Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Flexible and adaptable: How European broadcasters can take on the global streamers at their own game

23/03/2023

Ampere Analysis Neil Anderson discusses how European broadcasters are playing catch-up in the VoD space, and why working with one another will help them respond to the challenge of the global streaming services

By Jenny Priestley

Published: March 23, 2023 Updated: March 31, 2023

Ampere Analysis' Neil Anderson discusses how European broadcasters are playing catch-up in the VoD space, and why working with one another will help them respond to the challenge of the global streaming services

target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>

From Britbox UK to French streaming service Salto, attempts by European broadcasters to work together and take on the global streaming giants have pretty much fallen flat.

But why is that? And, how can broadcasters stop the big streamers from gaining market dominance? TVBEurope spoke to Ampere Analysis' Neil Andreson to answer those questions and more.

Over the last few years we've seen the likes of Britbox UK and Salto attempt to take on the big streamers before either being rolled into another service or closed completely why do you think that is? With international companies like Netflix and Amazon dominating the VoD space, broadcasters are playing catch up. This is largely a result of a decade worth of half-hearted attempts by broadcasters to shape the European SVoD market, leaving the door wide open for global streamers to amass massive market share. Netflix, Amazon and Disney Plus collectively accounted for roughly 70 per cent of the European SVoD market in 2022, with the offerings of national broadcasters lacking the scale to compete with SVoD giants.

From launch, both Britbox UK and Salto failed to emerge as serious competitors and similar joint streaming ventures in Spain and Germany haven't exactly broken the mould. These streaming alliances have often been marked by various issues: a lack of total commitment from their backers; differing strategic priorities of broadcasters; and the thorny issue of content exclusivity.

Combined services have been seen to be deprioritised by their owners, who are focused more on their individual streaming efforts. While the demise of Salto was triggered by the failed merger of TF1 and M4, Salto's appeal had already been undermined by its backers, with French broadcasters launching subscription versions of their existing BVoD platforms.

These services have seen limited investment in original content, a cornerstone of streaming success, with broadcasters preferring to focus investment on their own services. Additionally, the limited growth market makes it hard to justify the sort of investment needed to seriously compete with the multi-billion content budgets of global streamers

The reality is that it's likely too late for any new homegrown ventures to take direct aim at Netflix, Amazon or Disney Plus. After waiting so long to mount a reasonable challenge, any domestic partnerships will likely be considered expendable services by consumers that are increasingly wedded to the deep catalogues of global streaming services.

Additionally, European audiences have come to expect free access to high-quality local content from BVoD platforms as part of their content consumption mix, making it difficult for consumers to see the benefits of a paid-subscription to a cross-broadcaster platform

Some broadcasters have tried to merge operations with others (RTL Netherlands, Talpa) only for them to fail to meet regulatory approval. How can they meet those requirements? RTL Group has been dealt a double blow after the collapse of the planned merger of French network M6 with TF1, and the decision by Dutch authorities to block the proposed merger of RTL Nederland and Talpa Network. These recent developments have tested the ability of regulators to understand the speed and extent of changes in the global media landscape and the pressures on European broadcasters In both cases, regulatory concerns largely relate to the significant television advertising market share that new entities would potentially command. The remedies needed for the TF1-M6 merger would have included the divestment of one of their main TV channels, undermining the strategic rationale for the merger.

This approach to regulating media mergers, largely based on free-to-air TV advertising market shares, fails to reflect the growing online ad market, the rise of global streamers, and the declining audience share of traditional TV players. However, regulators are right to be cautious of concentrated media ownership in broadcasting, with linear TV still commanding huge audiences in Europe.

The successful merger of TF1 and M6 could have paved the way for a wave of broadcaster mergers across Europe, however these regulatory issues will likely stifle any immediate developments in M&A activity. The growing pressure for consolidation may be difficult for regulators to contain, as they balance concerns around market concentration with the desire to secure the long-term future of local media

Is market consolidation the way forward? If not, how can broadcasters take on the challenge of the global streamers? In recent years, M&A activity in the global media industry has been heating up the recent Warner Bros Discovery merger is just one example. Despite regulatory hurdles, large European broadcasting groups will continue to seriously consider consolidation as an appropriate response to the challenges posed by global streamers.

While national mergers may not yet be acceptable to regulators, MediaForEurope sees pan-European consolidation as the answer to these challenges. On completion of its merger of Spanish and Italian operations, MediaForEurope will have total control of its Spanish and Italian operations as well as being the main shareholder of German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1. This strategy follows in the foots
LINK: https://www.tvbeurope.com/features/flexible-and-adaptable-how-european...
See more stories from tvb

Europe Stories

04/09/2025

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Dalet Win Prestigious 2025 NAB Show Project of the Year Award

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), in collaboration with Dalet, has been a...

09/05/2025

Journalism Under Gender Apartheid: An Interview with Malala Yousafzai and Zahra Joya

At the Frontline Club in London, a venue long associated with media freedom and ...

09/05/2025

Spotify Data Reveals Eurovision 2025 Fan Favorites, With Sweden's KAJ Leading the Pack

As excitement builds for the annual Eurovision Song Contest, Spotify data offers...

09/05/2025

The Future of Consumer Engagement

In our latest blog, Laura Rognoni dives into the shifting currents of change in the digital entertainment landscape, revealing the trends that will keep viewers...

09/05/2025

Sky Original documentary The Girl Who Caught a Killer to air on Sky and streaming service NOW on 25 May

Friday 9 May 2025 Download images HERE Episodes are available on Sky Media Vil...

09/05/2025

Marquis launches Postflux for Pro Tools' audio production management software

New beta programme for Avid Pro Tools users provides versioned backup/archive M...

09/05/2025

RT Statement: Eurovision Song Contest 2025

Further to the comments from RT Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst on Wednesday 7th May included below in which he asked the EBU for a discusion on Israel...

09/05/2025

Tom Brady, Nadine Coyle, Joe Duffy and EMMY among guests on this week's Late Late Show season finale

Here is your host, Patrick Kielty! In the season finale of The Late Late Show, ...

09/05/2025

My Eurovision Party 2025 - join in on the fun with RT Kids and Marty Whelan avatar!

My Eurovision Party 2025 - join in on the fun with RT Kids! Eurovision launche...

08/05/2025

Expected weak market dynamics weigh on business development in the first three months 2025

As expected, continued weak demand from key sales markets and declining economic...

08/05/2025

BBC announces Agatha Christie's Endless Night, adapted by Sarah Phelps

A new three-part series is coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One (Image: The Christie Archive Trust) The BBC has announced Agatha Christie's Endless Night, a...

08/05/2025

VEON Shareholders Re-elect Board at 2025 AGM, Founder Augie Fabela to Serve as Chairman

08 May 2025 VEON Shareholders Re-elect Board at 2025 AGM, Founder Augie Fabela ...

08/05/2025

Will Mellor & Ralf Little return to U&Dave for more Will & Ralf Should Know Better

Comedy and entertainment channel U&Dave bring back their #1 ranked programme of ...

08/05/2025

TenneT Relies on Arvato Systems for Market Communications

TenneT relies on Arvato Systems for market communication Energy industry: Impressive market communication know-how and system integration expertise G tersloh...

08/05/2025

2025-05-08

When Taiki Hamamoto, 22, came across a Hanafuda deck at his local game shop, he was intrigued. He had grown up playing the traditional Japanese card game with f...

08/05/2025

Joe Duffy hangs up his mic on Liveline as he confirms Retirement from RT after 37 Years

The Liveline is now open , said Joe Duffy earlier today, as he previewed this af...

08/05/2025

RT reveals first look at comedy drama The Walsh Sisters, based on novels of Marian Keyes

RT , in association with the BBC, Screen Ireland and Cineflix Rights has reveale...

07/05/2025

Experience a New Dimension of Music Discovery With More Controls and Enhanced Tools

Discovering music should feel effortless and fun. That's why Spotify continu...

07/05/2025

FOX Doubles Down on the Laughs Renewing Comedies Animal Control, Starring Joel McHale, and Going Dutch, Starring Denis Leary

FOX Doubles Down on the Laughs Renewing Comedies Animal Control, Starring Joel M...

07/05/2025

VEON's QazCode Signs MoU with Seekr to Develop AI-Powered Solutions to Drive Digital Growth

07 May 2025 VEON's QazCode Signs MoU with Seekr to Develop AI-Powered Solut...

07/05/2025

U&GOLD commissions feature-length documentary celebrating the life of Victoria Wood

UKTV has ordered a feature length documentary celebrating the life of Britain...

07/05/2025

Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom to join Sky Original film slate in 2026

Wednesday 7 May 2025 Shaun the Sheep fans are in for a baaaarilliant treat in 2...

07/05/2025

Rohde & Schwarz to highlight innovative broadcast technologies at CABSAT 2025

Rohde & Schwarz to highlight innovative broadcast technologies at CABSAT 2025 Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its latest energy-efficient transmitters and 5G Br...

07/05/2025

MPTS. London. May 14-15, 2025

The Importance of Workflow Efficiencies in Post-Production Wednesday, 14 May 14:40 FilmLight sits down with Sam Lempp, head of business development for Nara, ...

07/05/2025

RT Announces Fergal O'Brien as new Business Correspondent

RT News is pleased to announce the appointment of RT journalist, Fergal O'Brien, as its new Business Correspondent. In his new role, Fergal will be repor...

06/05/2025

Spotify Amplifies Colombia's Booming Local Music Scene With Sbele a Eso' Initiative

In Colombia, music isn't just background noise-it's center stage. It'...

06/05/2025

La nueva apuesta de Spotify para destacar la msica local en Colombia: Sbele a Eso'

En Colombia, la m sica no suena de fondo: es el centro del escenario. Es el cora...

06/05/2025

Spotify Introduces Plays, a New Way To See What Content Is Resonating With Podcast Fans

At Spotify, we always seek ways to connect users with their next favorite podcas...

06/05/2025

In Mumbai, Our Public Affairs Chief, Dustee Jenkins, Spotlights the Role of Spotify in the Growth of India's Music Industry

Since Spotify's 2019 launch in India, the growth of the country's local ...

06/05/2025

Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida Enhances Intercom Infrastructure with Clear-Com and...

eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({...

06/05/2025

Comscore Reports First Quarter 2025 Results

Comscore Reports First Quarter 2025 ResultsRESTON, Va., May 6, 2025 Comscore, Inc. (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, transacting and evaluating ...

06/05/2025

KLA to perform live on RT Radio 1's Arena with exclusive preview of new album, Raise the Road

Live from Studio 1 at 7pm, Tuesday May 6 Iconic trad-fusion group K LA will be ...

06/05/2025

Rohde & Schwarz hosts RF Testing Innovations Forum 2025, helping design engineers elevate their RF expertise

Rohde & Schwarz hosts RF Testing Innovations Forum 2025, helping design engineer...

06/05/2025

IBM Accelerates Enterprise Gen AI Revolution with Hybrid Capabilities

LONDON, UK, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today at the company s annual THINK event, IBM (NYSE: IBM) is unveiling new hybrid technologies that break down the long...

06/05/2025

2025-03-18

Apple today introduced Tap to Pay on iPhone in Bulgaria, Finland, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland, enabling millio...

06/05/2025

2025-05-06

Ahead of Pride Month, Apple is introducing a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Band, watch face, and iPhone and iPad wallpaper to celebrate the strength and b...

06/05/2025

Tracks & Trails returns for a fresh new season

First episode airs this Friday at 8pm on RT One and RT Player with Doireann N Ghlac in presenting Guests include Barry Murphy, Brooke Scullion, Bryan Dobso...

05/05/2025

Loreen, Nemo, and More Reimagine Eurovision Anthems for Spotify Singles

As Europe gears up for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Spotify is celebrating the spirit of unity and musical legacy with a new series of Spotify Singles. Fiv...

05/05/2025

Closure of SGL Carbon production site in Lavradio

As part of the restructuring of its loss-making Carbon Fibers business unit, SGL Carbon has decided to close its production site in Lavradio (Portugal). Lavradi...

05/05/2025

Comscore Launches Certified Deal IDs in Magnite's SSP, Bringing Trusted Content Rankings to Programmatic Buying

Comscore Launches Certified Deal IDs in Magnite's SSP, Bringing Trusted Cont...

02/05/2025

Following Landmark Court Ruling, Spotify Submits New App Update to Apple to Benefit U.S. Consumers

Updated May 9, 2025: Earlier this morning Spotify submitted a new update. If app...

02/05/2025

Spotify and FC Barcelona Collab With Travis Scott on a Special Cactus Jack Shirt and Exclusive Concert

Since 2022, Spotify and FC Barcelona have brought the worlds of music and footba...

02/05/2025

Spotify Sparks UK Returns To Bring Together Advertisers and Creators

With more than 678 million users worldwide tuned in to Spotify, we're at the heart of music and culture. Our unrivaled global community of artists, songwrit...

02/05/2025

IBM partners with Data Communications Company to Advance Great Britain's Smart Meter Network

Data Communications Company has announced its partnership with IBM to modernise ...

02/05/2025

Comscore at the 20th Annual Needham Technology, Media, & Consumer Conference

Comscore at the 20th Annual Needham Technology, Media, & Consumer Conference RESTON, Va., May 2 2025: Comscore (Nasdaq: SCOR), a trusted partner for planning, t...

02/05/2025

VEON to release 1Q25 trading update on May 15, 2025

02 May 2025 VEON to release 1Q25 trading update on May 15, 2025 Dubai, May 2, 2025 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital operator, today confirms that t...

02/05/2025

2025-05-01

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced financial results for its fiscal 2025 second quarter ended March 29, 2025. The Company posted quarterly revenue of $...

02/05/2025

New RT Series Uncharted with Ray Goggins pushes well-known faces to their limits

Well-known faces pushed to their limits in Uncharted with Ray Goggins...