RTL Plus, the streaming service from RTL Group, is adding content from across parent company Bertelsmann as it looks to take on the dominance of Netflix, Amazon and Disney Plus.
This week, the US-owned launched games on its Android app. Now RTL’s offering is going a step further by offering subscribers e-books and podcasts from publishing subsidiary Random House, articles and reporting from the Gruner + Jahr magazine group, whose titles include national news magazine Stern, and thousands of songs available for streaming from music service Deezer.
RTL Plus launches in Germany today, with the non-video content set to be added in Q2 2022.
The RTL group said it is now aiming for 10 million paying subscribers for RTL Plus and Videoland and for €1 billion ($1.15 billion) streaming revenue by the end of 2026, which would make it a competitor to the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus and HBO Max in Europe.
RTL Group CEO Thomas Rabe said: “We will create Germany’s first cross-media champion, offering our audiences the most diverse spectrum of high-quality entertainment and independent information.
“RTL Group has defined clear targets for its growth businesses of streaming, addressable TV advertising and content and we will have the financial flexibility and capabilities to further boost these businesses to create value for our viewers, clients and shareholders,” added Rabe.
