Switzerland’s second-largest telecom services provider is acquiring a 100% stake and the 10 employees of TV streaming service Wilmaa. Sunrise has stated that existing Wilmaa offers will continue to be available under the Wilmaa brand.
Global trend: streaming
Along with Zattoo and Teleboy, Wilmaa is one of the pioneers of TV streaming – and specifically of over the top (OTT) TV streaming services. With regards to streaming, the term OTT denotes streaming services which can be accessed by users via Internet connections from any Internet service provider.
The most popular OTT streaming services are YouTube and Netflix. But OTT streaming services are also offered by a number of Swiss service providers including Zattoo, Teleboy and Wilmaa. Sunrise entered the market with its TV Neo offer in May 2019.
Swisscom is not considering OTT offers
Interestingly, Switzerland’s largest telecom service provider Swisscom is not considering offering OTT streaming services. With the exception of its free live TV streaming of some TV stations, Swisscom does not offer any OTT services.
This is in spite of major interest on the part of consumers, particularly with regard to Swisscom’s exclusive sports broadcasts. Swisscom only offers its comprehensive TV plan – which include TV recording, time shifting and exclusive sports broadcasts – to its Internet plan subscribers.
Evaluation by moneyland.ch telecom expert Ralf Beyeler
Sunrise’ decision to acquire Wilmaa is a reaction to the increasing popularity of OTT streaming services.
This is beneficial to Wilmaa users, because the Wilmaa brand and offers will remain available.
Sunrise will have to rethink the way in which it positions its TV Neo offer in the streaming market. It is likely that over the mid-term, Sunrise will redesign its offer using technology developed by Wilmaa.
More on this topic:
Interactive Swiss TV plan comparison (including OTT services)
Swiss video streaming comparison
