ProSiebenSat.1 CEO wants to build German alternative to Netflix

"We are on quite a good path with the public broadcasters on how to present their content," he said Monday evening at the Munich Business Press Club. He said he also wants to meet with RTL, "but that won't happen tomorrow morning." He said he has not yet spoken with the newly appointed head of RTL Germany, Bernd Reichart. His goal is to provide an alternative to Netflix for German viewers, Conze said. They don't want a dozen media libraries and apps, but one platform. This will adapt to each viewer's personal preferences, he said, and will not suggest the same genre to them several times in a row after one viewing, as today's competitors do. "The product will be completely rebuilt."

"We Understand Germany Better"

Conze had announced in June that he would build a streaming platform for German viewers with the U.S. media group Discovery. He invited RTL, ARD and ZDF to "join us in creating a German champion." Netflix and Co. are strong competitors, he said. But "we understand Germany and the people in Germany better" with 25 years of TV experience, Conze said. ProSiebenSat.1 wants to make greater use of this asset again and broadcast more of its own comedy, live shows, magazine formats and infotainment - also digitally. At the same time, the entertainment offering will be linked more closely with the company's own Internet stores and portals. Implementing the plans, however, would be difficult and expensive. In 2019, ProSiebenSat.1 will have to provide its recently disappointed shareholders with initial proof that the plan will work. (SDA)