interim results added dimension - rtl grouprtl nederland launches app for goede tijden, schlechte...

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ADDED DIMENSION How M6 has created a new way of consuming TV Germany Wolf Bauer on restructuring UFA The Netherlands RTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden Belgium Télévie funds 107 research projects Luxembourg Enex welcomes Sky News Arabia INTERIM RESULTS 2012 RTL Group reports solid half-year performance The Netherlands New logos for RTL 5 and RTL 8 Luxembourg Télévie becomes non-profit association Germany Extra report nominated for Emmy Awards week 34 / 23 August 2012

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Page 1: INTERIM RESULTS ADDED DIMENSION - RTL GroupRTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden Belgium Télévie funds 107 research projects ... channels such as RTL Nitro,

ADDED DIMENSIONHow M6 has created a new way of consuming TV

Germany

Wolf Bauer on restructuring UFA

The Netherlands

RTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden

Belgium

Télévie funds 107 research projects

Luxembourg

Enex welcomes Sky News Arabia

INTERIM RESULTS 2012 RTL Group reports solid half-year performance

The NetherlandsNew logos forRTL 5 and RTL 8

LuxembourgTélévie becomes non-profit association

GermanyExtra report nominated for Emmy Awards

week 34 / 23 August 2012

Page 2: INTERIM RESULTS ADDED DIMENSION - RTL GroupRTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden Belgium Télévie funds 107 research projects ... channels such as RTL Nitro,

ADDED DIMENSION How M6 has created a new way of consuming TV

Germany Wolf Bauer on restructuring UFA

The Netherlands RTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden

Belgium Télévie funds 107 research projects

Luxembourg Enex welcomes Sky News Arabia

INTERIM RESULTS 2012 RTL Group reports solid half-year performance

The Netherlands New logos for RTL 5 and RTL 8

Luxembourg Télévie becomes non-profit association

Germany Extra report nominated for Emmy Awards

week 34 / 23 August 2012

Think before you print

CoverElmar Heggen, Anke Schäferkordt and Guillaume de Posch

PublisherRTL Group

45, Bd Pierre FriedenL-1543 Luxembourg

Editor, Design, ProductionRTL Group

Corporate Communications & Marketing

backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de

Page 3: INTERIM RESULTS ADDED DIMENSION - RTL GroupRTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden Belgium Télévie funds 107 research projects ... channels such as RTL Nitro,

QUICK VIEW

Télévie Luxembourg non–profi t association

is formedRTL Lëtzebuerg

p.10

“Profi table debt free and with a clear strategy”RTL Televisionp.4 - 8

Refugee reportnominated for

an emmyRTL Television

p.11

A new lookRTL 5 / RTL 8p.9

SHORTNEWS

p.13 - 14

Big Picturep.12

Page 4: INTERIM RESULTS ADDED DIMENSION - RTL GroupRTL Nederland launches app for Goede Tijden, Schlechte Tijden Belgium Télévie funds 107 research projects ... channels such as RTL Nitro,

4

Oliver Fahlbusch, Anke Schäferkordt, Guillaume de Posch and Elmar Heggen at the press conference in Luxembourg

PROFITABLE, DEBT FREE AND

WITH A CLEAR STRATEGY

Luxembourg – 23 August 2012

RTL Group

On 23 August, RTL Group announced

its half-year results 2012. Backstage asked RTL Group’s Co-CEOs Anke Schäferkordt and

Guillaume de Posch as well as the Group’s Chief Financial Officer Elmar Heggen about

the current status of the company and its future

direction.

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5

Anke Schäferkordt, Guillaume de Posch and Elmar Heggen

How did RTL Group perform in the fi rst half of 2012?Elmar Heggen: We are satisfi ed with RTL Group’s solid fi rst-half performance: our reported EBITA again exceeded €500 million, and our EBITA margin remained at a healthy level, reaching 18.0 per cent.

Guillaume de Posch: These results were achieved despite an increasingly tough economic environment: the French, Dutch and Belgian TV advertising markets were down year-on-year with a more pronounced decline in Southern and Eastern Europe.

Anke Schäferkordt: Only the German TV advertising market grew slightly during the fi rst half of year, where our family of channels gained market share. Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s operating profi t increased by 4.5 per cent to €280 million. In terms of audiences, RTL Television is the clear market leader in Germany for the 20th consecutive year, 5.7 percentage points ahead of the second highest-rated channel, Pro Sieben.

How did the other profi t centres perform?Guillaume de Posch: Once again, we achieved high audience shares the Netherlands and Belgium, where our families of channels remained the clear market leaders. In France, Groupe M6 continued to increase its ratings and TV advertising market share, further reducing the gap to market leader TF1.

What about FremantleMedia?Guillaume de Posch: FremantleMedia posted a signifi cant increase in revenue by 15.9 per cent but a decrease in profi tability. FremantleMedia’s strong revenue growth was driven by two key factors: exchange rate effects – stronger US dollar and British pound against the Euro – and recharges without margin to third parties for certain production contracts. Despite this growth, FremantleMedia reported a lower EBITA of €40 million, mainly due to the loss of some programming such as Australian Masterchef, timing effects with some of our shows coming on screen in the second half of the year, and also some pressure from broadcasters on margins. However, with the phasing of productions, we anticipate stronger second half earnings for our content business.

Does this also explain why RTL Group’s revenue grew and EBITA decreased?Elmar Heggen: Only in parts. RTL Group’s revenue growth was driven by Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, FremantleMedia and exchange rate effects. The EBITA decrease was due to the following factors: the higher profi t contribution from the German TV operations was offset by decreasing advertising revenue in othermarkets and higher investment in programming. Also, portfolio effects like the scope exit of Dutch radio stations did their bit.

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6

Guillaume de Posch: Overall, we have shown that we’re able to continue navigating through the challenging economic environment while generating solid results. RTL Group is a very profi table company, debt free, with many growth opportunities and a clear strategy to pursue them.

Could you please tell us more about thestrategy?Anke Schäferkordt: Together with the management teams in our operations we have defi ned three main investment areas: core, content, and digital. Regarding the core business, our main goal is to optimise and develop the existing broadcasting business and to invest for growth. This includes launching new channels such as RTL Nitro, 6ter or RTL Telekids and increasing distribution revenue from platform operators. We see the opportunity to develop a fair revenue share for our brands and programmes from the major distribution platforms – cable network operators, satellite companies and Internet TV providers.

Guillaume de Posch: Geographical expansion in high-growth regions also remains on RTL Group’s agenda. All of us agreed in our fi rst meeting that we will continue trying to expand our footprint in broadcasting – but be selective.

With regards to content, we will further develop and acquire intellectual property and exploitationcapabilities in areas such as general entertainment, US drama, kids entertainment, gaming and online video networks. FremantleMedia will be key for this strategic goal, and we’ll continue growing our content arm through a combination of organic growth and acquisition. FremantleMedia will focus its investments on two goals: fuelling its pipeline of intellectual property and serving new digital audiences, for example with Youtube channels or gaming.

What are you planning in the digital world?Anke Schäferkordt: We will build sustainable new business models with strong cross-platform presence on all devices and screens, with internet properties and new on-demand services – our brands will be present wherever our audiences look for quality content. The digital transformation of the TV industry is hugely important for us. Simply because we have to follow our viewers – and our viewers want to follow our shows such as Idols or Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten. And so we have analysed in detail current trends in non-linear video, online and mobile advertising, content verticals and new online business models such as dating and games. A recent McKinsey study estimated that non-linear viewing in Western Europe can account for 10 per cent of total TV viewing time by 2015/16.

Guillaume de Posch: This growth of non-linearis driven by a signifi cant viewing shift online from movies to TV episodes. Therefore, we have to actively shape this business and leverage our strong brands. Securing rights, being available on all screens and measuring all viewing, establishing both paid-for and advertising-fi nanced on-demand models and also stronger collaboration across RTL Group – these are the main responses the management teams from Corporate and the profi t centres are currently discussing and working on. We will clearly remain a content company, but we also have to build our capabilities in terms of technology and online advertising sales.

What is your outlook for the full year 2012?Anke Schäferkordt: We maintain our cautious and fl exible approach for the business, in particular asthere is no visibility yet on the development of the TV advertising markets during the important fourth quarter. We again expect the Group to deliver a solid level of EBITA, although not at the record level of 2011.

For more information, see RTLGroup.com

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7

REVENUE GROWTH, HEALTHY MARGINS IN AN INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Reported Group revenue up 3.3 per cent to €2,815 million, reflecting higherrevenue from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and FremantleMedia, and exchange rate effects

At Group level first-half EBITA was €506 million A higher profit contribution from the German TV operations was offset by challenging market conditions in other areas, higher investment in programming and portfolio effects FremantleMedia’s lower profit contribution reflected continued pressure on volumes and margins, and timing effects

Reported EBITA margin remains at a healthy level of 18.0 per cent; EBITA margin of RTL Group’s broadcasting businesses at 22.8 per cent

Net profit attributable to RTL Group shareholders was €274 million

Net cash from operating activities of €385 million, resulting in an operating cash conversion of 104 per cent, and a net cash position of €634 million at the end of June

RTL GROUP’S STRONG AUDIENCE PERFORMANCE REMAINS KEY

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland achieved a combined audience share of 33.8 per cent among young viewers, and remained the clear market leader, 5.7 percentage points ahead of its main commercial competitor. EBITA increased by 4.5 per cent to €280 million – the profit centre’s best ever first-half operating profit

In France, Groupe M6 increased its combined audience share, both in terms of total audience and in the commercial target group. M6 was again the only major French channel to increase its audience share year-on-year. EBITA of Groupe M6 decreased to €126 million as a result of lower advertising revenue and programming investment related to the European football championship

RTL Nederland attracted a combined prime time audience share of 32.4 per cent in the commercial target group, and increased the lead over its main commercial competitor to 12.4 percentage points. Following extraordinary results in 2011, EBITA decreased to €38 million due to a weaker TV advertising market and the scope exit of the Dutch radio stations

FremantleMedia’s EBITA decreased significantly to €40 million due to pressure from broadcasters on volumes and margins, and the timing effects of several productions that shall take place during the second half of the year

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8

RTL GROUP FURTHER GROWS ITS DIGITAL ACTIVITIES

RTL Group’s online platforms and on-demand offers across Europe collectively generated more than 1.2 billion video views of professionally produced content in the first half of 2012 – up 33 per cent year-on-year

Mobile video views up 92 per cent in Germany and up 99 per cent in France

In total, RTL Group companies have launched more than 220 mobile applications, registering 65 million downloads to date

In June 2012, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and cable operator Kabel Deutschland signed a deal to distribute RTL’s German family of channels in high definition. The cable operator will also offer a broad range of programmes on-demand, based on RTL’s ‘Now’ family of catch-up TV services

In May 2012, FremantleMedia launched ‘The Pet Collective’, its first channel funded by Youtube. The move is part of the company’s strategy to produce original, quality programming for multiple media platforms. In July, Radical Media launched its first Youtube channel, THNKR, and in Germany, UFA will also launch two Youtube channels

RTL GROUP FURTHER STRENGTHENS ITS CORE BUSINESS

On 27 March 2012, the Groupe M6 project ‘6ter’ was selected as part of the CSA’s call for tender for six new HD channels on digital terrestrial television (DTT). The new channel, to be launched in December 2012, will be a general entertainment channel for the whole family

On 1 April 2012, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland launched a new free-TV channel, RTL Nitro, mainly targeted at male viewers. In May, the channel already scored an audience share of 0.5 per cent among young viewers

On 25 July 2012, FremantleMedia Enterprises and Random House announced a creative and strategic partnership to develop scripted TV programming for the United States and international markets, based on the fiction and non-fiction titles published by Random House imprints in North America and internationally

On 3 September 2012, RTL Nederland will launch its third digital pay-TV channel, RTL Telekids

Launch plan for first joint venture channel in India finalised. BIG-RTL Thrill will be a Hindi-language channel targeting young viewers with action-oriented content

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9

The two Dutch channels RTL 5 and RTL 8unveil their new branding as the new TV season kicks off. The Netherlands – 22 August 2012

From 27 August, RTL 5 will not only have a new logo, but a whole new look. Paul Cormont, Managing Director RTL 5 says: “The ‘look and feel’ of the new logo refl ects RTL 5’s character: it is compelling, challenging and a little bit cheeky. Using the number ‘fi ve’ as a character, the RTL 5 logo is integrated in the various programmes in an amusing way.” The new design was developed by the Grump design agency using state-of-the-art techniques.

RTL 8 will also sport a new on-air look from 27 August. Desiree van Grinsven, Managing Director, RTL 8, comments: “RTL 8’s new design is robust, modern, dynamic and fresh. We work with video, the music is cheerful and upbeat, and we have a new male speaker. The man behind the voice is Boet Schouwink.” RTL 8’s new design is the brainchild of the Terra Lemon design agency.

A NEW LOOK RTL 5 / RTL 8

The new logos of RTL 5 and RTL 8

RTL 5’s new on-air design

RTL 8’s new on-air design

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10

The Fonds de la recherche Scientifi que (FNRS) and Télévie announced the creation of the Télévie Luxembourg non-profi t association. It is designed to consolidatetheir actions in the Grand Duchy with regardto cancer and leukaemia, particularly in children. Luxembourg – 22 August 2012

The Télévie Luxembourg non-profi t association was created to perpetuate the Télévie cause in Luxembourg through an open associative structure. This will help to promote the cause and secure fund management by setting up a partnership with the Dons en Confi ance, a non-profi t association that aims to reassure donors about how their donations are used.

The founding members of Télévie Luxembourg ASBL and the fi rst members of the Board of Directors are: Alain Berwick, CEO RTL Lëtzebuerg; Jean-Philippe Boever, Media and Telecommunications Advisor; Gordon Braun, Civil Servant; Isabelle Medinger, Director of Road Safety; Marie-Thérèse Noé, municipal secretary; Désirée Nosbusch, Actress and Producer; Rose Schaeffer, President of the Kiwanis Foundation; Jean-Louis Schiltz, Lawyer, and Edy Schmit, a Graduate of the HEC Paris business school.

To give a boost to the projects presented in Télévie’s annual framework and to participate in the fi eld if necessary, the TélévieLuxembourg Organisation non-profi t organisation will be formed by the Kiwanis Foundation and the FNRS. In addition, according to an agreement between Télévie Luxembourg ASBL and the FNRS, whose signature is expected by October, Télévie’s scientifi c partnership with the FNRS will be renewed. RTL Lëtzebuerg, for its part, will continue to promote the Télévie campaign in Luxembourg.

Since the creation of Télévie in 1989, more than €125 millionhas been raised in Belgium and Luxembourg for scientifi c research. Almost 1,700 projects have received funding, along with hundreds of international publications.

TÉLÉVIE LUXEMBOURGNON-PROFIT ASSOCIATION IS FORMED

RTL Lëtzebuerg

Alain Berwick

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11

RTL Television’s magazine show Extra and itsreporter Jenke von Wilmsdorff (46) are among this year’s nominees for the prestigious International Emmy Awards, as announced by the International Academy of TelevisionArts & Sciences in New York. Germany – 23 August 2012

Von Wilmsdorff’s report Das gnadenlose Geschäft mit der Flucht aus Afrika (The Merciless Business of Escaping From Africa) was shortlisted along with one production each from Brazil, Canada and China in the ‘Current Events’ category. The Emmy Awards honour internationally outstanding TV achievements outside the US and are seen as the most prestigious TV awards worldwide.

Last year, Jenke von Wilmsdorff, who has worked as a reporter for the RTL Television magazine Extra for eleven years now, became the fi rst TV journalist to accompany hundreds of desperaterefugees on a smuggling boat to Lampedusa in order to document the ruthless exploitation of their plight. After the situation of refugees in the region had come to a head in the turmoil of the Arab Spring, more and more desperate, persecuted people attempted to fl ee to Europe by sea. Von Wilmsdorff and his cameraman Jan Kreutz went on board a smuggling boat in Lella Mariem, Tunisia, along with hundreds of Tunisian refugees who had each paid €1,000 – a whole year’s worth of wages – for an extremely dangerous passage to Lampedusa. Instead of the 15-hour journey they were promised, they ended up spending 45 hours under wretched conditions and cooped up with additional refugees brought on board along the way before fi nally arriving, utterly exhausted, on the Italian island where they were immediately interrogated by the local authorities.

Whether Das gnadenlose Geschäft mit der Flucht aus Afrika, an Info Network production aired on 7 March 2011, is an Emmy Award winner will be revealed on 1 October, whenthe 33rd News & Documentary Emmy Awards are presented in New York. RTL Television has scored three nominations to date, most recently in 2011 for Antonia Rados’ report Among Pirates.

REFUGEE REPORT NOMINATED FOR AN EMMY RTL Television

Reporter Jenke von Wilmsdorff...

Jenke von Wilmsdorff

...aboard a boat with hundreds of refugees

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Big moviesin an open air theaterMore than 1,600 visitors attended the second “UFA Filmnächte” (UFA Film Nights)at Bertelsmann’s Unter den Linden 1 in Berlin.

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13

Whose time is now?Thames

The X Factor is back for an action-packed ninth series as judges Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh are joined by multi-million selling artist Nicole Scherzinger in their search for the nation’s next singing sensation. As many as 9.9 million viewers tuned in to the fi rst episode.United Kingdom – 20 August 2012

Kabel Deutschland adds RTL Nitro HDto its rangeRTL Nitro

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and Kabel Deutschland have signed an agreement to provide RTL Nitro’s programming in high-defi nition to 8.5 million German households.Germany – 20 August 2012

Two new seasons for ITV’s Take Me OutThames

UK broadcaster ITV has ordered two further seasons of FremantleMedia UK’s hit dating show Take Me Out, and has also extended follow-up show Take Me Out: The Gossip.United Kingdom – 21 August 2012

RTL Belgium makes listening more comfortableRTL Belgium

Since 20 August 2012, RTL Belgium applies the European standard for loudness normalisation between televised programmes.Belgium – 21 August 2012

SHORT NEWS 1/2

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14

SHORT NEWS 2/2

Taking charge of one’s weightW9

W9 aired three new episodes of Relooking Extrême: Spécial Obésité (Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition), where the key to a new life is offered to people whose excess weight has become a major handicap on a daily basis. Up to 11.6 per cent of the target group of housewives under 50 tuned in.France – 21 August 2012

Remarkable summertime ratingsM6

On 19 August 2012, M6’s latest episode of L’Eté d’Enquête Exclusive, scored the best audience shares since July 2009, while a new episode of L’Amour est dans le pré exceeded a total audience share of 30 per cent for the fi rst time.France – 22 August 2012

Watch Super Bowl for three more yearsW9

W9 has just renewed its broadcast rights to the Super Bowl until 2015 and will be the only free channel in France to broadcast the most watched sporting event in the United States and one of the most popular worldwide. Groupe M6’s DTT channel has held the rights to this American football competition since 2010 and the Super Bowl has proven to be popular with viewers.France – 23 August 2012

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For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the editorial team:[email protected]