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
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
21/08/2026
Hardware-style timing shifts for software instruments
Following on from the release of Omniclock, Rapid Flow have launched a new sequencer plug-in that can ...
21/08/2026
Highly anticipated synthesizer ships in October 2026
Iceland-based Love Synthesizers have announced that their highly anticipated synthesizer is now availab...
21/08/2026
Masterpiece PBS The Forsytes has expanded its cast as its begins production in ...
21/08/2026
The BBC has unveiled first-look pictures from The Witch Farm, a new ghost story and mystery set in the Welsh countryside, coming soon to BBC iPlayer and BBC One...
21/08/2026
The BBC and BritBox have revealed the first look of Edward Bluemel as Hercule Poirot in the forthcoming six-part series Hercule from Mammoth Screen and Agatha C...
21/08/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
21/08/2026
** MEDIA ALERT **
VIZ Media Takes Over Anime NYC with BLEACH, BLACK TORCH, M...
21/08/2026
Tell us a little bit about your job I'm a Marketing Manager and work across a mix of clients and projects. No two days are ever quite the same, which defini...
21/08/2026
Beat The Lotto dives into the plot behind the 1980s National Lottery scandal
24 August 2026 at 9:35pm on RT One and RT Player
Beat The Lotto is the story o...
21/08/2026
The countdown to the most wonderful night of the year has officially begun!
Host Patrick Kielty is gearing up for another unforgettable Late Late Toy Show nig...
21/08/2026
Meet puppet duo Bellie and Whizz, who are about to explore all the big feelings ...
20/08/2026
Set up your own private remote collaboration infrastructure
SoundBridge have recently put together a tutorial video that provides users with a step-by-step ...
20/08/2026
New V-Control Pro features restore basic functionality
Neyrinck's V-Control software has long been keeping older Avid control surfaces compatible with n...
20/08/2026
TV, BritBox and Mammoth Screen have announced that filming is now underway on th...
20/08/2026
Thursday 20 August 2026
Nina Sosanya, Rizzle Kicks, Roman Kemp and Paul Whiteho...
20/08/2026
Wuppertal August 20, 2026
Transformation Church Elevates Production Communicat...
20/08/2026
The music between the notes Coming together In the middle of 2026, as conversations around artificial intelligence continue to raise questions about how musi...
20/08/2026
Arvato Systems Brings Together Digital Transformation Leaders in the Manufacturi...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
Company launch with stereo-imaging tool
Panoramic is the debut release from Panorama Labs, a new company formed by mastering engineer Nicholas Di Lorenzo. C...
18/08/2026
Control software now available for older interfaces
Focusrite have just announced the launch of an update that extends Control 2 software support for their ...
18/08/2026
Tuesday 18 August 2026
Sky Sports and The Fast and the Curious announce new partnership
Sky Sports and The Fast and the Curious have announced a new long-term...
18/08/2026
Wuppertal August 18, 2026
Riedel Brings Professional Live Production Into the Classrooms of ECURiedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan Universi...
18/08/2026
Apple today announced changes to its business terms for apps in the European Uni...
18/08/2026
THE HEALY RAES: BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS AIRS WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19 ON RT ONE AT 9:35PM
A new documentary The Healy-Raes: Blood, Sweat & Tears airs on RT One and ...
18/08/2026
Stunning Irish performances at European Athletics and Swimming Championships rea...
18/08/2026
The two-part series begins Sunday 23 August at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player
...
17/08/2026
New MIDI processor & macro controller revealed
SHIK have announced that they have opened pre-orders for the S32, a standalone MIDI processor and macro contr...
17/08/2026
Cover extended on innovative motorised pot system
Melbourne Instruments have just revealed that the innovative motorised pot system used in their synths and...
17/08/2026
Latest firmware version now available
1010music have just released a free firmware update that brings some nice new features to their renowned Bluebox digit...
17/08/2026
Rohde & Schwarz showcases integrated defense and test solutions at DALO Industry...
17/08/2026
Calrec's ImPulseV Virtualised Audio Mixing Engine joins NEP Platform, the industry's largest ecosystem of trusted production software, bringing scalable...
17/08/2026
Visitors to IBC 2026 will see how FilmLight is reshaping the modern post pipelin...
17/08/2026
Visitors to Stand 1.C41 can explore innovations in areas such as addressable advertising, hybrid distribution, managed services and operational simplification.
...
16/08/2026
Virtual drummer joins line-up
The latest release from Gospel Musicians adds a virtual drummer to the company's line-up, combining a pair of meticulously...
15/08/2026
In-ear monitoring line-up gains new universal models
In-ear monitoring experts JH Audio have just announced a significant expansion of their Universal-Fit r...
14/08/2026
Latest instalment delivers disco-inspired grooves
The latest addition to UJAM's virtual drum line-up has been designed with contemporary pop, disco, dan...
14/08/2026
Elite range gains giant 24-inch powered sub
The latest expansion of Yorkville's Elite range introduces what the company say is the world's first act...
14/08/2026
Friday 14 August 2026
Breaking news! Sky releases trailer for The Paper, return...
14/08/2026
It's been one year since our client, Cotswolds Designer Outlet, opened its doors and we've loved seeing the scheme come to life. Together, we've hel...
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
