RTL launching international channel

A new RTL Group entertainment channel, aimed at German speakers and ex-pats around the world, is due to launch on January 18.

RTL International is due to debut in countries including Canada, Australia, South Africa, Namibia, Israel and Georgia in the coming weeks, and will roll out in the US in February.

The channel will launch on satellite, cable, IPTV and OTT platforms and will be available via app and online in the second quarter of 2016.

RTL said that the distribution of the channel will be “gradually and continuously expanded”, and that it will make successful programmes from RTL Germany available to overseas viewers for the first time.

Specific RTL shows that will be available on RTL International include news magazine programmes including RTL Aktuell, RTL Nachtjournal, and Punkt 12, which will be broadcast live.

Regional news magazine shows will also be available, as will drama and action series like Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei and Doctor‘s Diary.

Operator partners currently signed up to carry the channel include Bell in Canada, Charter Communications in the US, FlipTV in Australia, Caucasus Online in Georgia, and Deukom and Satelio in Southern Africa.