Rakuten TV
Barcelona-operated platform combining free ad-supported channels with new-release rentals across most of Europe
Quick Overview
| Company | Rakuten TV (Rakuten Group) |
|---|---|
| Category | Video Streaming |
| Headquarters | Barcelona, Spain |
| Founded | 2016 |
| EU Presence | Yes - operated from Spain (EU); Japanese parent |
| Data Location | EU |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Free ad-supported channels, new-release rentals and purchases, 4K and HDR, no subscription required, available in 40+ European markets |
| Pricing | Free with ads; rentals from about EUR 3, purchases higher |
| Best For | Watching new releases without a subscription, plus free background channels |
| Replaces | Netflix, Prime Video rentals, Apple TV rentals |
Detailed Review
Rakuten TV solves a specific problem: you want to watch one recent film and do not want another monthly subscription. It rents and sells new releases across more than forty European markets, in 4K where available, with no ongoing commitment.
Alongside that it runs a growing set of free ad-supported channels — the FAST model — which cost nothing and require no account.
Rent Rather Than Subscribe
For households that watch a handful of new films a year, renting is straightforwardly cheaper than a subscription they mostly do not use. Rakuten TV's catalogue of recent releases is comparable to the other transactional services, with 4K and HDR on many titles.
Purchases remain in your library, which suits films you expect to rewatch.
Free Channels
The free ad-supported channels cover film, series, documentaries, news and niche categories. Quality varies, as it does across all FAST services, but the price is nothing and there is no account requirement for much of it.
European Reach and Ownership
Operating in more than forty European markets from a Barcelona base gives it wider availability than most services in this category. Ownership is worth noting: Rakuten is a Japanese group, so this is European-operated rather than European-owned — outside US jurisdiction, but not a European company in the strict sense.
Limitations to Consider
The free channels are ad-supported with variable content quality, and rental prices for new releases are not cheap if you watch frequently — beyond a few films a year a subscription is better value. Catalogue and pricing vary by market, and the interface pushes transactional content harder than the free tier.
Who Should Use Rakuten TV
Households that watch new releases occasionally and do not want another subscription, and anyone wanting free ad-supported channels without creating an account.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- No subscription required
- New releases in 4K and HDR
- Free ad-supported channels
- Available in 40+ European markets
- Purchases stay in your library
Cons
- Japanese parent company, not European-owned
- Rentals expensive if you watch often
- Free channel quality varies
Alternatives to Rakuten TV
Other European video streaming worth comparing before you decide:
MUBI
United Kingdom · Hand-picked cinema, one new film every day
ARTE
France / Germany · Free public-service culture, documentaries and concerts
Filmin
Spain · Independent and European cinema on demand
Viaplay
Sweden · Nordic originals plus live football and motorsport
See all European video streaming or compare them directly against Netflix on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The free ad-supported channels cost nothing, and films are rented or purchased individually, which suits households that watch new releases only occasionally.
It is operated from Barcelona and serves European markets, but the parent is the Japanese Rakuten Group. So it is European-operated and outside US jurisdiction, rather than European-owned.
Ad-supported linear channels covering film, series, documentaries and news, available without an account in most markets. Content quality varies, as with all FAST services.
Yes, on many rental and purchase titles, along with HDR where the release supports it.
Rakuten TV is built as a European alternative to Netflix: Barcelona-operated platform combining free ad-supported channels with new-release rentals across most of Europe. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
Rakuten TV is one of several European Video Streaming tools covered on this site. See the full Video Streaming category page for how it ranks against its closest European competitors.