29 September 2011

week 39

Love is in the air How FremantleMedia helps farmers to fi nd a wife – on a global scale

Luxembourg Germany Gerhard Zeiler interviewed Deutschland sucht den Superstar by the Austrian newspaper Kurier presents new jury

Luxembourg / Croatia France RTL Group underlines Music radios present commitment in Central and new season line-up Eastern Europe the RTL Group intranet week 39

Cover: Motif of the promotion campaign of Bauer sucht Frau (The Farmer Wants A Wife) in Germany.

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“Watch love blossom” With a new season of L’amour est dans le pré kicking off in Belgium, Backstage took a look at how the format is being rolled out around the world by FremantleMedia. Trish Kinane United Kingdom - 29 September 2011

The Farmer Wants A Wife is one of top potential partners to spend time living with FremantleMedia’s most popular franchises and them on the farm. probably one of the best examples for how shows are adapted to a local market. The basic Right after the party, daily farm life begins, idea is simple: find committed relationships for and it’s a lot of hard work: get up early, feed farmers, match them with single city dwellers the animals or tend the crops, clean out the who are dreaming of a rural life – and follow stables or cultivate the fields – not the kind of them on their road to romance. Trish Kinane, chores that big-city hands are used to. Who will Acting President of Worldwide Entertainment discover their love for nature, and who can’t at FremantleMedia, explains: “The show came wait to escape back to the city? And which lucky about from a collaborative partnership between single will the farmer eventually choose as their FremantleMedia and The National Magazine ultimate match? Trish Kinane sums up the idea Company. As you can imagine, it can be very behind the format: “Overall it’s a fantastic chance difficult for a farmer working hard on the land to watch love blossom in idyllic rural landscapes, to find the time or opportunity for socialising – with some fun along the way.” they are often in rural locations, raising cattle, growing crops, running a vineyard or operating The local production companies adapt the basic a dairy farm, and so it’s not easy to meet that concept to local lifestyles, habits, cultures and special someone. Likewise, there are a lot of tastes, however the show’s central concept single people in the city who perhaps dream remains consistent – and it is winning ratings of a life in the countryside but haven’t had the worldwide. After broadcasting the French version chance to make it happen. The Farmer Wants in Southern Belgium on Plug RTL, RTL-TVI A Wife came about to bring these people began producing its own local version in 2009. together and help them find love.” On 3 October, L’amour est dans le pré enters its third season on the Belgian channel. Once The programme follows each farmer on their more, Julie Taton sets out to help lonely farmers road to romance. First, the eligible farmers – men find their soulmate. In May, Taton presented ten and women – let the nation know that they’re farmers looking for love. Now, she will hand over looking for love. Photos and details about each the letters sent in by viewers. The five farmers with of the hopeful farmers are promoted nationwide the most letters will meet ten possible soulmates and single people are encouraged to write in and select three of them to visit them on their and express their interest in meeting. Countless farm. The finale of the previous season was letters are received, and each farmer selects watched by an average 657,000 viewers, which his or her top singles who are then invited en translates to a 33 per cent audience share in masse to a social gathering. Is it love at first French-speaking Belgium. In Northern Belgium, sight? Where will the chemistry be right, where the Flemish TV channel VTM also broadcasts a will the sparks fly? The farmers then select their local adaptation of The Farmer Wants A Wife.

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Season seven kicked off on 29 August 2011 and is currently on air. Dina Tersago is helping four male farmers and one female farmer to find love. In the previous season, Buer Zoekt Vrouw attracted an average 1.2 million viewers for an audience share of 42 per cent. Although they are in the same country, both TV channels work independently on the format with their respective production companies.

In 2010, Philippe Delusinne, CEO of RTL Belgium, explained in an interview: “You know, the Flemish and Walloon television worlds are completely separate because of the language and the mentality of these two parts of the Belgian population. These are two diametrically opposed cultures – which is perfectly demonstrated by this format. Listen closely: ‘Farmer. Wants. Wife,’ Buer. Zoekt.Vrouw – which sounds short, concise, clear. And now close your eyes. In French, this becomes L’amour est dans le pré. Here you think of love, fields of plenty, sunshine and poppies. Romance through and through. In short: This is another TV world.”

Boer Zoekt Vrouw, presented by Yvon Jaspers in the Netherlands The Dutch version of Farmer Wants A Wife has become something of a cult show in the Netherlands with more viewers tuning in each week. The fifth season of the romance reality series produced by Blue Circle, FremantleMedia’s Dutch production arm, is broadcast on Nederland 1 and presented by Yvon Jaspers. After the first two episodes, five farmers – four male and one female – were looking for love, and three of them started dating their singles. In In France, L’amour est dans le pré the Netherlands, the most recent series of Boer is presented by Karine Le Marchand Zoekt Vrouw was the country’s highest-rated In France, the sixth season of L’amour est entertainment show since 1995 with audiences dans le pré was once again the most-watched as large as 5.4 million viewers. Season five show during the summer, attracting an average attracted an average 54.6 per cent of the total 6.1 million viewers and an average audience audience, exceeding Nederland 1’s primetime share of 36 per cent among housewives under average by 133 per cent throughout the season. 50. It was also the number one entertainment Season six will come back to screens in Autumn programme on M6 in France in 2009, 2010 and 2012 with a new group of farmers seeking their 2011 (year to date). In France, the show followed perfect match. 12 male and two female farmers on their search for love. Week after week, viewers accompanied In Germany, the local adaptation Bauer sucht the farmers on their quest for a soul mate with the Frau is produced by Grundy Light Entertainment help of Karine Le Marchand. On 12 September, and broadcast on RTL Television. Season seven M6 broadcast the last episode, a summary of the begins on 17 October 2011 and host Inka Bause season, attracting 6.5 million viewers. will help nine farmers with their search for love. In 2010, an average 8 million viewers watched the show on RTL Television, for an audience share of 24.7 per cent among viewers aged 14 to 49.

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Inka Bause, presenter of Bauer sucht Frau, the German version Julie Taton presents L’amour est dans le pré of The Farmer Wants A Wife in French-speaking Belgium

In Australia, which is a far less densely populated the number one show in its time slot across all than the Central European countries, there are audiences. The most recent season attracted arguably even less opportunities for farmers who up to 1.2 million viewers and an audience share live very remotely to fi nd their soulmate. Naturally, of 31 per cent, exceeding Network Nine’s prime distances are larger – farmers are scattered all time average by 23 per cent. around the vast continent, many in out-of-the- way locations – and in the Australian version, city Trish Kinane: “The Farmer Wants A Wife came life contrasts with remote country living far more about to bring these people together and help than it ever could in some parts of Europe. The them fi nd love. And many do! We’ve seen show, hosted by Natalie Gruzlewski, lets viewers engagements, marriages, babies in many follow six lonely farmers on the road to romance territories, and scores of happy couples. Like the as they choose between hundreds of prospective ratings, it’s a fantastic indication of the show’s partners. The Farmer Wants A Wife is regularly success.”

The Farmer Wants A Wife, Australian flavor 5 the RTL Group intranet week 39

Strong programme brands prevail In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Kurier, RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler discussed the future of television, technological changes and programme trends. Luxembourg - 26 September 2011

Gerhard Zeiler

According to Zeiler, consumers can already Zeiler says that above all, the growing glimpse the future of television: “What we can convergence of internet and TV offers new expect, and to a certain extent it is already opportunities. For example, he says catch-up here, is even higher-quality television – larger platforms show “that there is a real and screens and higher resolution, better picture growing demand for non-linear television.” quality. In short, HD will play a major role in the He says it is important that this usage is next five to ten years.” At the same time, Zeiler in addition to linear television, rather than says the introduction of HD has shown that a instead of it. Viewers mainly watch “their technological shift takes time, so he doubts that favourite shows, having missed them when 3-D television will catch on. But TV will also be they were broadcast. In other words, the available on mobile devices. Zeiler: “Overall, on-demand world benefits what we call these developments will continue to increase blockbuster television – the big shows that television consumption – there is simply more people talk about. And it benefits successful choice and more opportunity for how the TV serial formats that are already popular – audience watches TV. Ultimately consumers daily soaps, shows like Das Perfekte Dinner couldn’t care less how the signal is delivered to (Come Dine With Me) and series like Desperate them.” Housewives. These are the winners across all major markets. This development benefits a major TV company like RTL Group, because we have these strong programme brands.”

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But, Zeiler says, certain conditions must be met the end of the day, there have always been for this to be implemented. One way of doing other providers that offer further opportunities for this is to create families of channels. Zeiler: viewing.” “In my opinion, at a time when there are so many technological changes and so many new Zeiler sees one change in terms of program- offerings, you can only reach your goals ming: the importance of US series is falling, if you can achieve a certain minimum while locally produced series are becoming more audience share. The minimum for our important again. “Audience tastes are changing, families of channels is 20 per cent of viewers – a and therefore so are the channels’ production 30 per cent market share would be even better and procurement policies,” says Zeiler. “Over – of key demographic groups for advertisers the next few years there will be even more in each case, of course. This ratings strength investment in locally produced fiction, drama enables us to talk and negotiate on an equal series and sitcoms. This trend has already footing in every respect – with platform begun.” operators, rights holders and media agencies.” But Zeiler didn’t make any predictions about Zeiler also sees no great risk to his the future of the business: “Just like any other company from new providers like Hulu, Netflix commercial enterprise, I can’t foresee the future. and Amazon: “These providers are ultimately What I can say is that to date RTL Group has not ‘rerun machines’ that so far haven’t produced felt any significant effects of the macroeconomic any original content. They give the consumer uncertainty. Mind you, we can only see until a second or third opportunity to look at October at this point. We can’t predict how the something that has already been on television business will develop in November, December, or in theatres. With our hit formats – Got Talent, or January, and so it makes no sense to Idols, X Factor – we, the major TV networks, speculate. In any case, business is going very must always be the number one choice. At well to date.”

Interview with Gerhard Zeiler in the Austrian newspaper Kurier 7 the RTL Group intranet week 39

Local content rules From 22 to 25 September, media executives from the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region gathered at the Weekend Media Festival in Croatia. With contributions from two of its top executives, Andreas Rudas and Johannes Züll, RTL Group underlined its commitment to the region. Andreas Rudas Luxembourg / Croatia - 27 September 2011

Since its inception in 2008, the Weekend Media confident and to believe that nothing will affect Festival in Rovinj, Croatia, has established itself the business. Second, to be scared and to leave as one of the most important media conferences the TV industry. The third way is our way: we at for the whole CEE region, with around 3,500 RTL Group rely on our strengths, expertise, our participants from more than 15 countries, creativity and our brands – and we’ve developed including Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, and even a clear future strategy.” the US and the UK. This year, Andreas Rudas, Executive Vice President Regional Operations While explaining the cornerstones of & Business Development Central and Eastern RTL Group’s strategy – from building families Europe of RTL Group, gave one of the first of channels and investing in content to lectures of the festival, titled “The future of diversification and establishing a second Free-TV”. revenue stream – Andreas Rudas highlighted two key points. First, the importance of local In his presentation, Andreas Rudas first content. “Only with local content, broadcasters explained the three main challenges for build up a brand and create unique selling television in the digital age: an ever increasing propositions,” said Andreas Rudas and referred competition with more and more TV channels, to the high ratings of the recently launched platforms and devices; the technological change Croatian drama series Ruža vjetrova on mainly driven by the merging worlds of TV and RTL Televizija. the internet; and a shift in consumer behaviour with rapidly growing non-linear TV viewing. Secondly, Andreas Rudas called for the “There are three possible reactions to these support from regulators to further develop the fundamental changes. First, to be too self- broadcasters’ business models, especially when

Andreas Rudas at the Weekend Media Festival in Croatia 8 the RTL Group intranet week 39

Johannes Züll (left) with host Jasna Hrvič-Smolec it comes to building family of channels and Another – unintended – highlight of the introducing new, innovative forms of advertis- festival was the session “News Phenomenon” ing: “Regulators will have to understand that we on Saturday morning (24 September), when need this advertising income to invest further the moderator of the session started a long in content. And they should also understand monologue instead of triggering a debate among that advertising is important to boost the overall the various representatives – and both the economy.” panelists – among them Ivan Lovreček, Editor-in-Chief of RTL Televizija – and the During the afternoon of Friday 23 September, audience left the room. Johannes Züll, CEO of RTL Hrvatska, joined a panel discussion titled “More Players, Less Cake? TV Market Fragmentation”. Johannes Züll emphasized: “It is good that fragmentation is taking place and viewers have possibility to choose, but at the end only good quality content wins. We always offer new and more to our viewers so we launched a new catch-up TV service for our local formats called RTL Sada.”

In a discussion related to the role of the Croatian public broadcaster, HRT, Züll added that public TV should focus on content of public interest, while commercial programmes such as soap Johannes Züll operas and Hollywood blockbusters should not be broadcasted by HRT. “At the end, we all pay 80 Kunas per month – but not for that type of content on public TV.”

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A new jury for 2012 From spring 2012, Natalie Horler, singer of Cascada fame, and the fashion icon and choreographer Bruce Darnell will join Dieter Bohlen on the judging panel of Deutschland sucht den Superstar (Idols). Germany - 28 September 2011

Bruce Darnell, Natalie Horler and Dieter Bohlen (from left to right)

Natalie Horler, a native of Britain, currently Tom Sänger, Head of Entertainment Show and lives in Bonn (Germany), has sold more than Daytime at RTL Television, says: “Dieter Bohlen, 30 million recordings worldwide in the eight Bruce Darnell and Natalie Horler. This is without years of her career, and has won all the major a doubt one of the strongest Deutschland sucht music awards. Her greatest hits include den Superstar juries of all time. Cascada’s Everytime We Touch, which went to the Top Natalie is clearly an icon of international 10 in the US charts in 2006. In 2009, Natalie’s success, with more than 30 million recordings platinum-selling mega-dance hit Evacuate The sold worldwide. Audience darling Bruce Darnell Dancefloor took her to number one in the UK will not only judge the candidates with all his charts and the Top 10 in 20 other countries. experience and compassion, but also serve as their coach, advisor and friend. Bruce and American-born Bruce Darnell came to Germany Natalie are ideal judges alongside Dieter as a model in 1993, and took to the catwalk for Bohlen.” fashion labels including Kenzo, Issey Miyake, Hermès and Calvin Klein. Since 1990, Auditions for the new season are now ongoing; Darnell has worked as a choreographer and the Deutschland sucht den Superstar truck will coached models for the catwalk. In 2006, be touring Germany, Austria and Switzerland in Darnell rose to fame as a judge on Germany’s search of talented singers until 12 December Next Topmodel. Bruce sat on the judging panel 2011. The show is produced by Grundy Light of Das Supertalent (Got Talent) alongside Dieter Entertainment. Bohlen and Sylvie van der Vaart from the show’s second season, but has taken some time off over the past few months. 10 the RTL Group intranet week 39

20 years as the nation’s early bird Wolfram Kons has been presenting RTL Television’s breakfast show for exactly 20 years, making the Düsseldorf-born presenter one of the longest-serving presenters on German television. Wolfram Kons Germany - 27 September 2011

Wolfram Kons was discovered in 1991 when he How much has the RTL Television morning reported live for the first time as a young reporter show changed over all those years? for RTL Television about the August coup against I’ve seen every type of long and short news – President Gorbachev in Moscow. The channel three-hour shows, later even four hours, from managers immediately saw his potential and 5:30 to 9:30. Then there was Punkt 7, which only ordered him directly from Moscow to ran for half an hour. Now we’re back to two hours Luxembourg, where the RTL breakfast with Punkt 6 and Punkt 9. I’ve taken turns sitting television show (Guten Morgen Deutschland – alone in the studio or with colleagues, like now, Good Morning Germany) was then produced. which I’m very happy about. A presenter duo in Since then, he has been the face of breakfast the morning just makes things a lot more fun. TV. Has the audience for breakfast television Kons has presented RTL Television’s early- changed significantly? morning news alone and in tandem for up The audience has grown older with us. Many to four hours at a time and, for a time, for only new and especially young viewers, even very half an hour. Today, with his colleagues young ones who tune in before going to school. Roberta Bieling, Angela Finger-Erben, Miriam Although we are pleased with every viewer, of Lange, Jennifer Knäble and Bernd Fuchs course, frankly nothing can replace family time he presents the 90-minute Punkt 6 and then the at the breakfast table – not even newspapers, half-hour Punkt 9. In addition, since 1996 radio or television. he has hosted the RTL-Spendenmarathon telethon and is head of the RTL – Wir helfen RTL Television’s early-morning has been the Kindern children’s foundation as well as morning market leader for many years. How being RTL Television’s Charity Director. long do you intend to keep waking Germany In an interview, Kons talks about his work and up in the morning? 20 years of the morning show. The audience ratings are in fact excellent, but we have to earn them anew every morning. I’d Mr. Kons, you are the longest-serving really love to continue being involved in this with breakfast host – was this your career my team for a long time if it continues to go well. master plan when you first entered the studio In the US, where breakfast TV was invented and in 1991? is the first prime time of the day, the anchormen No, that’s something you don’t really think about stay on air for decades. I still have lots of ideas when you’re 27. For me it was perfect timing. I’d about what we can do in the morning. Every just finished law school, things were going great morning is indeed a new opportunity – and I at Radio Gong in Munich, and I had just set up want to use it. a small TV production firm with a friend. Then came the offer from RTL Television. You can do that first, I thought. And now I’m amazed that – whoosh – two decades have passed.

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“Radio stations in great shape” RTL Group’s French music stations launch a new season based on programme schedule continuity, brand development and diversification. Jérôme Fouqueray, General Manager of Fun Radio and RTL2 France - 23 September 2011

“Right at the outset I would like to point out that the radio stations welcoming you here this evening are in great shape,” said Jérôme Fouqueray, General Manager of Fun Radio and RTL 2, at the beginning of his presentation on the autumn season. “Fun Radio and RTL 2 can look back on record ratings during the 2010/11 season, and have never enjoyed such pre-eminence among music stations.”

Jérôme Fouqueray’s objective for this season is clear: “To continue pushing up our ratings while accelerating the development of our brands by Pop Rock station by Zegut strengthening our positions in the digital domain and stepping up our efforts at diversification.” The new programmes lined up include a January 2012 concert coproduced with Universal Last season, RTL 2 managed to consolidate its that will bring together the top French pop and leadership on all counts among radio stations rock artists and the best new talent emerging targeting young adults, not just in terms of its in 2011. The big names featured will include cumulative audience (more than 2,443,000 Calogero, Gerald de Palmas and Thomas listeners per day), but also with respect to its Dutronc. RTL 2 will also act as a partner for many market share and average quarter hour. What concerts, starting in November with Jean-Louis is more, RTL 2’s last four seasons have been Aubert and the concert event of Lenny Kravitz’s characterised by the station’s best ever appearance at Paris-Bercy. Lenny Kravitz will audience results. also lend his image to RTL 2 for a TV advertising campaign scheduled to start on 5 October. Spurred on by this accomplishment, RTL 2 intends to really underpin its position, For Fun Radio “this will be a very important counting not only on the continuing success of season, given the station’s current high its hit programmes, like the morning show Le ratings and the size of the development grand morning and the cult programme Pop-rock projects currently under way,” confided Jérôme station by Zegut, but also on the consistency, Fouqueray. 2010/11 was a season that smashed clarity and efficiency of its music strategy. all previous records, with the four ratings Furthermore, this year the station will also achieved between September 2010 and June prioritise proximity with the public via regular, 2011 giving the company its four highest scores sustained actions throughout France by local since switching to the target group of listeners broadcasting units. Accordingly the RTL 2 sur la aged 13 and over. Furthermore, with 4,034,000 route road show will continue taking the station’s listeners a day, Fun Radio crossed the symbolic two flagship programmes to France’s largest threshold of 4 million listeners a day for the first cities. time. 12 the RTL Group intranet week 39

Beyond its cheeky programmes like the morning show Bruno dans la radio et Libre antenne de Karel, Fun Radio also owes its success not only to long-term associations with the coolest, most popular artists on the dance floor scene, like Britney Spears, Madonna, Lady Gaga and David Guetta, but also to its ability to adapt to new media and the organisation of numerous events. For the coming season, a third edition of Starfloor has already been scheduled for 26 November and will feature the biggest stars on the planet and the best French DJs. The event is expected to attract no fewer than 17,000 visitors.

On top of this, continuing its efforts to diversify into other business activities, Fun Radio announced the launch this September of an online banking service together with the credit union Crédit Mutuel Arkea. On a very different note, Fun Radio will continue its development outside France, seeking business in countries other than Belgium and Slovakia, where it is already active. To this end, the station is seeking the best possible partners to shore up its presence in Eastern Europe and on the American and Asian continents. Its current aim is to establish the brand in at least three distinct territories over the coming three years.

Le Grand Morning with Christophe Nicolas (left) and Agathe Lecaron

13 Offshore energy

A new offshore wind farm is built in the Baltic sea, consisting of 21 gigantic wind turbines – each of them as high as the Cologne Cathedral with 2.3 megawatt of power. On 29 September at 20:05, N-TV portraits how the engineers handled this huge project in just one year. the RTL Group intranet week 39

Strong TV summer in Hungary The Hungarian TV channel RTL Klub had a strong TV summer, and significantly outperformed the competition, attracting an average of 27.3 per cent of the viewers aged 18 to 49. Hungary - 23 September 2011

The Voice of Holland kicks off with over 3 million viewers The first episode of season two of The Voice Of Holland attracted 3.3 million viewers, making it the day’s most-watched programme by a wide margin. The total audience share amounted to almost 50 per cent in the target group shoppers aged 20 to 49. The Netherlands - 26 September 2011

Capital investigates skyrocketing prices Airing on M6 in prime time on 25 September 2011, the economic magazine Capital on the theme “Life costs more: revelations on skyrocketing prices” attracted 3.2 million viewers for a total audience share of 13.2 per cent. France - 26 September 2011

First judge for new model talent show has been chosen Supermodel Eva Padberg will seek Das perfekte Model for Vox on air during the season 2011/12. Germany - 27 September 2011

Number one in summer and winter On 27 September, Médiamétrie unveiled the radio ratings for the period July to August 2011. Summer smiled once again on RTL Radio, which ranked at the top of the most listened-to radio stations with 5,340,000 listeners tuning in every day. France - 28 September 2011

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Number one in summer and winter Eight thousand job offers were posted on Monday 26 September on the RTL.fr website for the 31st Journée RTL Emploi. France - 28 September 2011

A euro for every metre That was the promise of SSC, the organisers of the 38th BMW Berlin Marathon, to the VIP/celebrity relay team who set off for “RTL – Wir helfen Kindern” (We help children). In the end more than €40,000 was raised. Germany - 28 September 2011

PKK supporters occupy editorial offices On 28 September at around 16:15, approximately 30 supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) gained access to the Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland broadcasting centre. After the group refused to comply with repeated requests to leave the building, the Police cleared the editorial offices. Germany - 29 September 2011

SOS Emploi helps listeners find their way On 28 September it was Bel RTL’s turn to rally in aid of job seekers as well as companies searching for staff by renewing the “SOS Emploi” initiative. Belgium - 29 September 2011

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People Paul O’Hanlon United Kingdom - 23 September 2011

FremantleMedia has promoted Paul O’Hanlon, O’Hanlon has extensive experience as currently Executive Producer, Production and a television executive in a diverse group of Development with FremantleMedia Australia territories including Hong Kong, Indonesia, (FMA), to the position of Managing Director, China, Taiwan, India and Afghanistan. Prior Asia. to joining FMA in February 2011 as Executive Producer, Production and Development, In his new role, he will be responsible for the O’Hanlon was International Advisor and business performance of FremantleMedia’s Programme Director with Next TV in Taiwan. production operations in Asia, and will report to Throughout 2009, O’Hanlon worked in Kabul, Ian Hogg, CEO Asia Pacific. O’Hanlon will be Afghanistan where he managed and created based in Singapore and will commence his new new entertainment based programming content role in October. for Afghanistan’s two largest free to air television networks, as well as developing and launching Ian Hogg said: “FremantleMedia has a thriving Current Affairs and News programming for business in Asia with more than 45 local formats Afghanistan’s 2009 Election. Prior to this, in production this year alone. Paul will oversee O’Hanlon had five years with Star TV as the current production slate as well as driving Senior Vice President of Production based new business, creatively and commercially, in Hong Kong, responsible for managing the across Asia. He has an intuitive understanding of regional production teams, output and efficiency the region with extensive experience and great of Asia’s largest television network. From 2000 success in both management and production, to 2004 O’Hanlon ran his own independent and I look forward to working with him to further production company, creating and producing enhance FremantleMedia’s industry leading content for local and international partners presence in this vibrant region”. including Columbia Tri Star International (Sony Television) and Astro Pay TV in Kuala Lumpur, Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director, Asia, Malaysia. FremantleMedia, says: “I have a long held passion for the Asian television market and this new role is a unique and exciting opportunity to further FremantleMedia’s growth in the region. I’ll be focusing on the development process and our drive to create and inspire new, innovative programming in this diverse and dynamic part of the world.”

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People Armin van Buuren The Netherlands - 29 September 2011

Armin van Buuren (left) and Jan-Willem Brüggenwirth

Armin van Buuren has extended his contract Jan-Willem Brüggenwirth, General Manager of with Radio 538 for another two years. Radio 538, says: “We work really well together and want our company to be home to the best Van Buuren first announced the news on the DJs in the world. We are delighted to be able morning show Evers Staat Op. To celebrate the to continue working together for another two contract extension, he will broadcast a special years.” edition of his show A State Of Trance on Friday 30 September. Following the broadcast of the weekly show, which runs from 22:00 to midnight, Radio 538 will broadcast a four-hour Armin van Buuren set from Club Space in Ibiza.

Says van Buuren: “Even as a child I was fascinated by the radio and always dreamed of having my own show – now everything is coming together with A State Of Trance. Last year I started my adventure at Radio 538 and now I can proudly say that I’m staying with the coolest radio station in the Netherlands until at least 2013.”

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