Rivalries and camaraderie unfolding in synchronous broadcasts
In the rapidly evolving world of streaming, Germany is witnessing a surge of new players and updates to existing services.
The German market is showing signs of caution towards plans for a "super streamer" based on the Austrian model, as ProSiebenSat.1 pushes forward with its streaming offer Joyn. Joyn, a successor to 7TV, offers free live TV from over 60 German broadcasters and a vast media library, including originals and exclusives. It can be accessed without registration, with a paid tier called Joyn PLUS+ offering additional content and no ads on its exclusive titles.
Meanwhile, Deutsche Telekom, in its role as a "Super-Aggregator", is updating Magenta TV with a new user interface and expanded program packages. Magenta TV now includes ad-supported versions of Netflix, Disney+, RTL+, and more, all for €17 per month—below the monthly cost of a premium Netflix subscription.
Another player in the game is Zattoo, which is attracting new customers by offering a service cheaper than cable TV. Monthly cancellable, prices start at 13.99 euros per month. Zattoo now streams over 200 TV channels on all devices, and it has partnered with platforms like waipu.tv and Samsung TV Plus to offer DAZN's sports streaming, with its linear and ad-funded specialty channels, for free.
The FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) wave is also bringing more free content to these platforms. For example, waipu's largest package includes Netflix without ads plus 270 channels for 29.49 euros.
ARTE, the public broadcaster, is also making waves in the streaming world. The ARTE app is now available on various smart TV platforms, including Roku, starting mid-April. ARTE recorded over two billion video views in its online offer in 2023, and thousands of hours of programming are available on arte.tv for free in six languages.
Streaming platforms are not just about content aggregation. Sky Q, Roku, Magenta TV, and others are also offering services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and DAZN. Evelyn Rothblum, Executive Vice President Advertising, Partnerships & Distribution at Sky Germany, recently discussed the concept of "frenemies" in streaming.
For more insights and interesting reads around these topics, visit the blog of the MEDIENTAGE. The MEDIENTAGE MÜNCHEN podcast also offers inspiring content. The #MTM SPECIAL FUTURE VIDEO 2024, taking place on April 24, 2024, at the House of Communication in Munich, will provide answers to questions about the future of video. Stay tuned for more updates in this exciting and dynamic field!
