RTL Belgium launches a streaming platform to counter the decline of television
The media landscape in French-speaking Belgium is undergoing a major transformation. RTL Belgium recently announced its intention to launch a new paid streaming platform. This strategic decision responds to a major shift in the consumption habits of Belgian citizens, who are increasingly moving away from traditional television in favor of on-demand content.
Guillaume Collard, the head of RTL Belgium, shared worrying figures for the traditional sector. He estimates that the number of viewers in the French-speaking market will decrease by 25% between 2022 and 2025. This decline particularly affects the "commercial target"—the viewers that advertisers seek to reach as a priority to finance programs.
Faced with this situation, the company acknowledges that its original business model is in difficulty. The launch of a paid streaming service is therefore a necessary solution to compensate for the loss of advertising revenue. The goal is to offer a modern and flexible digital service, capable of competing with major international services while maintaining a local identity.
This project marks a historic turning point for the audiovisual group in Belgium. By adapting to new technologies and public expectations, RTL Belgium hopes to retain its subscribers and attract younger generations. The success of this transition will be decisive for the future of media and cultural production in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.