RTL buys Disney out of Super RTL

Super RTL, M6 and Alpha’s Petronix Defenders

European media giant RTL Group has taken full ownership of German kids’ network Super RTL, buying out its previous joint-venture partner, The Walt Disney Company.

RTL Group said the acquisition was designed to support the growth plan of its streaming platform TV Now and is the latest step in its strategy to consolidate across its existing European broadcast footprint.

In 2019, RTL Group’s French broadcasting business, M6 Group, completed the acquisition of the country’s leading free-to-air children’s channel, Gulli, and five pay TV channels from Lagardère.

The company is reportedly seeking buyers for M6 Group.

Most recently, RTL Group acquired the outstanding shareholdings in RTL Belgium’s TV and radio businesses, taking its ownership in the company to 100%.

Super RTL was founded in 1995 as a 50/50 joint venture between RTL Group and The Walt Disney Company.

With its umbrella brands Toggo and Toggolino, Super RTL has developed into a digital entertainment company, distributing its content via linear TV channels, the RTL streaming service TV Now, digital radio and a variety of apps and websites.

The transaction is subject to approval from the German and Austrian competition authorities.

Super RTL and M6 recently teamed up with Chinese toy maker and media group Alpha to commission Petronix Defenders, an environmental cartoon series from Mediawan-owned ON Kids & Family.