MFE to unify European streaming operations using Joyn backend in 2027

This consolidation represents a defensive pivot for European commercial broadcasters attempting to match the technical efficiency of global streamers like Netflix and Disney+. By centralizing backend infrastructure, MFE reduces redundant R&D costs while preserving the 'local-first' content strategy required to maintain home-market dominance. This approach highlights an ecosystem shift where medium-scale regional players must prioritize technical interoperability to survive advertising market fragmentation. The industry should monitor MFE’s advertising revenue recovery in H2 2026, as the success of this infrastructure merger depends on stabilizing a currently resilient but declining Italian ad market.

The unified streaming strategy follows MFE-MediaForEurope’s aggressive expansion to secure a 75.61% controlling stake in ProSiebenSat.1 as of September 2025, per Broadband TV News. This acquisition transformed MFE into a pan-European hub reaching over 200 million viewers. Beyond Germany and Italy, MFE expanded its Iberian footprint in March 2026 by acquiring a 32.9% stake in Portuguese media group Impresa for €17.3 million, a partnership aimed at scaling digital and advertising operations across six countries, including Austria and Switzerland.

Financially, the integration is showing early operational results. In Q1 2026, MFE reported consolidated revenues of €1.46 billion, a figure that includes the full line-by-line consolidation of ProSiebenSat.1, according to company financial statements from May 2026. While pro-forma revenues dipped slightly due to a sluggish advertising environment in the DACH region, the group’s Entertainment segment EBIT turned positive at €20.9 million, up from a loss in the previous year. This margin expansion was largely driven by a 9.3% reduction in total operating expenses as MFE realized immediate synergies from the merger.

Parallel to the technical integration, MFE is aggressively paring back non-core assets to focus on its primary entertainment business. Per Reuters and corporate disclosures in early 2026, ProSiebenSat.1 has already sold six digital businesses and recently divested its connected TV advertising unit, esome, and retail media firm Kairion to Pivotum Capital. These divestments are designed to improve long-term margins even if they weigh on short-term top-line revenue. The strategy positions MFE as a consolidated commercial alternative to public broadcasters like Rai and ARD, prioritizing technical scale to compete for digital advertising budgets.