Antenna Group CEO Henning Tewes argues that European media companies must achieve greater scale and create immersive brand experiences to compete effectively against dominant American tech and entertainment giants.

Key Points

• Henning Tewes emphasized that European firms must consolidate to counter the market dominance of U.S. entities like Netflix, Disney, Amazon, and YouTube.
• The strategy focuses on building "gravity" by integrating content, live events, and physical experiences to foster deeper emotional attachments with audiences.
• Tewes highlighted the importance of cinema as a strategic asset, noting Antenna Group’s recent acquisition of Options & Town Cinemas in Greece.
• European media companies are encouraged to leverage their local cultural roots and news brands to build trust and reach that global tech platforms cannot replicate.
• The executive advocated for a "new logic" combining regional scale, free-to-air reach, paid streaming depth, and real-life entertainment experiences.

Why it Matters

This shift in strategy reflects a broader realization that European media companies can no longer rely on outdated national-level regulations to protect them from global digital competitors. By pivoting toward integrated ecosystems and physical experiences, these firms aim to secure long-term relevance in an increasingly consolidated and tech-driven global market.