RTL and Sky combine forces: A new TV age begins!

RTL and Sky combine forces: A new TV age begins!

On June 27, 2025, the RTL Group signed a binding agreement on the acquisition of Sky Germany. This merger between RTL Germany and Sky Germany will affect both streaming services and the traditional television content of the company. The new offer is intended to offer a wide range of entertainment, sports and information, both in streaming as well as in free and pay TV. After the merger, the number of paying subscribers will amount to around 11.5 million, which represents a significant extension of the range for RTL. Stephan Schmitter, CEO of RTL Germany, emphasizes the advantages of the combined brands and emphasizes that Sky Germany, as a leading provider in the sports area, is a valuable addition.

sky Germany not only brings renowned sports rights into merger, but also numerous premium content, including exclusive series, films and documentation. As part of this transaction, annual investments of around 2.5 billion euros are planned to attractive content. Barny Mills, the CEO of Sky Germany, will remain in its function until the transaction is completed, while Stephan Schmitter is to become CEO of the merged company after completing. Despite the merger, the companies are operated independently up to the official approval that is expected for 2026.

purchase details and perspectives

The purchase price for Sky Germany is 150 million euros, without cash and debts, and there is also an earn-out option for comcast that depends on the RTL Group's share price. This variable remuneration could be up to 377 million euros within five years if the share price reaches 70 euros. RTL Group expected to implement synergies of around 250 million euros annually within three years. The combination of the two companies will generate a pro-forma sales of 4.6 billion euros for 2024, of which around 45 % of subscription-based sales come.

The takeover of Sky Germany is the largest transaction for the RTL Group since its foundation in 2000. Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group, emphasizes the transformative effect of the fusion and the possibilities that result in consumers in the roof region. This new, bundled program offer will combine the most important entertainment and news brands from RTL with the comprehensive sports rights of Sky, which will strengthen the position of both companies in the competition for spectators.

market environment and changes in streaming

The Fusion of RTL and Sky comes at a time when video streaming changes the media landscape in Germany. Today, consumers have freedom to consume content according to their own wishes without being bound to fixed broadcasts. The emergence of streaming services has created new dynamics, and the combination of the offers from RTL and Sky will significantly improve the experience of spectators. According to Statista, spectators are increasingly using platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, who have established themselves as key players in the German streaming market.

With the merging of RTL and Sky's resources, a more attractive content portfolio for consumers in the roof region is created. In addition, RTL will receive the license to use the Sky brand in this region and in other countries, which further strengthens the brand portfolio and contributes to the consolidation of the market position. The expectations are high: with a combined offer that includes free and pay TV with a rapidly growing streaming service, the new company could compete with the best providers on the market and continue to promote its growth in the coming years.