billion for 2025, with streaming revenue rising 26% to €509 million and paying subscribers increasing 19% to 8.1 million, making streaming the company’s main growth driver. RTL expects the Sky Deutschland acquisition to strengthen its position in streaming and digital advertising as traditional TV advertising revenues continue to decline.
The transaction covers Sky’s businesses in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. At the presentation of its financial results 2025, RTL Group indicated that it expects to the deal to be closed in the first half of 2026.
