week 47 / 21 November 2013
A UNIQUE COLLABORATION How RTL Nederland, SBS and NPO are launching a joint video-on-demand subscription service
Luxembourg United Kingdom Luxembourg Belgium RTL Group Three more In the spotlight Television industry companies help years of Britain’s of financial market celebrates World typhoon victims Got Talent and Television Day The X Factor week 47 / 21 November 2013
A UNIQUE COLLABORATION How RTL Nederland, SBS and NPO are launching a joint video-on-demand subscription service
Luxembourg Australia / Germany France Canada RTL Group reports FremantleMedia Groupe M6 sets Broadband TV significant profit locks in first up Multi-Channel announces growth adaptation deal Network a production for Wentworth programme
Cover In the spotlight Montage with main programmes of the financial featured by NLziet from Dutch broadcasters market RTL Group p. 10–11 Publisher RTL Group 45, Bd Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg Television industry unites to celebrate World Television Day ACT p. 12–13 Editor, Design, Production RTL Group Corporate Communications & Marketing
k before y hin ou T p r in t
backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de QUICK VIEW
RTL Group companies help typhoon victims RTL Group p. 7–8
Three more years of Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor FremantleMedia UK p. 9 The best of Dutch TV in one stop: NLziet RTL Nederland In the spotlight p.4–6 of the financial market RTL Group p. 10–11
Television industry unites to celebrate World Television Day ACT p. 12–13
SHORT NEWS p. 14–15
In early 2014, RTL Nederland, NPO and SBS will launch NLziet, a THE BEST OF new video-on-demand subscription service for Dutch viewers. The new DUTCH TV IN service represents a unique collaboration between commercial and public broadcasters. ONE STOP
The Netherlands – 21 November 2013 RTL Nederland
Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland, being interviewed at the press conference
4 From TV series and films to reality shows, audience have changed. We, as broadcasters, have documentaries and talent shows, NLziet lets to understand that these requirements go beyond viewers watch Holland’s most popular programmes our own set of rules. Viewers often have no idea up to 365 days after they are broadcast on TV. where a programme was originally broadcast, they Some shows will even be available seven days just follow a fundamental need to decide what, when prior to broadcast. “Today is a historic day for all and where to watch something.” TV-lovers in the Netherlands,” Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland, declared at the press conference The three platforms will remain independent from announcing the new service. He explained the one another, also to ensure that the cash flows rationale behind the new platform: “There is one remain strictly separated between public and factor that unites the three companies more strongly commercial broadcasters. The project itself will be than anything that divides us: the TV viewers. In financed by the three parties, and income will be recent years it became evident that consumers split according to the number of minutes of content not only want great, funny, helpful and emotional watched on each of the partners’ portals. The public content, but that they need something more basic broadcaster NPO will additionally ensure that no and fundamental: to be in the driver’s seat.” And that public money is spent for the platform. will be possible with NLziet. In essence, this new service gives subscribers the freedom to decide Bert Habets: “We realised that in order to make when to watch their favourite programmes, in the this project happen, we needed to step out of our highest quality and without any interruptions from comfort zone. The Netherlands have a reputation of ads. being one of the world’s most innovative television markets. A combined subscription VOD service by “Nearly two years ago, I called Henk Hagoort – the country’s key players is the next logical step the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the in the development of a TV-loving country like the Nederlandse Publieke Omroep – with the idea of a Netherlands.” joint subscription-based video-on-demand service,” says Bert Habets. “He liked the idea immediately To start with, NLziet will only be accessible via PC but also pointed out that we needed to figure out (Windows, MacOS, Linux), and later via smartphone, the regulatory framework. Now, the collaboration tablet and TV as well. An integrated search engine agreement has been signed and the establishment allows viewers to search for programmes from the of the project is a fact.” three broadcasting companies. While the website NLziet.nl – which is already live for prelaunch – will NLziet will launch at the beginning of 2014. It is not be jointly operated by RTL, NPO and SBS, each meant to replace the various broadcasters’ existing VOD platform remains technically independent from platforms, but offers subscribers one-stop access one another and no joint advertising model will be to the large assortment of programmes available set up. Also, every party will deal with producers on the three online platforms – RTL XL, NPO Plus independently. and Kijk. Habets says: “The requirements of the TV
Hans Edin, CEO of SBS Nederland, Henk Hagoort, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NPO and Bert Habets, CEO RTL Nederland (from left to right) Next > 5 NLziet is not limited to RTL Nederland, NPO and “Now that I’m here talking to you about the project, SBS. “We have indicated that NLziet ist an open it all seems quite logical and the idea was realised service where the independence of existing quite quickly – as is the case with all really good platforms is maintained and no joint advertising ideas,” Habets says. “This is the result of thinking, model is put to the market,” says Habets. “Other puzzling, eliminating and compromising over the Dutch broadcasters are welcome to join and of past few months, as the partners didn’t always have course we are open to cooperation with all partners the same opinion. But I can tell you that our faith and in the distribution market. We want to be a platform will to make NLziet a success is strong – otherwise that is as broadly available as possible.” we would have discontinued this project a while ago.” The product itself is still in development, so the three companies declined to provide more details about the subscription price and launch date. Anyone interested in the offer can already register at NLziet.nl, and will be invited for a free 30 day subscription at the beginning of 2014.
NLziet will feature content from ten Dutch broadcasters
6 RTL GROUP COMPANIES HELP TYPHOON VICTIMS RTL Group
The devastating situation in the disaster areas in the Philippines has prompted many RTL Group companies to call for donations, including RTL Television, RTL 4, FremantleMedia and Atresmedia. Luxembourg – 19 November 2013
Immediately after the disaster, ‘RTL - Wir helfen Kindern’ launched a major fundraising campaign in aid of the typhoon victims. In TV programmes and online posts, viewers were informed about the situation in the disaster areas and called on to donate. To date, the ‘RTL - Wir helfen Kindern’ account for the typhoon victims in the Philippines has received €647,578. Action Medeor used the funds to locally deliver trauma kits, which contain painkillers, antibiotics and everything that is needed for surgical procedures, and Care was able to start the distribution of packages containing food.
RTL Charity Director and anchor Wolfram Kons explained: “It goes without saying that we will continue to focus our efforts on our eight selected projects to help children. But when, just days before our big fundraiser, a disaster plunges millions of families and their children into a dramatic emergency, it is our duty to respond topically and swiftly. In the 24 hours of our telethon, we reach more viewers than any other charity show on German television. So for this reason, we are also us- ing the RTL-Spendenmarathon to help the people of the Philippines.” During the 18th RTL-Spendenmarathon, RTL reporters will report from the disaster areas on the current situation of the people there. Kons will Wolfram Kons, RTL Charity Director and anchor also welcome to the studio employees from the cooperation partners that have been providing emergency relief in the disaster zones for the past week with funds raised earlier by the ‘RTL Wir helfen Kindern’ foundation. The RTL-Spendenmarathon kicks off on 21 November at 18:00 on RTL Television.
In the Netherlands, RTL 4, SBS 6 and the public broadcasters teamed up with Dutch relief organisations to host a day of action for the Philippines. From 6:00 to midnight, there were numerous special programmes and calls for donations. During the RTL Nieuws newscast on RTL 4, and as part of RTL Z on RTL 7, audiences were repeatedly called on to donate, and Koffietijd, Editie NL and RTL Boulevard also devoted themselves to the fundraiser, before the day of action culminated in Nationale Actie Filipijnen: Giro 555 at 22:30 – live on Nationale Actie Filipijnen: Giro 555 RTL 4, SBS 6 and Nederland 1. In total, €18.5 million was raised. Next >
7 United Kingdom The X Factor in the UK announced that it will donate proceeds from this past weekend’s contestant vote and live performance downloads to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Philippines Typhoon Appeal.
Simon Cowell tweeted on the subject
ITV, Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia will together donate a minimum of 50 pence from every track downloaded from the weekend 16 and 17 November to the appeal.
Spain Atresmedia has an on-going collaboration agreement with Unicef to support their humanitarian efforts in case of emergency situations. In this capacity, Atresmedia is superimposing Unicef tickers during Antena 3’s programming, inviting viewers to contribute to Unicef’s rescue funds.
Moreover, Atresmedia’s TV channel La Sexta is, during its news segments, informing viewers of the humanitarian funds raised by the major NGOs working in the field, such as Red Cross, Unicef, Oxfam and Doctors without Borders. Atresmedia is superimposing Unicef tickers during Antena 3’s programming Luxembourg Meanwhile, in Luxembourg, Elmar Heggen, Chief Financial Officer of RTL Group and Head of the Corporate Centre, says: “Faced with the images of the typhoon-ravaged Philippines, we believe that the upcoming season is an auspicious time for generosity and charity efforts. We have therefore decided to skip this year’s Corporate Centre staff party and donate the allocated budget to aid the survivors of the disaster.”
To this end and after careful consideration of the humanitarian organisations that are currently collecting funds for the Philippines in Luxembourg, €20,000 will be made available to “Médecins Sans Frontières” (MSF) in Luxembourg, whose priority is to address the urgent and immediate medical needs in the Philippines. MSF have already sent over 350 tonnes of supplies (medical and relief items) and an emergency team of 100 specialists to the devastated areas. A further 100 aid experts are on their way, including doctors, nurses, surgeons, logisticians, water and sanitation experts, and psychologists.
8 THREE MORE YEARS OF WORLD-CLASS ENTERTAINMENT FremantleMedia UK
A new three-year deal has been struck for The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, two of the UK’s biggest television formats. United Kingdom – 19 November 2013
The contract, with Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia UK, prolongs ITV’s fruitful long-running relationship with Simon Cowell until the end of 2016.
Sara Geater, CEO of FremantleMedia UK Britain’s Got Talent will once again return to ITV next Spring for an eighth series, with the eleventh series of The X Factor following in the Autumn. ITV2 will also continue to broadcast sister shows The Xtra Factor and Britain’s Got More Talent.
Sara Geater, CEO, FremantleMedia UK said: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with ITV and Syco. Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor are two of the UK’s most successful shows, which is a testament to the talented production teams behind both series, and we look forward to bringing viewers more world-class entertainment for a further three years.”
Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television, said: “Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor are two of the most popular and most talked about shows on TV. They set the gold standard for entertainment production. We’re pleased to announce this deal which will see them continue to be an important part of ITV’s schedule.”
Simon Cowell said: “I am thrilled that we have extended our deal with ITV for Britain’s Got Talent and The X Factor. They have been fantastic partners and we have some exciting new plans to take the shows to Simon Cowell the next level.”
Charles Garland, CEO, Syco Entertainment said: “This new agreement is testament to both the strength of our television brands and the quality of our partnership with ITV and Fremantle.”
9 IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE FINANCIAL MARKET RTL Group
From 13 to 15 November, RTL Group’s communicators and spokespersons convened in Luxembourg for their seventh Communications Network Meeting. They discussed the implications of the RTL Group re-IPO for their work, and the increasing importance of Corporate Responsibility. Luxembourg – 19 November 2013
Participants of the Communications Network Meeting 2013
RTL Group Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch opened the meeting on 14 November with a detailed overview of the three pillars of RTL Group’s strategy (broadcast, content, digital) and answered questions from the press officers in attendance. He laid emphasis on the leading market positions and financial power of RTL Group, but also the need for further investments to create new revenue growth.
Andrew Buckhurst, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, then reported on the re-IPO in the spring of 2013 and spoke in much detail and with some anecdotes about the key elements analyst presentation, prospectus and roadshow. Oliver Fahlbusch, Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Marketing at RTL Group, spoke about the implications of the increased free float of RTL Group shares and the additional listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange for the work of the spokespersons. Among those new
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10 requirements are more detailed quarterly reporting and higher visibility for RTL Group among analysts and financial journalists – accordingly it is increasingly important to coordinate price sensitive quotes and information within the decentralised Group.
“This meeting is mainly about increasing the cooperation and information sharing among each other,” says Fahlbusch. “For example, it is important that messages from our broadcasters and production companies support RTL Group’s equity story.” After lunch, Julien Rossi, media analyst at the US bank Morgan Stanley, elaborated on how the financial markets view RTL Group and how analysts rate a media company.
The CNM participants had a chance to catch-up... In the afternoon, communicators from the Corporate Centre and the various profit centres presented projects currently being worked on by their public relations teams: Mary O’Reilly, Director Communications at FremantleMedia, spoke about the changes in the strategy of RTL Group’s production arm and their impact on communications. Dan Gamble and Neel Singh of Broadband TV then presented the multi-channel network RTL Group entered into a strategic partnership with in June 2013. Their key target group are the so-called Youtubers – producers of video content for whom Broadband TV works. With the idea of “tribal marketing”, the company aims to reach influential opinion leaders for topics such as video games, fitness or music. Guillaume Turin of Groupe M6 and Konstantin von Stechow of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland presented the communication strategies for the newly launched TV channels 6ter and RTL Nitro.
Friday morning was devoted to an interactive workshop on ‘Corporate Responsibility’ led by Rupert Younger, Director of the ...and meet new faces at the get-together Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation. Younger on Wednesday night (Neel Singh of BroadbandTV) introduced the issue, quoting a popular essay of Milton Friedman which said that the only “social responsibility of business is to increase its profits”, and put this controversial thesis up for discussion. Two groups of participants then had an Oxford Union Debate about the issue and discussed lively, before Younger talked to Romain Mannelli, Executive Vice President HR at RTL Group, about the significance of Corporate Responsibility for RTL Group. Since 2012, Romain Mannelli has been chairing the Corporate Responsibility Council of RTL Group.
“This year, the RTL Group Communications Network Meeting was more international than ever before,” said Oliver Fahlbusch. “I am very pleased that this time we had participants from Big Thrill RTL in India and FremantleMedia Australia and North America, too – and we also welcomed colleagues from Broadband TV in Canada for the first time. The fact that people travel great distances to attend underscores how important this meeting has become for our communicators. Besides intensive information exchange and expanding the personal network, especially the workshop by Rupert Younger especially helped to position the meeting as a valuable training offer. With increasing trust, our discussions have become more open and of higher quality over the past years. We’d like to continue this.”
11 TELEVISION INDUSTRY UNITES TO CELEBRATE WORLD TELEVISION DAY ACT
On 21 November, broadcasters, sales houses and TV lovers around the world celebrate the UN World Television Day. Proclaimed in 1996 by the United Nations, the day marks the growing significance of television in today’s changing world. Belgium – 21 November 2013
Television is the leading and most popular medium in today’s digital era. It entertains, informs and engages its audiences. It is the cornerstone of democracy, as it safeguards freedom of expression and pluralism, as well as promotes cultural diversity and stimulates creativity. In Europe, TV viewership has increased to an average of 235 minutes per day, as TV broadcasters offer quality programmes on multiple devices.
The key European industry bodies including the Association of Commercial Television in Europe (ACT), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Association of Television and Radio Sales Houses (Egta) have joined forces to celebrate the World Television Day. As part of the celebration, they have commissioned a video showcasing TV’s power to engage. The clip features people of all ages and nationalities watching TV content, from entertainment to news, sports to drama, across a range of different devices.
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12 On the occasion of World TV Day, Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations states: “Television helps bring the world to people’s lives and living rooms. Through quality programming, television sheds light on global issues and opens windows of understanding on the struggles and hopes of communities and families everywhere. The United Nations looks forward to continuing our work with broadcasters to help inform, educate and build a better world.”
Philippe Delusinne, ACT President and CEO RTL Belgium, says: “Television is the most beloved and most powerful social medium around the world. Our success story is built on proximity to our audience, local relevance and telling great stories. That’s why people watch more TV than ever. In today’s digital world, TV is constantly evolving with one major goal: we want the viewers to be the big winners of this technological evolution. In the end, new technology Philippe Delusinne, ACT President and means more ways to watch TV: what you want, when you want and CEO of RTL Belgium on whatever screen you want. I am confident that we will continue our success story. – why do I know this? Because of the thousands of talented people who work in television, backstage or on screen. It’s an honour to be part of this media family. Happy World Television Day.”
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth states: “While the digital revolution has empowered individuals with an unprecedented diversity of communication tools, television remains the most powerful medium of all. It allows people of all ages and backgrounds – to easily share information, views and emotions. Television has a key role to play in education, and it enables viewers to enjoy the richness of our cultural diversity, contributing to a more creative Europe.” To mark the occasion, the associations also launched a website where prominent personalities from the world share their views on television’s overwhelming influence
13 SHORT NEWS 1/2
The French radio market from September to October 2013 RTL Radio, Fun Radio, RTL 2
The first survey of the 2013/14 season confirmed RTL Radio’s leading position in audience share, average quarter hour and listening duration. Fun Radio became France’s number two music radio station and RTL 2 kept its number one spot in the young adult segment. France – 20 November 2013
Super RTL acquires promising new franchise: Peter Rabbit Super RTL
The licensing agency of the children’s channel Super RTL has secured the rights to CGI’s globally successful preschool format, Peter Rabbit. Germany – 15 November 2013
Christmas spirit gets competitive in December FremantleMedia North America
Produced by FremantleMedia North America (FMNA), the new competition series Lights, Camera, Christmas! will feature families from across the US decorating their homes with extraordinary Christmas-light displays in the hopes of winning a Grand Prize of $50,000. North America – 15 November 2013
Sliding towards comedy success Antena 3
Antena 3 recently launched the international hit programme Me resbala (Slide Show) in prime time. Produced by Shine Iberia, the best comedians in Spain have to prove what they’re worth. Spain – 15 November 2013
14 SHORT NEWS 2/2
The Physician: new trailer gives a preview of movie’s epic production UFA Cinema
FremantleMedia’s subsidiary UFA premiered the new trailer for the upcoming historical movie The Physician. The trailer, also available online, gives a taste of the movie’s production magnitude. Germany – 18 November 2013
Off to Israel RTL Group
A delegation of representatives from RTL Group’s Programme Syco visited Keshet, the Israeli broadcaster and producer behind talent show Rising Star. Luxembourg – 18 November 2013
Antena 3 celebrates Universal Children’s Day Antena 3
On 20 November 2013, the Spanish flagship channel Antena 3 dedicated two of its top shows – La Ruleta de la Suerte and El Horrmiguero 3.0 – to the campaign ‘Una escuela, una vida’ (‘One school, one life’). Spain – 20 November 2013
Strong ratings for Disney Day RTL Televizija
RTL Televizija in Croatia recently dedicated an entire day to the world of Disney. Scoring a prime time audience share of 28 per cent, RTL Televizija was the clear winner among Croatian broadcasters on that day. Croatia – 20 November 2013
Covering 40 per cent of the US: Celebrity Name Game FremantleMedia North America
FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) and Debmar-Mercury recently joined forces to make Celebrity Name Game, a fast-paced game show. The US distributor has sold the pop culture show to Tribune Broadcasting stations covering 40 per cent of the US. North America – 21 November 2013
15 More about Backstage
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