The Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland is terminating operation of its pay TV channel “RTL International“.
The final transmission day for the linear offering will be May 31st 2017. The channel and its programme, aimed at a German-speaking audience and tourists overseas, was launched at the beginning of 2016. The programme can be received via platforms (satellite, cable, IPTV, OTT) in such places as the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, among others. It can also be received on a host of cruise ships, as well worldwide via livestream per App (Android/iOS) for tablets and Smartphones and online. The international channel of the Mediengruppe RTL features current RTL content in HD quality.
Stefan Sporn, Senior Vice President International Distribution remarked: “We very much regret the discontinuation of this channel. Although we quickly managed to achieve reasonable international distribution, the number of subscribers did not develop as positively as hoped, making it not possible to operate profitably in the foreseeable future. Initial analyses clearly indicate that the success of internationally operating pirate platforms which illegally stream the transmission signals of a host of German broadcasters free-of-charge on the internet is playing a critical role in this development.“
After discontinuation of the linear signal of RTL International, the Mediengruppe RTL intends to proceed making its content available to Germans overseas via OTT offerings in future. Corresponding options are currently under consideration.
For further information, visit RTL’s website (in German) by clicking here.
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