The Bundeskartellamt has conducted a thorough investigation into RTL's proposal to market the advertising space of RTL2, concluding that such cooperation is not permissible under current competition laws. The authority's president, Andreas Mundt, emphasized the importance of maintaining competition in the media sector, especially as viewing habits evolve.

Despite the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, the Bundeskartellamt found that linear TV remains a strong player in video advertising. The authority determined that a marketing partnership between RTL and RTL2 would likely disadvantage competition and lead to higher advertising prices, which could harm advertisers.

RTL initially approached the Bundeskartellamt in summer 2023, and after receiving critical feedback, they attempted to modify their proposal. However, the authority upheld its negative assessment, indicating that the potential benefits of cost savings did not outweigh the competitive disadvantages.

The investigation included extensive consultations with major media agencies and advertisers, highlighting the significant market presence of RTL and RTL2. The Bundeskartellamt also noted that agreements between these two entities could violate anti-competitive regulations.

In addition to the advertising cooperation, the Bundeskartellamt is also reviewing a merger proposal between RTL and Paramount, which involves RTL's acquisition of Nickelodeon in Germany. This broader examination reflects the authority's commitment to ensuring fair competition in the evolving media landscape.