DPG Media acquires RTL Netherlands

Name of the deal: Advised DPG Media on the acquisition of RTL Netherlands by DPG Media
Date announced and/or closed: 1 July 2025
Published value: EUR 1.1 billion
Buyer(s): DPG Media
Target: RTL Netherlands
Seller: RTL Group

Involved firms and advisors
Involved firms and advisors buy side:
Legal Advisory Corporate M&A:   Loyens & Loeff  Tax Advisory:   Loyens & Loeff  M&A Advisory:  LDS Advisory    Legal Advisory Corporate M&A: Linklaters Belgium  Tax Advisory: PWC

Involved firms and advisors target:
N/A

Involved firms and advisors sell side:
Legal Advisory Corporate / M&A: NautaDutilh  Legal Advisory Corporate/M&A: Allen & Overy  Tax Advisory: NautaDutilh

Pitch

Brief description deal / Deal outline
DPG Media and RTL Netherlands are leading multi-media companies. As part of the sale, RTL Group and DPG Media will enter into a strategic partnership, from technology to advertising sales and content.

Why should this deal win the Award for Best Deal 2025?
About RTL Nederland
RTL Nederland operates the leading family of TV channels in the Netherlands, comprising five free-to-air TV channels (RTL 4, RTL 5, RTL 7, RTL 8 and RTL Z), three digital pay-TV channels (RTL Lounge, RTL Crime, RTL Telekids) and an independent news organisation. With 1.3 million paying subscribers, Videoland is the country’s number one local streaming service. In 2022, RTL Nederland’s total revenue was €636 million.

About DPG Media
Active in Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, DPG Media is a multi-media company with revenue of €1.8 billion in 2022 and leading brands in news media, television, radio, magazines and online services.

The acquisition of RTL Netherlands by DPG Media N.V. marks a landmark transaction in the European media landscape, combining strategic ambition, legal complexity, and societal impact. Valued at EUR 1.1 billion, this deal not only reshapes the Dutch media ecosystem but also sets a precedent for cross-border collaboration and regulatory navigation in the media sector. It is a prime example of how thoughtful deal-making can drive transformation in a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry.

DPG Media and RTL Netherlands are both leading multi-media companies with strong portfolios across television, radio, streaming, print, and digital news. RTL Netherlands has long been a dominant force in Dutch broadcasting, known for its popular TV channels, digital platforms, and innovative content strategies. DPG Media, originally rooted in print and publishing, has evolved into a diversified media group with operations in Belgium and the Netherlands. Its assets include major newspapers such as de Volkskrant, AD, and Het Parool, as well as digital platforms like HLN and NU.nl. The combination of these two entities creates a media powerhouse with unmatched reach, influence, and content capabilities across platforms and geographies.

What is the impact of this deal for the company?
Due to the confidential nature of this information, it has not been disclosed online. This information has been shared with the jury of the M&A Awards.

What is the impact of this deal for the direct stakeholders?
Due to the confidential nature of this information, it has not been disclosed online. This information has been shared with the jury of the M&A Awards.

What is the impact of this deal on society?
Due to the confidential nature of this information, it has not been disclosed online. This information has been shared with the jury of the M&A Awards.

What was most complex about this deal?
Due to the confidential nature of this information, it has not been disclosed online. This information has been shared with the jury of the M&A Awards.