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

Most recent headlines

06/10/2025

France Tlvisions Wins Prestigious 2025 EBU Technology & Innovation Award in Groundbreaking Collaboration with Dalet

France T l visions, France's leading broadcaster, has received the 2025 EBU ...

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...

03/07/2025

Introducing: New Carts

For our Vario-Jib, as well as for a repertoire of weights, we now have carts that make transport easier...

03/07/2025

Introducing: Slider Drive Unit

One of our latest innovations: Slider Drive Unit! Our Vario Slider not only comes with improvements and new features, but also with its own drive unit! Our i...

03/07/2025

Introducing: ARRI EVO 360

The 360 EVO lives up to its name: 360-degree rotation not only on the pan axis, but also on the roll axis, enables filmmakers to take their creative visions eve...

03/07/2025

Panther at BSC EXPO 2025

What a buzzing few days at BSCExpo in London! We were thrilled to connect with so many talented professionals from the world of cinematography. A huge thank ...

03/07/2025

"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode

ADOLESCENCE - Shot with Panther Tower"The whole rig had to be detachable mid-episode Netflix limited drama series Adolescence has been gaining attentio...

03/07/2025

Advanced Communication Systems Unleash a Tactical Advantage in Modern Combat Operations

To achieve a true level of decisive overmatch, communication systems must be as ...

03/07/2025

Paramount's Ray Hopkins Joins Broadcasters Foundation Board

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has named Ray Hopkins, president of U.S. distribution at Paramount Global, to its board of directors....

03/07/2025

FCC Chair Carr Lays Out Infrastructure Policy Agenda

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. In his first major policy speech, Federal Communications Commissions Chair Brendan Carr outlined his Build America Agenda for the agency'...

03/07/2025

TV Tech's Top NextGen TV Stories of 2025

As the industry is making a major push to transition to NextGen TV broadcasting and develop new businesses that will fund the next generation of broadcasting, T...

03/07/2025

Netflix Rolls Out AV1 Film Grain Synthesis Streams for Film Content

Despite enabling its subscribers to watch films and TV shows in the highest possible resolution, Netflix has revealed it is taking things old school with the in...

03/07/2025

FCC's Gomez, Sen. Markey, Critics Blast Paramount-Trump Settlement

WASHINGTON In response to news that Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, Democrats and other administra...

03/07/2025

Riedel Communications Unveils RefSuite Sports Ecosystem

WUPPERTAL, Germany Riedel Communications today launched RefSuite for professional sports workflows....

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team

WEITERSTADT, Germany LYNX Technik, a provider of modular signal processing solutions, has announced that founder and longtime CEO Winfried Deckelmann is steppin...

03/07/2025

CTA, NCTA, LPTVBA Meet With FCC to Oppose NAB's ATSC 3.0 Petition

WASHINGTON Representatives from six trade groups representing tech, pay TV, broadband, LPTV and other sectors recently met with Federal Communications Commissio...

03/07/2025

Dan Whealy Acquires Heartland Video Systems

PLYMOUTH, Wis. Dan Whealy has acquired Heartland Video Systems and will be its new owner and president, the systems integrator said....

03/07/2025

Filmmaker Jay Holben Releases The Directors Guide to Ever...

Acclaimed filmmaker, educator, and industry veteran Jay Holben has released his most ambitious work to date: The Director's Guide to Everything a sweeping...

03/07/2025

Capturing the Moment - Pruski Photographs Dyke Day LA wit...

For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city's legacy queer community and...

03/07/2025

New Reinvented Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit

Modular, Travel-Ready Solution Matthews Studio Equipment launches the new Chimera V-Flat Panel Frame Kit, the lightweight and modular, ultra-durable alternativ...

03/07/2025

Dalet Flex LTS Release Elevates Content Workflows with Ne...

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the release of Dalet Flex 2025.6 LTS (long-term support), introdu...

03/07/2025

Lightware launches LARA Wizard to help integrators simpli...

Lightware's LARA Wizard makes it quicker and easier than ever to set up audio-visual (AV) room automation and control configurations, ensuring anyone, from ...

03/07/2025

Alfalite obtains NCAGE and TAA certifications strengtheni...

Alfalite, the only European manufacturer of LED screens, has obtained both the NCAGE Code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) and TAA (Trade Agreements Act)...

03/07/2025

WIN streamlines complex live production with nxtedition

nxtedition is implementing a new solution for WIN Network, based in its headquarters in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. The nxtedition integrated platfo...

03/07/2025

ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies unite under one br...

ORS Group and Insys Video Technologies today announce the launch of a new joint brand identity: Big Blue Marble. The move reflects the evolution of a long-stand...

03/07/2025

Evergent Proves Cross-Industry Power of AI for Japanese G...

Evergent, a global leader in customer lifecycle management and monetization solutions for subscription-based businesses, today announced the successful results ...

03/07/2025

LYNX Technik Appoints New Executive Leadership Team to Dr...

LYNX Technik, provider of modular signal processing solutions today announces an executive leadership transition, effective July 1, 2025. Markus Motzko has been...

03/07/2025

Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender

Chaos Releases V-Ray for Blender Brie Clayton July 2, 2025 0 Comments Production-Proven Renderer V-Ray Arrives Natively in Blender for the First Time;...

03/07/2025

Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams

Calvin University Adds Blackmagic Replay to Broadcasts and Streams Brie Clayton July 2, 2025 0 Comments Replay workflow joins 14 Blackmagic Design cam...

03/07/2025

Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Alpert Visiting Artist

Berklee's Gospel Performance Program Welcomes Jonathan Nelson as the Herb Al...

03/07/2025

Centralized Cross-Platform Campaigns and Unified Sales Workflows with WO Fusion

In today's fragmented media landscape, advertisers expect more than just reach - they want seamless cross-platform campaigns that deliver measurable results...

03/07/2025

** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Expo 2025

** MEDIA ALERT ** Shonen Jump Store Hosting Los Angeles Pop-up During Anime Exp...

03/07/2025

Sky Arts Unveils New Mozart Season, Celebrating the Legacy of Classicals Greatest Maestro

Thursday 3 July 2025 David Harewood and Matthew Broome in Mozart: Genius for Hi...

03/07/2025

Sky announces 2025 Sky WNT Fund Recipients

The Sky WNT Fund supports Womens National Team players with a 30,000 bursaryThursday 3 July 2025 Sky Ireland has announced the four recipients of the 2025 Sky...

03/07/2025

GeForce NOW's 20 July Games Bring the Heat to the Cloud

The forecast this month is showing a 100% chance of epic gaming. Catch the scorching lineup of 20 titles coming to the cloud, which gamers can play whether indo...

02/07/2025

Release Rundown: What to Watch in July, From FOLKTALES to Oh, Hi!

Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...

02/07/2025

IGUALADA Beats the Odds in the Ultimate Underdog Tale

(Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival) By Patty Consolazio This one's for any person who's ever felt put down, left out, marginaliz...

02/07/2025

NAB 2025: Calrec expands ecosystem providing ultimate flexibility

Calrec expands ecosystem at NAB 2025 giving broadcasters access to dynamic workflows and ultimate flexibility Helping broadcasters meet the shifting needs of me...

02/07/2025

Paramount Settles Trump Lawsuit for $16 Million

NEW YORK Paramount Global has agreed to pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump, ending a long-running legal saga that could clear the way...

02/07/2025

FCC Approves Sale of Sinclair Stations to Rincon

WASHINGTON The Federal Communications Commission has approved the transfer of licenses for five TV stations from Sinclair to Rincon Broadcasting, which announce...

02/07/2025

TV Tech's Top Stories of 2025

As the media industry faces an uncertain business climate and rapidly changing consumer habits, TV Tech's most popular stories from the first six months of ...

02/07/2025

Average U.S. Home Now Has Two Smart TVs

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. New data shows that U.S. homes now own an average of two smart TVs, with Samsung and LG dominating the market but Roku and FireTV continue to g...

02/07/2025

Oaktree Acquires FilmRise

LOS ANGELES Funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management have acquired FilmRise, an independent digital streaming content distributor, and merged it with Shout! ...

02/07/2025

ATSC Names Luiz Fausto Vice President of Standards Development

WASHINGTON The Advanced Television Systems Committee named Luiz Fausto vice president of standards development, succeeding ATSC vice president Jerry Whitaker, w...

02/07/2025

Boston Conservatory and the Sphinx Organization Join Forces to Make Classical Education Accessible

Boston Conservatory and the Sphinx Organization Join Forces to Make Classical Ed...

02/07/2025

VEON Raises USD 200 Million in Private Bond Placement

02 Jul 2025 VEON Raises USD 200 Million in Private Bond Placement Dubai, July 1, 2025: VEON Ltd. (Nasdaq: VEON), a global digital operator ( VEON ), announces ...

02/07/2025

Dom Chinea opens his Cornish Workshop for new series on U&YESTERDAY and U

Brand new factual series follows mechanic and self-taught engineer Dom Chinea as he makes the move of his life to the far west of Cornwall UKTV today announces...

02/07/2025

World RX of Sweden: Aurora's Matt Beal on Taking Up the Broadcast Reins Alongside the FIA

Progressive realism: Aurora on taking up the broadcast reins for World RX alongs...

02/07/2025

World RX of Sweden: Getting the Production Together With NEP Finland, Cloudbass Graphics

Great speed: New host broadcaster Aurora on getting the World RX 2025 season pro...