European broadcaster RTL Group said on Friday it would buy Sky Deutschland, in a deal that combines Sky's sports and streaming offerings with RTL's news and entertainment brands to create a business with 11.

The deal creates Germany’s third-largest streamer and strengthens RTL’s position as a gatekeeper for international platforms entering Europe’s top TV market. "HBO Max is launching in Germany next year,

The merged companies "bring together two of the most powerful entertainment and sports brands in Europe" with the largest transaction for the RTL Group since its founding.