RTL II
RTLZWEI is a German free-to-air commercial television channel founded in 1993, broadcasting reality TV, documentaries, and docu-soaps to a broad German-speaking audience across linear TV, the RTL+ streaming platform, mobile apps, and a gaming portal.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersGrünwald, Germany
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What RTL II does
RTLZWEI (legal entity RTL2 Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG) is a German free-to-air commercial television channel founded in 1993 and headquartered in Grünwald, Germany, operating within the broader RTL Group media conglomerate. The channel is branded as the "Home of Reality" and primarily produces and broadcasts reality TV, documentaries, docu-soaps, and reportages aimed at a broad German-speaking audience. Its core content franchises include long-running series such as Berlin - Tag & Nacht, Die Geissens, Die Wollnys, Love Island, Kampf der Realitystars, Naked Attraction, and Frauentausch, supplemented by youth-oriented news programming under the RTLZWEI News sub-brand.
RTLZWEI distributes its content through four parallel channels: a linear television broadcast reaching German households; the RTL+ OTT streaming platform (plus.rtl.de) offering live and on-demand viewing; iOS and Android mobile applications with AirPlay support for Apple TV; and a browser-based gaming portal (spiele.rtl2.de) hosting titles such as Forge of Empires, Elvenar, DarkOrbit, Uptasia, Jackpot, and Farmerama via partnership with Bigpoint GmbH. The technology stack is conventional broadcast and streaming infrastructure with no disclosed AI/ML, proprietary model, or advanced data-asset capabilities.
The business operates three revenue streams. Television advertising on the linear channel is the core monetization mechanism. The RTL+ Premium subscription tier (monthly billing) provides extended on-demand access, pre-broadcast content, and ad-free viewing. The gaming portal generates freemium micro-transaction revenue. RTLZWEI also operates ancillary sub-brands including RTLZWEI RED (premium content), RTLZWEI Casting (talent intake), RTLZWEI Insider-Community (fan community), and RTLZWEI Musik & Events, supporting audience engagement and cross-promotion across the ecosystem. The company is privately held with no disclosed revenue, funding history, or ownership structure beyond its position within the RTL Group.
RTL II firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RTL II
- Legal name
- RTL2 Fernsehen GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://rtl2.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- RTLZWEI is a German free-to-air commercial television channel founded in 1993, broadcasting reality TV, documentaries, and docu-soaps to a broad German-speaking audience across linear TV, the RTL+ streaming platform, mobile apps, and a gaming portal.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RTL II industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Television Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Network/Studio Streaming Channels (MPABAHAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use) (HDAIAJAG)
Keywords
Where RTL II is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grünwald
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
RTL II business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Television Advertising: Traditional broadcast advertising revenue from television commercial slots during RTLZWEI programming
- RTL+ Premium Subscription: Subscription-based streaming service (RTL+ Premium) providing extended access to full episodes, premium content before TV broadcast, and ad-free viewing options
- Gaming Platform: Browser-based gaming offerings including strategy games (Forge of Empires, Elvenar), puzzle games (Uptasia), and casino-style games (Jackpot), some developed by external partners like Bigpoint
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | RTL+ Free Tier - Basic streaming access |
| Subscription | Monthly | RTL+ Premium - Full subscription access |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
RTL II product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RTLZWEI operates a German free-to-air television channel branded as 'Home of Reality', broadcasting reality shows, docu-soaps, documentaries, and entertainment programming to German-speaking audiences. Its linear TV offering is complemented by the RTL+ streaming platform that provides live and on-demand access to RTLZWEI content, plus a web-based gaming portal (spiele.rtl2.de) hosting multiple browser-based games. Revenue is generated primarily through broadcast television advertising and streaming subscription fees.
Product overview
RTLZWEI operates as a multi-platform TV broadcaster with a unified streaming ecosystem. The core offering comprises the RTLZWEI linear TV channel ('Home of Reality') distributing documentary, docu-soap, and reality content. The RTL+ streaming service serves as the digital platform for on-demand and live content access, supplemented by the RTL+-App for iOS and Android. The RTLZWEI Games Portal hosts multiple web-based games. The content portfolio includes branded show franchises such as X-Factor: Das Unfassbare (mystery documentaries), Naked Attraction (dating format), EXKLUSIV - DIE REPORTAGE (adult lifestyle documentaries), Reeperbahn privat! (street-life documentaries), Love Island (dating competition), Frauentausch (lifestyle exchange reality), and Kampf der Realitystars (celebrity competition).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- RTL+: Streaming platform for RTLZWEI content
- RTLZWEI News
- RTLZWEI Casting
- RTLZWEI Insider-Community
- RTLZWEI Lovenight
- RTLZWEI Musik & Events
- RTLZWEI RED
- RTLZWEI Spiele
Companies that use RTL II
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
RTL II technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
RTL II partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RTL II competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ProSiebenSat.1 Media: Germany's other major private commercial broadcaster, operating SAT.1, ProSieben, kabel eins, sixx, and the Joyn streaming service. Direct competitor to RTLZWEI for both linear TV advertising and streaming subscribers in the German-speaking market.
- SAT.1: ProSiebenSat.1's flagship German commercial channel, mixing scripted entertainment, reality, and US series. Direct head-to-head competitor with RTLZWEI for German private-TV audience share and ad revenue.
- RTL Television: The flagship RTL Group channel in Germany, sharing the same RTL+ streaming platform. Closely comparable family-entertainment and reality/docusoap programming, and effectively a sister network competing for the same mass audience and advertising budgets.
- RTL+: RTL Group's unified streaming platform that distributes RTLZWEI alongside RTL, VOX, n-tv, and other RTL brands. Effectively the company's own streaming arm and its primary DTC monetization channel.
- VOX: Another RTL Group German channel with a focus on US series, cooking shows, documentaries, and lifestyle reality. Competes with RTLZWEI in the same advertiser categories and shares the RTL+ streaming window.
- kabel eins: ProSiebenSat.1 channel with a reality, documentary, and US series programming mix similar to RTLZWEI. Targets a comparable mass-market demographic in the German private-TV landscape.
- Joyn: ProSiebenSat.1's free, ad-supported streaming service including live TV and on-demand. Direct competitor to RTL+ as the German-market free-streaming counterweight, with overlapping content libraries.
- DMAX: German reality and documentary-focused channel (owned by Warner Bros. Discovery) specializing in factual entertainment, motoring, and lifestyle docs. Strongly comparable format mix to RTLZWEI's docu-soap and reality slate.
Broad incumbents
- ZDF: Germany's main public-service broadcaster funded by the household Rundfunkbeitrag. While publicly funded (not advertising-driven), it competes directly for audience share and content relevance with commercial channels including RTLZWEI.
Emerging players
- Pluto TV: Paramount's FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) service with a growing channel-based presence in Germany. Competes for the same advertising-driven, free, on-demand viewing occasions that RTL+ targets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RTL II social profiles
Digital presenceRTL II financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RTL II leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
RTL II funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RTL II M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RTL II
What does RTL II do?
RTLZWEI operates a German free-to-air television channel branded as 'Home of Reality', broadcasting reality shows, docu-soaps, documentaries, and entertainment programming to German-speaking audiences. Its linear TV offering is complemented by the RTL+ streaming platform that provides live and on-demand access to RTLZWEI content, plus a web-based gaming portal (spiele.rtl2.de) hosting multiple browser-based games. Revenue is generated primarily through broadcast television advertising and streaming subscription fees.
Is RTL II a public or private company?
RTL II is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was RTL II founded?
RTL II was founded in 1993. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is RTL II based?
RTL II is headquartered in Grünwald, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does RTL II make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Television Advertising is the primary driver. The others are RTL+ Premium Subscription and gaming Platform.
Who are RTL II's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ProSiebenSat.1 Media, SAT.1, RTL Television, RTL+, VOX, kabel eins, Joyn and DMAX. ZDF is listed as a broad incumbent. Pluto TV is listed as an emerging player.
Does RTL II have an API?
No public API is recorded for RTL II.
What industry is RTL II in?
RTL II's product category is Television Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABAHAG, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Network/Studio Streaming Channels, with a secondary code of HDAIAJAG, Satellite Video & Media Distribution (DTH, Contribution/Distribution, Occasional Use). Its NAICS code is 51612 and its SIC code is 4833.