Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 8 hrs ago
YouTube and RTL Make the Case for Working with Traditional TV
YouTube and German broadcaster RTL Deutschland are presenting the video platform as a partner for traditional TV, not a replacement for it.
They made the case at the Mipcom television industry event in Cannes.
RTL has begun posting shows on YouTube to reach new audiences and direct viewers to its TV and streaming services.
The broadcaster said videos of older episodes of the action series Cobra 11 helped increase first video views on its RTL+ service by 123 percent and subscriptions by about 26 percent.
YouTube says it shares more than half of its advertising revenue with partners, so it earns money when their content does.
RTL is also considering showing five to 10 minutes of a soccer match exclusively on YouTube before asking viewers to switch to RTL+ for the rest.
The two executives also said more traditional broadcasters posting news on YouTube could bring more established voices to the platform.
YouTube and RTL Deutschland argued at Mipcom in Cannes that the platform can work with traditional television rather than replace it.
RTL said posting older episodes of Cobra 11 on YouTube helped draw viewers to its subscription service, RTL+.
RTL reported 123 percent more first video views on RTL+ and around 26 percent more subscriptions tied to the content.
YouTube VP Pedro Pina said the platform shares more than half of its advertising revenue with partners.
RTL is also putting more news content on YouTube and considering showing the first five to 10 minutes of a soccer match there.
- Who
- YouTube VP Pedro Pina and RTL Deutschland CEO Stephan Schmitter.
- What
- They made the case for traditional television companies to work with YouTube.
- When
- At a Mipcom session on Monday; the article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Cannes, France.
- Why
- YouTube said it wants to work with traditional TV, while RTL described using the platform to reach new audiences and direct viewers to its services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Schmitter said RTL had no relationship or partnership with YouTube.
Pina and Schmitter presented their case for cooperation between YouTube and traditional TV.
- Location
- Cannes, France
- RTL show
- Cobra 11
- RTL service
- RTL+
- RTL+ first video views
- 123 percent more, according to Schmitter
- RTL+ subscriptions
- Around 26 percent more, according to Schmitter
- YouTube ad revenue share
- More than half is shared with partners
What people are saying
We cannot be successful if our partners are not successful
had no more value in our ecosystem
We as a platform are not invested in producing content
The more traditional players start being on YouTube, the more a cross section of voices can be heard and that can only be good for democracy
Sources
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