The debut of the SkyShowtime platform in Poland is fast approaching. People interested in the offer of Netflix’s competitor, Disney+, HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video, start receiving a special newsletter. Similar messages are also received by the Slovaks, but as reported by the “Zive” website, the platform revealed the launch date there.
– From February 14, SkyShowtime will present in Slovakia the greatest hits and exclusive series of the largest film studios Universal Pictures, DreamWorks, Sky Studios, Peacock, Paramount+, Showtime, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon – could be read in the e-mail.
Half-price access?
The Spanish media had already speculated that the platform would launch on Valentine’s Day. SkyShowtime itself will offer all content in Full HD quality (no 4K for now). One account can create up to five profiles. You will be able to watch individual productions on three devices at the same time. The application will be made available for Android TV and WebOS operating systems. Only in the future, Tizen from Samsung is to join them.
According to unofficial information, it can cost PLN 24.99 a month or PLN 199.90 a year. In Finland, you have to pay EUR 6.99 for a subscription, or about PLN 33 per month, while in Portugal EUR 4.99, or nearly PLN 24. In the Netherlands, the company focused on promotion. Instead of EUR 6.99 per month (less than PLN 33), people who decided to subscribe between October and December 6 pay only EUR 3.49 (about PLN 16). A similar promotion accompanied the launch of HBO Max in Poland.
It is possible that SkyShowtime will also decide to take such a step. Then the platform can be one of the cheapest on the market next to Amazon Prime Video.
Dutch license
Netflix, Disney+, many Discovery channels, Paramount Global and most erotic stations are offered in Poland on the basis of Dutch licenses. Now SkyShowtime will join them. Recently, the equivalent of the National Broadcasting Council decided to exempt the platform from the ceiling of European productions. SkyShowtime asked the regulator to gradually increase the quotas in subsequent years. In autumn 2022, it was 5%, in 2023, European productions are to account for 10%. offer, in 2024 15 percent, in 2025 25 percent, and in 2026 30 percent.
According to Dutch regulations from 2008, media services offered this year must cover 30 percent. of European production. Therefore, the regulator called on the new streaming service to gradually expand its offer with content from Europe. – The Media Authority may grant an exemption from the share of European productions if, taking into account the nature or subject of the on-demand commercial media service, achieving the share of European productions is practically impossible or unreasonable – informed the regulator, which agreed with the platform’s request. The decision also applies to the Polish market.
The largest streaming services come from the United States. Not all of them want to invest in European productions to the same extent from the beginning of their operations.
Only 60 local productions are to be produced in the countries of Europe, Africa and the Middle East by 2024. For comparison, Netflix is to release 13 new Polish productions in 2023 alone.
