Videoland completes takeover of Viaplay Netherlands
Viaplay Netherlands’ sports rights and employees will come under DPG Media from Friday, while apps and subscriptions will remain in place for now.
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Viaplay’s Dutch operations will become part of DPG Media, the parent company of Videoland, from Friday. Its sports programming and sports rights will be transferred to Videoland, but customers will not initially get a new app or pricing structure.
DPG Media completed the takeover on Friday. The company said that Viaplay Netherlands’ employees will transfer to Videoland, bringing expertise in sport, programming and production.
The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) approved the takeover on 20 October. The regulator concluded that sufficient competition would remain in the market after the transaction. The decision made the formal completion possible.
There will be little change for subscribers in the short term. The existing apps, subscriptions and prices will remain unchanged for now. Viaplay says that an existing Viaplay subscription will end on 29 November 2026; customers will receive amended terms and further information about this.
DPG Media says that sport will remain a separate offering alongside Videoland’s existing services. The company expects to provide more details on the further development of its sports offering during 2027. It has not yet announced which subscriptions and prices will apply afterwards.
The takeover is particularly relevant to the distribution of sports rights in the Netherlands. Viaplay brought, among other things, international sports broadcasts and its own streaming platform; Videoland will therefore have a combination of entertainment and sport under one owner.
For consumers, the operation could eventually bring both bundling and new options. At the same time, the market remains fragmented among several providers for now. Until DPG announces new packages or prices, it is not yet possible to determine whether viewers will ultimately pay less or instead need more separate subscriptions.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- DPG Media has taken over Viaplay’s Dutch operations.
- The ACM judged competition to be sufficient.
- The current apps, prices and subscriptions will remain in place for now.
Left
Arguments Media consumers should retain access to affordable sport and a diverse range of media; regulators should prevent popular rights from becoming concentrated among a few large companies.
Values Accessibility, media diversity and consumer protection.
Consequences More oversight or pricing conditions could limit bundling, but could also prevent fans from increasingly needing several separate subscriptions.
Centre
Arguments The takeover can be efficient as long as competitors retain access to rights and consumers are clearly informed about changes.
Values Market competition, transparency and continuity.
Consequences A gradual integration limits disruption, but the ultimate effects will depend on new packages and pricing.
Right
Arguments A commercial company should be given room to combine sport and entertainment efficiently; consumers can switch if they are unhappy with the offering or price.
Values Entrepreneurship, freedom of choice and limited market intervention.
Consequences Greater scope for bundling could foster innovation, but a smaller number of providers could reduce consumers’ bargaining power.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The completion, ACM approval and provisional status of subscriptions have been confirmed by primary sources. Future prices and packages are presented as unknown.
- confirmed Viaplay’s Dutch operations will come under DPG Media from 30 October. — DPG Media announced the completion on 30 October 2026. source
- confirmed The ACM approved the takeover on 20 October. — This is stated in the ACM’s final announcement. source
- confirmed Apps, subscriptions and prices will remain unchanged for now. — Viaplay’s information page states that the current situation will remain in place for the time being. source
- incorrect DPG Media has already finalised the future packages and prices. — The available sources instead say that more information will follow in 2027. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: DPG Media has finalised the future packages and prices.Now: DPG Media has not yet announced the future packages and prices. (The sources state that more information will follow only in 2027.)
Editor's note
The completion of the takeover and the provisional continuation of the apps and prices have been confirmed. The future packages, prices and precise integration remain unknown.Sources
- Nieuw hoofdstuk voor Videoland: Viaplay Nederland vanaf nu onderdeel van DPG Media — DPG Media
- Videoland mag uitsluitende zeggenschap verkrijgen over Viaplay Nederland — Autoriteit Consument & Markt
- Videoland en Viaplay — Viaplay