Freenet, a German telecommunications company, is reportedly nearing a full acquisition of the TV streaming platform Waipu.tv. According to Bloomberg, citing informed insiders, Freenet is close to an agreement to purchase the remaining shares from minority stakeholders in Exaring AG, the operator behind Waipu.tv. This move would solidify Freenet's control over the streaming service, as it currently holds a 74.6% stake in Exaring.
The potential acquisition suggests that earlier plans for a stock market debut of Waipu.tv, which had been explored by Freenet since at least September 2025 and involved Citigroup Inc. and Berenberg as global coordinators, are likely to be shelved. In January 2026, Bloomberg reported that Waipu.tv could have been valued at up to €1.5 billion (approximately $1.8 billion) in a Frankfurt listing. The talks for the current acquisition are advanced, and an official announcement could come within days, though negotiations are ongoing and could still face delays or complications.
Waipu.tv operates in a competitive market alongside platforms like Zattoo and MagentaTV, and its growth has been influenced by the abolishment of ancillary cost privilege for cable television. The complete takeover could lead to increased consolidation in the streaming industry, potentially resulting in enhanced services and more competitive pricing for users, as well as a more unified content delivery system. Freenet's strategic integration of Waipu.tv into its broader business operations remains a key point of interest for market observers.
