Telecom Italia (TIM) and broadcaster Mediaset have announced an agreement that will allow customers of the TIMvision video-on-demand service to watch all of Mediaset’s free-to-air channels. Under the terms of the deal, starting in January 2019 all subscribers to TIMvision will be able to access the online programming of Mediaset’s Canale5, Italia1 and Retequattro channels as well as the free-to-air themed channels La5, TGCom24, Mediaset Extra, 20, Iris, Italia2, Top Crime and Focus.
TIM said customers will have options for pausing, rewinding and re-starting programmes, with access to the programming from the previous 7 days made available online by Mediaset. “The new accord marks a further step forward in the content strategy set out in the DigiTIM Plan, focused on delivering the maximum value to TIM customers combining the top television experience with the best connectivity,” said the operator in a statement. The 2018-20 ‘DigiTIM' strategy was outlined in March, with TIM CEO Amos Genish saying the company planned to digitise more processes and offer more video, music and gaming content with a view to positioning the group as a "pure digital player".
The content deal comes after Mediaset reached an ambitious agreement with Sky Italia to give the latter’s satellite customers access to Mediaset Premium’s cinema and TV series channels as well as Mediaset’s platform for a new pay-TV service on DTT. Mediaset recently reported a net profit of EUR 90.5 million last year compared with a loss of EUR 294.5 million in 2016 when results were severely impacted by Vivendi’s aborted deal for Mediaset Premium.
