Zattoo Adds Four Rakuten TV FAST Channels

Why It Matters

The expansion deepens Zattoo’s free‑to‑watch offering, attracting broader audiences and ad revenue in the highly competitive DACH streaming market.

Key Takeaways

• Zattoo launches four new FAST channels in Germany, Austria, Switzerland
• Channels span action, romance, classic police drama, and German crime series
• Partnership taps Rakuten TV’s extensive content library
• Free ad‑supported channels aim to boost summer viewer engagement
• Move strengthens Zattoo’s competitive position in DACH market

Pulse Analysis

The FAST (Free Ad‑Supported Streaming TV) model has accelerated across Europe, driven by cord‑cutters seeking cost‑free alternatives to subscription services. In the DACH region, where broadband penetration is high and advertising spend remains robust, platforms like Zattoo are capitalising on the trend to capture audience share without charging a monthly fee. By expanding its FAST catalogue, Zattoo not only diversifies its content mix but also positions itself as a go‑to hub for advertisers looking to reach viewers who prefer linear‑style programming without a paywall.

Zattoo’s new partnership with Rakuten TV brings four genre‑specific channels—Alles Action, 21 Jump Street, Abschnitt 40 and All Romance—into its free tier. Each channel curates a focused library: high‑octane action titles starring Bruce Willis and Jean‑Claude Van Damme, a nostalgic police drama that launched Johnny Depp’s career, a German crime series set in Berlin, and a romance collection featuring Angelina Jolie and Meg Ryan. This granular approach caters to mood‑driven viewing, a key driver of FAST consumption, and leverages Rakuten TV’s extensive licensing agreements to enrich Zattoo’s offering without incurring original production costs.

For advertisers, the expanded lineup translates into more inventory and finer audience segmentation, enabling targeted ad placements that align with specific genre preferences. Competitors such as Pluto TV and Paramount+ are also scaling their FAST portfolios, so Zattoo’s move is both defensive and growth‑oriented. As summer sporting events draw peak viewership, the added entertainment channels provide a complementary draw, keeping audiences within the Zattoo ecosystem longer. Looking ahead, the partnership could serve as a template for further collaborations, potentially unlocking additional genres and regional markets, and reinforcing Zattoo’s role as a leading FAST provider in Europe.