RTL+ from RTL Group S.A. - streaming subscription shifts focus to originals

Reviewed: ad hoc news Software & Services desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-25, 21:01. Details in the imprint.

You open RTL+ on a rainy Thursday night, and the home screen pushes a bold mix of RTL crime formats, reality shows and shiny new originals toward you before you have even taken off your jacket. RTL+ from RTL Group S.A. wants to be your all-in-one German-language streaming and entertainment subscription, not just a catch-up library for last night’s TV.

What RTL+ actually offers

RTL+ is the digital subscription platform that bundles RTL’s linear TV channels, catch-up content and an expanding slate of exclusive series and reality formats behind one login. The service sits at the centre of CEO Thomas Rabe’s streaming strategy, as RTL Group pushes more viewers and advertisers toward its digital products.

Subscribers get on-demand access to shows like "Deutschland sucht den Superstar", "Temptation Island" or scripted crime series, often with full seasons and previews before linear broadcast. According to the official RTL+ product page, the service also includes access to pay-TV channels and live streams, depending on the chosen package.

Packages, prices and cancellation

RTL+ is sold in several tiers: an entry-level "Premium" package, a "Premium Duo" tier for two simultaneous streams and bundles that add music streaming. According to RTL Deutschland, the standard Premium tier costs around 6.99 euros per month in Germany and can be cancelled monthly.

In its annual report, RTL Group highlights that paying subscriber numbers for RTL+ and its streaming services climbed further in the last financial year, reflecting consistent growth in digital video revenue. For viewers, the monthly cancellation provides a practical way to dip in for specific shows or seasons and then leave again.

How RTL+ feels in daily use

The interface greets you with large, bright tiles for reality shows and crime formats first, then pushes deeper catalog content further down the feed. On a mid-range smart TV, navigation feels smooth, with clear playback controls and tidy watchlist management.

Cross-device use is central: you can start "Let’s Dance" on the living-room TV, then finish an episode on the phone during your commute. Product chief Henning Nieslony has previously emphasized that RTL+ should feel like a single entertainment hub spanning TV, streaming and audio rather than a bolt-on catch-up service.

Strengths and where it falls short

The strongest hook of RTL+ is its deep catalog of German-language reality and entertainment formats that competitors often lack. If you follow specific RTL shows closely, early access and complete seasons are a convincing argument to keep the subscription active.

The flip side: viewers looking for big-budget international dramas or arthouse films will find RTL+ less comprehensive than global rivals. Some content is still restricted to catch-up windows, and the fragmentation of rights between RTL channels and third-party licensors can make the catalog feel a bit uneven.

Role inside RTL Group and shares

For RTL Group, RTL+ is more than a consumer product; it is a strategic pillar that supports the shift from traditional TV advertising to digital video, subscription and targeted advertising revenues. In earnings calls, Thomas Rabe regularly points to streaming growth and local originals as central to the Group’s long-term plan.

RTL Group S.A. shares (ISIN LU0061462528) are listed in Luxembourg and Frankfurt, giving investors direct exposure to the development of RTL+ and the wider broadcasting and streaming portfolio.

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