Entertainment powerhouse: a new volume deal with Warner Bros. Discovery

RTL Deutschland is deepening its long-standing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery. Through a new volume deal, the company gains extensive rights to current cinema hits, high-profile US series and a range of iconic titles from the Warner Bros. Discovery library.

This means more of what audiences love – from the DC Extended Universe to Harry Potter, from The Matrix to The Big Bang Theory – now available across RTL Deutschland’s linear channels and streaming service RTL+. The deal also includes exclusive access to recent blockbusters like Mickey 17 by the Oscar-winning Bong Joon-ho and starring Robert Pattinson, A Minecraft Movie with Jason Momoa and Jack Black, and Superman by James Gunn.

“The new volume deal fully supports our Boost and Protect strategy,” says Andreas Fischer, Chief Operating Officer of RTL Deutschland. “Warner Bros. Discovery’s comprehensive range of hit productions is a fantastic addition to our own strong brands. This will enable us to significantly increase the range and frequency of film and series highlights for our audience – both on our free-to-air TV channels and on RTL+.”

Besides content, RTL Group will be collaborating with Warner Bros. Discovery in the advertising sphere. Starting from 2026, RTL Zwei and Warner Bros. Discovery Germany will jointly sell their TV and digital inventories in Germany within the newly formed advertising sales house El Cartel Brothers, which will operate from Munich.

Live sports spotlight: securing the DFB-Pokal rights

Starting in the 2026/27 season, RTL Deutschland will broadcast 15 top matches of the men’s DFB-Pokal live on RTL and RTL+. The deal also includes further highlight rights, bringing the magic of the cup to even more screens.

From underdog triumphs to last-minute drama, the DFB-Pokal is an annual knockout cup competition featuring all the clubs from the first and second German leagues. Also known as the German Cup, the beloved tournament is renowned for its emotional storytelling – and now, RTL is part of that journey.

“We make big moments visible for everyone and bring the fascination of the DFB-Pokal to free-to-air TV with powerful live events – accessible, emotional, for everyone,” says Inga Leschek, Chief Content Officer of RTL Deutschland.

This move comes after RTL Deutschland acquired the highlights rights for the German Cup earlier this year. It also expands RTL Deutschland’s growing football portfolio, which already includes the German national team’s matches, the weekly match and highlight rights from the 2. Bundesliga, alongside matches from the Uefa Europa League and Premier League.