RTL Deutschland Enhances FAST Channel Lineup with Harmonic Partnership

RTL Deutschland, a German broadcaster, has expanded its RTL+ streaming service by adding eight new free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels. These channels, introduced in June, are supported by Harmonic's VOS360 Media SaaS, which streamlines various stages of media processing, including graphics insertion, playout, OTT encoding and distribution.

The integration of these additional FAST channels into RTL Deutschland’s platform was managed by netorium, a Wiesbaden-based application integrator. Leveraging its expertise in RTL’s infrastructure and its longstanding relationship with Harmonic, netorium ensured a seamless implementation, considering existing systems and device compatibility. The deployment was iterative, allowing for adjustments and testing, with netorium providing consulting, design, implementation, and ongoing support.

Andre Prahl, RTL Deutschland’s chief distribution officer, highlighted the ease of launching the eight channels without significant investment, thanks to the software-as-a-service model. This approach allows for flexible adaptation to viewer preferences.

The new channels are themed around some of RTL’s most popular content, enabling targeted engagement with specific audience segments. Gil Rudge, senior vice president at Harmonic, emphasized that to succeed, video streaming services need to be precisely tailored to their viewers. Harmonic's VOS360 Media platform enables RTL to quickly create and scale these channels, offering flexibility in costs, as RTL only pays for what is used.