RTL Netherlands takes aim at Netflix with Videoland deal

RTL Netherlands has acquired Dutch video-on-demand service Videoland as it aims to move into subscription video-on-demand and fend off competition from Netflix.

RTL Netherlands announced it has bought 65% of Videoland’s parent firm The Entertainment Group (TEG), with RTL Netherlands CEO Bert Habets commenting that the deal was a “logical next step in the development of our on-demand TV offering.”

The agreement, which comes ahead of Netflix’s planned launch in the Dutch market later this year, will see TEG continue to operate independently. However, RTL said it would use the pay-per-view Videoland service to help it launch an all-you-can-watch subscription service this autumn.

Arno Otto, managing director, digital for RTL Netherlands, said that the subscription offering would give users unlimited access to international and Dutch movies and series for a fixed monthly fee.

He added that the Videoland acquisition, combined with RTL’s existing VOD platform RTL XL, would give RTL Netherlands an “unmatched” offer in the Dutch market.

TEG has contracts with both independent and major studios and claims to be the largest provider of online movie content in the Benelux region. Under the brand names Videoland and Movie MAX Online TEG offers video-on-demand through a wide range of devices and partners.

Netflix confirmed in June that the Netherlands would be its next European launch market, with plans to roll out there during this quarter.