Observed Signal · Oct 28, 2026 · Deprecation · Source: DWDL · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Negative
ProSiebenSat.1 to Discontinue Teletext Services
ProSiebenSat.1 will discontinue its teletext (Videotext) services across seven channels, including Sat.1, ProSieben, Kabel Eins, Sixx, Sat.1 Gold, ProSieben Maxx, and Kabel Eins Doku, beginning in early 2027. The company cites a sharp decline in audience interest, which it says 'tends towards zero,' noting that its Joyn streaming platform has replaced teletext as an information source. The teletext offerings were already reduced in early 2025 to focus only on program information, with news and sports moved to Joyn and ran.de respectively. Subtitles, traditionally accessed via teletext, will remain available but must be activated directly in TV or receiver settings. This move reflects a broader industry trend, as ZDF has also scaled back its teletext services, and some regional broadcasters have adopted ARD text. ARD and ZDF are not affected by this specific change.
Minor news for the AdTech industry; the discontinuation of teletext services by a major German broadcaster reflects a broader shift to digital platforms but has limited direct impact on advertising technology.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- ProSiebenSat.1 will discontinue teletext services on seven channels starting early next year.
- The channels affected include Sat.1, ProSieben, Kabel Eins, Sixx, Sat.1 Gold, ProSieben Maxx, and Kabel Eins Doku.
- The company cites negligible viewer interest, with interest 'tending towards zero' and Joyn replacing teletext as an information source.
- Subtitles will remain available but must be activated directly in TV or receiver settings instead of via teletext.
- Other broadcasters like ZDF have also cut back teletext services, with some third-party programs adopting ARD text.
Connected Companies & Entities
5 Entities mapped“ProSiebenSat.1 announced it will discontinue its teletext services for Sat.1 and ProSieben at the start of 2027.”
“Joyn has replaced teletext as a fast and reliable source of information, especially for program details.”
“ZDF has already cut back sport news and stock market prices from its teletext service.”
“Several third-party programs (Dritte Programme) now adopt ARD text instead of their own teletext offerings.”
“The media magazine DWDL.de discovered the information.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
ProSiebenSat.1 reshapes channels: Jenke, Giesel move to Sat.1
ProSiebenSat.1 is strategically restructuring its linear channels and streaming platform for 2027, as announced by Chief Content Officer Henrik Pabst in a DWDL.de interview. The company is transforming into a multi-platform content house, distributing content across linear TV, Joyn, YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms. Sat.1 will focus on fiction, factual, and family entertainment, including Jenke von Wilmsdorff's reports and Peter Giesel's 'Achtung Abzocke', and will exclusively air 'The Voice of Germany' and 'The Voice Kids'. ProSieben will become the home of major entertainment and sports events, such as the Handball World Cup. Kabel Eins will feature US series like 'NCIS' and 'The Simpsons'. Additionally, a new channel Sat.2 will target the 50+ audience. Joyn will deepen five verticals, integrate ZDF content, merge MFE's Infinity technology, and launch over 20 creator formats.
ProSiebenSat.1 Shifts Focus to Streaming, Sells Comparison Sites
ProSiebenSat.1 reported a revenue decline in 2025 driven by a weak advertising market, with total revenues down 6% to €3.675 billion and organic revenues falling 2%. Adjusted EBITDA fell 28% to €403 million and adjusted net profit declined to €209 million (from €229 million). The group sold comparison platforms billiger-mietwagen.de and CamperDays (buyers: a consortium led by Pivotum Capital and a group of private investors, respectively) and lost prior contributions from Verivox after that asset was spun out. Media for Europe (MfE) — controlled by Silvio Berlusconi’s group — acquired ProSiebenSat.1 in September 2025; Pier Silvio Berlusconi plans a strategic refocus toward news, entertainment, original productions and streaming. Core TV ad revenues in DACH fell about 8%, while ad-funded streaming (notably the Joyn platform) showed growth. For 2026 the company expects low single-digit organic revenue growth and a notable improvement in adjusted operating results driven by cost savings and easier comparables.
ProSieben Ratings Decline Deepens, No Fix Found
German broadcaster ProSieben experienced a marked decline in linear-TV audience share during the 2025/26 season: in eight of nine months from September to May its market share in the core demographic fell below the prior year, typically by 0.5–0.8 percentage points. The channel has struggled to stop an accelerating erosion of reach as viewing shifts toward streaming and short-form platforms. ProSieben has leaned on sports rights (with mixed results), had weak performance from Joyn-originated formats, and most new entertainment launches underperformed. A handful of legacy shows (The Voice of Germany, The Masked Singer, Schlag den Star) still produce stronger weeks, but overall linear million‑viewer benchmarks are increasingly rare. The broadcaster also saw its overall-audience ranking fall out of the Top 10 in May.
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