July 18, 2025, 6:31 am | Read time: 2 minutes
RTL plans to acquire Sky Deutschland, potentially becoming one of the largest players in the pay-TV and streaming sector in Germany. This news has unsettled many Sky customers, who are wondering if their subscriptions will remain valid and if it’s still worth signing up anew.
What Customers Need to Know About RTL and Sky Deutschland
The most important news first: For existing Sky customers, everything will stay the same for now. RTL has confirmed that there will be no significant changes at the moment. Sky Q receivers and the new Sky Stream Box will continue to operate, as will the programming lineup with sports, movies, and series. Full integration into the RTL ecosystem could extend into 2026, according to a press release. RTL plans to support the existing infrastructure for at least 24 months after the acquisition.
Behind the scenes, RTL is already working on integrating Sky into its own structures, particularly concerning streaming offerings. In the future, Sky content could be directly integrated into RTL+, possibly even fully migrated. This could lead to a reimagining of brand and offering structures.
Possible Changes for New Customers
Anyone currently considering a Sky subscription should be aware of potential changes. The structure of content and channels could change, and prices might increase, although RTL has not yet provided specific details. Another uncertainty exists regarding content licensing, as HBO Max is set to launch in Germany in 2026. Whether this service will continue to license its content to Sky or RTL remains to be seen.
For those planning long-term, it might be wise to assess the attractiveness of Sky’s offerings, especially due to the minimum contract terms. Existing customers are advised to be patient and not cancel prematurely, as RTL may try to retain them with attractive offers.
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Is a Sky Subscription Currently Worth It?
Whether a Sky subscription is currently worthwhile largely depends on individual usage habits. For sports fans who want to follow live events like the Bundesliga or Formula 1, there are currently few alternatives. Those interested in current movies and exclusive series often find the latest content on Sky and its associated streaming service Wow.
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It’s a different story for series lovers with little interest in sports. They might be better off with a flexibly cancelable Wow subscription or alternatives like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, as these are often more cost-effective.