A PYMNTS Company

RTL Wins Unconditional EU Approval for Sky Deutschland Acquisition

By  |  April 22, 2026

European broadcaster RTL Group has secured unconditional antitrust approval from the European Commission for its planned acquisition of Sky Deutschland, marking a significant step in reshaping Europe’s media landscape.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The decision, announced Wednesday, clears the way for RTL to expand its footprint in premium sports and entertainment. According to Reuters, regulators concluded that the transaction would not raise competition concerns across the European market, allowing the deal to proceed without conditions.

    RTL, which is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, stands to gain access to high-value sports broadcasting rights through the acquisition. These include coverage of top-tier competitions such as the Bundesliga, Premier League soccer, and Formula 1, along with Sky’s WOW streaming platform. Per Reuters, the move is expected to strengthen RTL’s position in Germany’s competitive media sector.

    The merger is seen as a strategic response to mounting pressure from global streaming giants like Netflix, Disney, and Amazon Prime Video, which have increasingly dominated the entertainment market. By combining resources, RTL aims to better compete with these international players.

    The European Commission also reviewed concessions proposed by RTL last month, including plans to outsource advertising sales to third parties. However, according to Reuters, regulators ultimately determined that such remedies were unnecessary.

    “We looked carefully at this deal, and ultimately found no evidence that this acquisition would raise any competition concerns,” EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera said in a statement.

    She added, “The transaction will allow well-established European media groups to consolidate their position at a time when the industry is transforming, and they are facing increasing pressure from global streaming platforms.”

    Reuters had previously reported that the deal was likely to receive early approval, reflecting a broader shift in regulatory thinking. Ribera is currently working on revising EU merger rules to make it easier for European companies to scale up and compete globally, particularly against rivals from the United States and China.

    The approval underscores a growing willingness among European regulators to support consolidation within the region’s media industry as it adapts to rapid technological change and intensifying global competition.

    Source: Reuters