DPG Media, Telenet Prep New Flemish Streaming Service

The Belgian media company DPG Media is aligning with Telenet to launch a new streaming service for the Flemish market this year.

Telenet currently has 400,000 customers for its Play and Play More services, while DPG operates the AVOD VTM GO and has developed a platform for its own paid streaming service. The companies will pool their resources to launch a joint platform this year as a standalone paid app and via the Play service. The JV will deliver content from DPG Media’s assets (which include VTM) and Telenet’s local and international content. The platform is looking to other Flemish partners, such as VRT, to join the service.

Kris Vervaet, CEO of DPG Media Belgium, noted, “We have long been advocating a solid Flemish streaming service. We have always hoped to do this with local partners, as this opens up far more opportunities to successfully challenge the international players. We are very pleased to be able to join forces with Telenet. We both firmly believe that we can develop a highly attractive offering that will make the difference with homegrown content. This is simply good news for the consumer and for the media landscape as a whole.”

John Porter, CEO of Telenet, added, “Telenet has always believed in the power of collaboration within the local media ecosystem to face the pressure on the Flemish market from international TV players. Telenet has taken the first important steps in that respect with the acquisition of De Vijver Media (Woestijnvis, the channels VIER, VIJF and ZES). Today, Telenet and DPG Media join forces to take the next step. The joint venture does not need to start from an entirely new business model, but from an existing solid customer base of more than 400,000 subscribers. That should constitute sufficient guarantee to successfully write a new chapter in Flemish media history.”

The 50-50 JV is pending approval from the local competition authorities. Once it received the green light, the new company is expected to be operational by the fall. The name of the platform, pricing and launch date have not been confirmed.