Observed Signal · Oct 13, 2026 · M&A - Announced · Source: Manager Magazin · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Freenet acquires full control of waipu.tv
German mobile carrier Freenet AG is acquiring the remaining 25% stake in Exaring AG, operator of online TV platform waipu.tv, from minority shareholders for an initial €76 million, valuing the company at around €300 million. Additional performance-based earn-out payments of up to €50 million may follow based on future success. The acquisition, fully financed from liquid funds, abandons plans for a waipu.tv IPO. Freenet sees waipu.tv's IPTV offering as a strategic growth driver in the German market, including potential in programmatic advertising, and maintains its dividend outlook. Waipu.tv serves approximately two million customers and holds a 20-25% market share in German IPTV. CEO Robin Harries and CFO Ingo Arnold highlighted the strategic benefits.
This M&A deal consolidates the German streaming market and highlights the strategic importance of IPTV/streaming for telecom operators, relevant for CTV advertising and distribution.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Freenet acquires remaining 25% of Exaring AG, owner of waipu.tv, for initial €76 million.
- Company valuation is about €300 million; earn-out payments up to €50 million are possible.
- Acquisition is fully financed from liquid funds.
- IPO plans for waipu.tv are abandoned.
- Waipu.tv has ~2 million customers and a 20-25% market share in German IPTV.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“German mobile carrier Freenet is fully acquiring the online TV platform waipu.tv, with the MDax-listed corporation acquiring the remaining 2...”
“German mobile carrier Freenet is acquiring the online TV platform waipu.tv completely.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Waipu.tv adds five Warner Bros. Discovery FAST channels
Waipu.tv has expanded its FAST (free ad-supported streaming) channel lineup in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery by adding five thematic channels: DMAX Blaulicht, DMAX Motor, DMAX Schatzsucher, TLC Crime and TLC Mystery. The new channels are available both as linear streams and on-demand via Waipu.tv's library (the “Waiputhek”) at no extra cost. Waipu.tv reports roughly two million subscribers, more than 300 TV programmes and over 70 pay-TV channels; its on-demand library claims over 40,000 films and series. The streaming platform is operated by Munich-based Exaring AG, whose largest single shareholder is Freenet. The move further grows Waipu.tv’s ad-supported FAST portfolio and increases CTV/OTT ad inventory and niche thematic inventory for advertisers.
Waipu.tv debuts as Screenforce Festival partner
Waipu.tv is presenting itself at the Screenforce Festival as a platform that connects traditional TV reach with digital targeting and measurement. Operated by technology company Exaring, Waipu.tv offers more than 300 TV channels and a library of over 40,000 on-demand items, with availability on nearly all major devices. Exaring CEO Markus Härtenstein says the service aims to simplify access to content by aggregating linear and streaming offers and using personalized recommendations. Peter Kasper, Head of Media Sales at Waipu.tv, highlights the platform’s potential for advertisers: it combines broad TV reach with data-driven ad delivery and supports both direct (classic) and programmatic buying models. The company frames Connected TV as a strategic channel for CMOs seeking lean-back audiences plus measurable, data-based advertising.
Waipu.tv Partners with Screenforce Festival on CTV
Waipu.tv is partnering for the first time with the Screenforce Festival, joining the July 2, 2026 event in Düsseldorf to discuss the future of TV, streaming and Connected TV. Markus Härtenstein, CEO of Exaring (the technology company that operates Waipu.tv), said the partnership provides a platform to talk with the industry about aggregated access to content amid market fragmentation. Waipu.tv positions itself as an aggregator with more than 300 TV channels and a mediathek of over 40,000 items, offering personalized recommendations and device-wide availability. Peter Kasper, Head of Media Sales at Waipu.tv, highlighted the platform’s potential for advertisers by combining TV reach with data-driven targeting and both traditional and programmatic booking models.
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