The VRT and Streamz, the streaming service of Telenet and DPG Media, have been talking intensively in recent months to turn a provisional agreement from last summer into a structural agreement, Delaplace explained. “At one point I announced to my board of directors that we were 99 percent done, but the last percent never came.”
An agreement on structural cooperation on joint fictional projects is therefore no longer an option for the time being. “Although I can’t imagine that as important players in Flemish fiction we won’t find each other again at some point,” said the CEO. “But today the talks have come to a halt.”
However, the VRT does not necessarily disappear completely from the Streamz catalog. After all, it is still possible to collaborate on a project basis, according to Delaplace. “And we are closing a new deal around our historical archive.” The CEO emphasized that there is no conflict. “We remain on speaking terms.”
At Streamz, CEO Peter Vindevogel confirms that talks have been held to expand the collaboration with the VRT even more structurally and that it is true that no agreement has yet been reached. “I want to emphasize that nothing will change for the Streamz viewer, VRT content will remain available on Streamz. Joint fiction projects with the VRT will also remain possible in the future.”
In the meantime, Delaplace has big plans with the public broadcaster’s own platform, VRT NU. That platform is “critical” to the broadcaster’s future, he said. “We have put a number of developments at the VRT on hold in order to be able to continue investing fully in VRT NU.” Viewing on demand has grown enormously in recent months.
The CEO wants VRT NU to continue to offer a “very broad range”. “With tailor-made recommendations, but not in the way of the international players. We will continue to focus on flavor expansion. We will try to use technology and data to make Flemish people smarter, more intelligent and more confident.” VRT NU will also become an audio channel, where all podcasts will be bundled.
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