Streaming Blizzard Provides Visual Variety, Blinds Some, Stirs Wolves

Michael Hedges December 1, 2022 Follow on Twitter

The appeal of streaming video services has not slowed. Despite boisterous declarations of critics the big providers have not collapsed from post-coronavirus user retreat. OK, some are reviewing their spreadsheets, cutting expenses, either raising rates, embracing advertising or both. Investors understand the workings of money, crypto bros notwithstanding, and weigh subscription rates with leveraged production costs. It’s a tough business, but aren’t they all.

Czech broadcast and internet distribution provider Ceske Radiokomunikace (CRa) is preparing for its venture into streaming media, said chief executive Milos Mastinki in an interview with news agency CTK (November 28). He cited the decline in paid cable subscriptions - generally referred to as cord cutting. “We think has its justification and a place on the market.” He plans introducing the service next summer to compete, of course, with “foreign platforms Netflix, HBO Max and Disney+,” as well as the domestic Voyo service of Nova TV and another planned by Prima TV. Czech public TV broadcaster offers its video library free-of-charge.

Mr. Mastinki said discussion are taking place with broadcasters for cooperation in the project, essential as CRa is a technical provider, not a TV production center. With that in mind, he also wants to revive domestic Czech TV channel licensing. A year and a half ago CRa was acquired by Canadian private equity fund Cordiant from Australian infrastructure investor Macquarie Asset Management, which acquired CRa after several periods of financial disruption.

Public broadcasters continue to behold streaming video as more necessity than burden. New Zealand’s RNZ, Canada’s CBC and Australia’s ABC are looking at a streaming joint venture. As production centers, the three have had an “outsized number of international hits,” noted Deadline (November 24). “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others,” said CBC/Radio Canada chief executive Catherine Tate, to a public broadcaster conference in Tokyo, Japan. “Alone - faced with the reach and heft of the global players - we risk losing our audiences.”

Public broadcasters regularly create joint ventures for varied specific projects. Public-private joint ventures are far less likely, strategies hardly coinciding. The Salto streaming service - primary partners being TF1 Group (Bouygues), M6 Group (RTL) and France Télévisions - is a recent example of the difficulties. Together they made up a large part of French video production, not to forget advertising.

Salto was finally established in 2020 after years of wrangling among the partners, suppliers and authorities. The final gong was rung in mid-November as TF1 and M6 “decided to sell” their stakes, reported Variety (November 21). Earlier France Télévisions president Delphine Ernotte said the public broadcaster’s interest in the project had worn thin. TF1 and M6 had, by coincidence, decided to merge, which was halted by the French Competition Authority.

Media watchers in France and elsewhere waxed rhythmically about who might pick up the pieces of Salto and how that might be possible. For many the most logical would be a takeover by Vivendi-owned Canal+. Alas, Canal+ is moving along with an acquisition of the pay-TV service OCS, currently owned by Orange. NJJ Médias, principally owned by Xavier Niel, is another possibility. He is principal owned of ISP Free and part-owner of newspaper Le Monde. M Niel is continuing to litigate with regulator Arcom the TF1 and M6 terrestrial broadcast licenses. This week, reported BFM TV (November 29), an inquiry to TF1 and M6 went out from Amazon, which by coincidence distributes Salto services in France.

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