# European Broadcast Giant RTL Group Bets on Streaming to Fuel Growth

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/european-broadcast-giant-rtl-group-bets-on-streaming-to-fuel-growth/
- Published: 2026-08-11T06:00:00+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hollywood Reporter
- Original article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/fremantle-parent-rtl-group-bets-on-streaming-to-fuel-growth-1236670765/
- Topics: Entertainment, Europe, TV, World

## Key points

- RTL Group's streaming revenue jumped 27.2% in first-half 2026 results.
- Sky Deutschland deal creates 12.4 million-subscriber streaming business in DACH region.
- Traditional TV advertising and Fremantle production revenue both declined.

## Summary

RTL Group, Europe's largest broadcaster and parent of production giant Fremantle, has reported strong streaming growth in its first-half 2026 results, offsetting weakness in traditional TV advertising and production. The figures, released on Tuesday, mark the company's first results since completing its acquisition of Sky Deutschland from Comcast on 1 June, a deal it is banking on to cement its position in the German-speaking streaming market and drive future growth.

Revenue from RTL's streaming platforms, including RTL+ in Germany and M6+ in France, rose 27.2% to €299 million ($345 million), while TV advertising revenue fell 4% and Fremantle's production revenue dropped 7.7% year-on-year to €835 million ($964 million), which RTL attributed partly to timing, expecting a pickup with new shows including a Baywatch reboot. CEO Clément Schwebig said streaming is now expected to contribute around €100 million ($115 million) to full-year operating profit, and that the Sky Deutschland merger with RTL+ creates a streaming business with 12.4 million paid subscribers across Germany, Austria and Switzerland, making RTL the clear number three player in that market. The group reaffirmed a target of €250 million ($289 million) in annual synergies within three years and forecast full-year revenue of €7.1–7.2 billion ($8.2–8.3 billion) with adjusted EBITA of €725 million ($837 million).

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.