week 13 / 26 March 2015
MISSION: DIGITAL
RTL Nederland and SpotXchange have announced a joint venture for the Benelux & Nordic region
France The Netherlands Germany Renewal of Groupe M6’s RTL Ventures invests Clipfish launches Supervisory Board in Reclamefolder.nl on Amazon Fire TV week 13 / 26 March 2015
MISSION: DIGITAL
RTL Nederland and SpotXchange have announced a joint venture for the Benelux & Nordic region
France The Netherlands Germany Renewal of Groupe M6’s RTL Ventures invests Clipfish launches Supervisory Board in Reclamefolder.nl on Amazon Fire TV
Cover From left to right: Elwin Gastelaars, Managing Director SpotXchange Benelux, Arno Otto, Managing Director Digital RTL Nederland, Ton Rozestraten, Chief Commercial Officer RTL Nederland, Mike Shehan, CEO SpotXchange Bert Habets, CEO RTL Nederland, Erik Swain, Senior Vice President Operations SpotXchange
Publisher RTL Group 45, Bd Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg
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
Renewal of Groupe M6’s Supervisory Board Groupe M6 / RTL Group p.9–10
CSI meets Mad Men RTL Nederland / SpotXchange RTL Ventures invests p.4–8 in Reclamefolder.nl RTL Nederland p.11–12
Clipfish launches on Amazon Fire TV RTL Interactive p.13
Enex on solid growth path Enex Big Picture p.14 p.16
20 years of SHORT Pop-Rock sound RTL 2 NEWS p.15 p.17–18
RTL2 FÊTE SES 20 ANS ! PEOPLE RTL2, LA Radio du son POP-ROCK a 20 ANS, l’occasion de fêter cet évènement avec ses auditeurs, qui n’ont jamais été aussi p.19 nombreux depuis sa création avec 2 830 000 auditeurs chaque jour. Afin de célébrer son anniversaire la station concocte des émissions spéciales les 26 & 27 mars avec des interventions d’anciens animateurs, la contribution d’artistes Pop-Rock emblématiques et la diffusion de pépites sonores et d’exclusivités musicales.
JEUDI 26 MARS :
- 20H - 22H : Une émission présentée par Gregory ASCHER et Carole VEGA avec des interventions d’anciens animateurs : Alexandre DEVOISE, Benjamin CASTALDI, Sébastien FOLLIN, Louise EKLAND, Caroline LOEB, Dominique DUFOREST - des extraits d’archives de la station - des extraits musicaux issus de nombreux évènements RTL2 : Sessions Acoustiques, Concerts Très Très Privés.
- 22H - Minuit : Une émission présentée par Francis ZEGUT avec un Mix de DJ ZEBRA ainsi que des interventions d’artistes présents en coulisses tels que : Jean-Louis AUBERT, Catherine RINGER, RAPHAEL, Lou DOILLON, Gaëtan ROUSSEL, LOUANE.
VENDREDI 27 MARS :
- 6H - 9H : Le Grand Morning animé par Christophe NICOLAS et Stéphanie RENOUVIN, entourés de tous les animateurs phares qui ont animé cette tranche depuis 20 ans : Agathe LECARON, Louise EKLAND, Alexandre DEVOISE, Rémi CACCIA. Au programme 20 Ans de bêtisiers, d’extraits inédits, de surprises…
Un programme et un casting unique pour cet anniversaire mais… quand on a 20 Ans, on ne compte pas ! Cet évènement est également, pour RTL2, l’occasion de renforcer les liens existant entre les auditeurs, les artistes et la Radio.
Contact Presse :
Camille Moulène - 01.40.70.48.22 - 06.87.60.46.30 STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY MEETS ADVERTISING EXPERTISE WITH A NEW JOINT VENTURE FOR THE BENELUX AND NORDIC REGIONS
The Netherlands / North America – 26 March 2015 RTL Nederland / SpotXchange
Photo legend: From left to right: Elwin Gastelaars, Managing Director SpotXchange Benelux, Arno Otto, Managing Director Digital RTL Nederland, Ton Rozestraten, Chief Commercial Officer RTL Nederland, Mike Shehan, CEO SpotXchange Bert Habets, CEO RTL Nederland, Erik Swain, Senior Vice President Operations SpotXchange
4 On 11 March 2015, RTL Group’s companies Gamehouse, SpotXchange immediately takes a RTL Nederland and SpotXchange officially leading role in the Dutch online video advertising launched a joint venture for the Benelux & market. Nordic region. Backstage walks readers through the newly-launched SpotXchange Benelux Videostrip, the online video advertising network of and explains the strong synergies formed RTL Nederland, has been rebranded to SpotXchange within an increasingly global company such as Benelux. Videostrip had been operating around an ad RTL Group. network model, but will quickly evolve to a platform for publishers to help them maximise their yield from With this deal, SpotXchange Benelux provides their video inventory. SpotXchange Benelux team premium publishers with a platform to manage will also introduce advertisers and other demand their video inventory, offering them ad serving, sources to the most premium publishers in the programmatic infrastructure, advanced analytics region, and guide parties through the process of and reporting. Publishers benefit from transparency setting up programmatic direct deals. Advertisers and management of all of their video campaigns will be able to access the high-value inventory including direct sold, programmatic direct, private of RTL Nederland’s video-on-demand platform marketplace and open marketplace deals. Moreover, RTL XL, and other sports, entertainment and lifestyle with the addition of the new associate publisher publishers in the Benelux region and Scandinavia.
In a recent interview, RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch explained: “SpotXchange is a leading global technology platform for the sale of online video advertising, a kind of Nasdaq for online commercials – and that is a rapidly growing market. What happens here in a matter of milliseconds is impressive: When a user visits a website, data about them is transferred to SpotXchange, which identifies advertising companies for whom this particular user could be interesting, offering them the chance to immediately serve advertising. The advertisers bid on this advertising slot, and as in an auction the highest bidder’s advertising is instantly served to the user. As I said, it all happens in the background, in fractions of seconds. The user only sees the result: advertising that is tailored to their interests.”
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5 Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland Mike Shehan, CEO of SpotXchange
The deal is a perfect fit for RTL Nederland as it has innovating. This strategy doesn’t only concern our been investing in the digital transformation of sales, B2C activities, but certainly also applies to what first acquiring Videostrip in 2012. SpotXchange is we provide advertisers with. We are at the forefront the logical next step for RTL Nederland to expand its when it comes to trading digital advertising positions presence in the programmatic video market. Under and own the largest online video network in the this joint venture, RTL Nederland strengthens its Netherlands. This partnership with SpotXchange position across the global digital video market, by is the next logical step. We will profit from their adding data- and technology-based competencies technology- and data-based competencies.” that improve its ability to monetise audiences in a highly targeted advertising space. The partnership As for SpotXchange, Mike Shehan, CEO of offers publishers an immediate way to take SpotXchange, explains: “SpotXchange is very advantage of the evolution and modernisation of focused on becoming the leading video inventory video advertising. management platform globally, and SpotXchange Benelux is an exciting step toward that goal, as In the words of Bert Habets, CEO of it marks our first office in continental Europe. As RTL Nederland: “Our strategy is to always capitalise announced with the acquisition, RTL Group’s on new opportunities in the market and to keep decentralised operation will give SpotXchange the Next >
SpotXchange Benelux launch event
6 chance to thrive and grow as the last independent role that the Netherlands takes in this area. With digital video ad monetisation platform. It provides Videostrip we have increased our presence in the significant opportunities to work with RTL Group’s digital advertising market and are now ready to take leading European broadcast companies. We the next step. With a global player like SpotXchange recognise the unique opportunities and challenges this is bound to succeed.” of each market and look forward to finding the best approach to increase uptake of programmatic video across all screens and across the region.”
At the SpotXchange Benelux launch event which was held in Amsterdam and attended by around 120 publishers, advertisers and media agencies, Mike Shehan said: “It is great to be in Amsterdam for the official launch of SpotXchange Benelux and I look forward to working with our newest team members. There are many opportunities to grow our business in the Benelux and Nordic regions and we will continue to give publishers an independent solution for all their video ad serving and monetisation needs.”
The joint venture will operate from the SpotXchange Benelux office in Amsterdam. SpotXchange entered continental Europe in the Netherlands, as it has a Arno Otto, Managing Director Digital of RTL Nederland long history of being a hub of global trade and has a very progressive view about new, efficient ways The new office in Amsterdam will be headed by to transact business. Arno Otto, Managing Director Managing Director Elwin Gastelaars, formerly Digital of RTL Nederland, explains: “The fact that Manager, Digital Trading at RTL Nederland. Amsterdam is becoming the hub of online video Commenting on his appointment Gastelaars says: advertising in the Benelux region, and soon the “SpotXchange’s main differentiator to Google and Nordics, says a lot about the central and innovative Facebook is found in three areas: independence, full Next >
SpotXchange Benelux team
7 transparency and focus on product development for As for its short-term goal, SpotXchange Benelux is programmatic TV. We are reaching a tipping point focused on becoming a world class, industry leading in the online advertising industry and I am delighted company programmatically modernising all video to fully embrace this new form of advertising with screens. As for its future long-term plans, the parties SpotXchange Benelux.” will work together to bring programmatic technology and processes to TV advertising by actively exploring In parallel SpotXchange is preparing to open offices opportunities for dynamic advertising. in Germany in spring 2015 under the leadership of Stefan Beckmann, the newly-hired Managing Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Reporting to Mike Shehan, Beckmann will recruit a team based in both Hamburg and Munich, to drive adoption of SpotXchange’s video inventory management platform and grow the business across the region. SpotXchange will also look to open offices in other Western European countries later in 2015 or early 2016.
ABOUT SPOTXCHANGE
On 31 July 2014, RTL Group acquired a 65 per cent majority stake in the US-based video advertising monetisation company SpotXchange. SpotXchange is the trusted video advertising platform offering premium publishers holistic inventory management in order to maximise revenue for desktop, mobile and connected TV inventory while driving down operational costs. Publishers leverage SpotXchange’s ad serving, programmatic technology, and private marketplace capabilities to operate effectively in an increasingly complex digital ecosystem while gaining unprecedented transparency, insight and control over the buying behaviour of today’s leading brands.
Over four billion video ad decisions are processed through the SpotXchange platform daily, with ads delivered to more than 600 million people in over 190 countries per month. Headquartered north of Denver, SpotXchange has offices in New York, San Francisco, London and Sydney.
8 RENEWAL OF GROUPE M6’S SUPERVISORY BOARD Groupe M6 / RTL Group
RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch is supposed to succeed Albert Frère as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Groupe M6. Anke Schäferkordt to join the Supervisory Board as new member. France / Luxembourg – 23 March 2015
Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO of RTL Group
At the next meeting of Groupe M6’s Supervisory Board, to be held after the company’s Shareholders’ General Meeting on 28 April 2015, RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch will stand as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. In addition, RTL Group’s Co-CEO Anke Schäferkordt will be proposed as a new Member of the company’s Supervisory Board. This was communicated by Groupe M6 on 23 March 2015. RTL Group is the principal shareholder of Groupe M6, holding an equity stake of 48.6 per cent in the French audiovisual company.
Albert Frère has decided not to stand for re-election to the Supervisory Board and to step down as Chairman, a position he has held for the past 12 years. He has been a Director of M6 since it was founded in 1987.
The Chairman of the Executive Board, Nicolas de Tavernost, and the entire Supervisory Board took this opportunity to highlight Albert Frère’s crucial role and constant support in the development of Groupe M6, of which he was one of the key founders.
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9 Anke Schäferkordt, Co-CEO of RTL Group
In addition, Rémy Sautter has tendered his resignation from the Supervisory Board, of which he has been a member since 2000. His resignation will take effect at the end of the General Meeting of 28 April 2015. Rémy Sautter also helped found M6 in 1987 and has subsequently continually supported its development.
The Chairman of the Executive Board and the entire Supervisory Board unanimously thank Rémy Sautter for his excellent work on the Supervisory Board.
Accordingly, the appointment of two new members of the Supervisory Board will be proposed to the General Meeting on 28 April 2015:
Anke Schäferkordt, Co-CEO of RTL Group and Member of the Executive Board of Bertelsmann; Sylvie Ouziel, a graduate of the Ecole Centrale de Paris, Chairman and CEO of Allianz Managed Operations & Services and Member of the Allianz Group Management Committee.
The renewal of three Supervisory Board members’ terms of office will also be proposed at the same General Meeting:
Gilles Samyn, CEO of Groupe Frère and Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille (CNP); Christopher Baldelli, Chairman of the Executive Board of RTL Radio (France); Catherine Lenoble, a former member of the Executive Board of Groupe M6, who represents Immobilière Bayard d’Antin.
At the end of the General Meeting, the Supervisory Board will comprise 12 members, including five women, making Groupe M6 compliant in advance with Law no 2011-103 of 27 January 2011, which requires women to hold at least 40 per cent of non-executive director positions on a corporate board by 1 January 2017.
10 RTL VENTURES INVESTS IN RECLAMEFOLDER.NL RTL Nederland
On 24 March 2015, the investment division of RTL Nederland announced that the company had acquired a 34.8 per cent stake in online advertising brochure platform Reclamefolder.nl. The Netherlands – 25 March 2015
Nicolas Eglau, Managing Director RTL Ventures, RTL Nederland
Reclamefolder.nl is the largest platform for mobile advertising brochures and offers in the Netherlands. In 2014 it was the third most-used e-commerce app in the country.
According to Nicolas Eglau, Managing Director RTL Ventures, RTL Nederland: “RTL Ventures focuses on investments in companies currently in the transition phase from offline to online, with an increasing emphasis on mobile. Reclamefolder.nl is a perfect match for it. The speed at which Reclamefolder.nl has attracted a large group of loyal users is impressive.”
As Jeffrey van Rossum and Robin Streng, founders of Reclamefolder.nl, put it: “In the last few years Reclamefolder.nl has experienced enormous growth and has emerged as the most relevant platform for online brochures and offers. We are very excited to have RTL come aboard as a media partner and together we will accelerate the company’s growth. With its media network RTL will make a significant contribution towards further enhancing our name recognition. RTL’s network of retail and e-commerce advertisers will also provide us with added value.”
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11 Reclamefolder.nl is the largest online flyer platform in the Netherlands
Facts and figures:
The Netherlands is the largest ‘advertising brochure country’ in Europe. Every week more than 123 million printed brochures are distributed. Some 74 per cent of Dutch homes receive brochures in their letterboxes (source: Reclamefolder.nl market research, December 2014). With more than 1.6 million app downloads and more than 20 million digital brochures read per month, Reclamefolder.nl is the largest online flyer platform in the Netherlands. Its own research has revealed that 69 per cent of the app’s users use it at least once per week. On the website, the percentage is 36 per cent. People use Reclamefolder because it makes brochures available early in the week, it offers a wide range of brochures and it provides this service in an environmentally friendly way. Reclamefolder.nl delivers advertising brochures from all leading Dutch retailers for desktop computers, tablets (iOS and Android) and smartphones (iOS, Android, WindowsPhone and BlackBerry). The brochures are offered in multiple industries and regions. Users can also search by product or shop. Users can adjust their personal settings to select the offers in which they are interested.
12 CLIPFISH LAUNCHES ON AMAZON FIRE TV RTL Interactive
Video offers from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland will shortly be available on the Amazon platform. With the launch of the Amazon Fire TV Stick, Amazon Fire TV users will also be able to access the full range of videos offered by Clipfish. Germany – 25 March 2015
Clipfish allows users to access contents from 2,300 hours of TV programmes In addition to numerous films, TV series and anime, music, comedy and TV highlight clips, Amazon Fire TV users will also have exclusive access to a playlist under the menu item “24/7” that offers a diverse choice of music and comedy around the clock, similar to the linear TV experience.
Matthias Büchs, Head of Online at RTL Interactive: “The digital video offer at Clipfish is one of the areas Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland is focusing on. We are not only expanding the contents we offer, but are also consistently developing our platform portfolio – as we are doing now with Amazon Fire TV. We are therefore staying true to our guiding principle of making our contents available anywhere and at any time.”
Clipfish not only offers access to 80,000 music videos but also allows users to access contents from 2,300 hours of TV programmes, including films, series, anime episodes or comedy formats. Amazon Fire TV allows users to intuitively select from the extensive contents on offer in a quality specifically developed for large-scale TV screens. The new Clipfish apps will extend the portfolio of apps currently available for Android and iOS as well as for Windows 8.1 on tablets and desktop PCs. 13 ENEX ON SOLID GROWTH PATH Enex
For the first time in its 21 year history, Enex has passed the 50 member milestone with its newest partner joining from the Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq. Luxembourg – 26 March 2015
The Rudaw Media Network is a multi-platform media group with an HD television news channel, radio station, website, applications and a weekly newspaper. The network has wide distribution across the Middle East, Europe and the US.
The television channel is broadcast in both the main Kurdish dialects of Sorani and Kurmanji. The website is also offered in English and Rudaw is very active on social media. Rudaw’s broadcasting headquarters is based in Erbil, the Capital City of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Rudaw has correspondents based across the world.
Joining Enex, Rudaw’s Director of News, Ako Mohammad, says: ‘’We are very happy to be part of the Enex global alliance and join with our fellow media leaders in cooperating on news operations.”
Enex’s Managing Director, Adrian Wells, says: “Enex has experienced rapid growth in the last two years with the organisation expanding further into Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia. The Middle East is such an important centre for news and Enex is excited to now start growing its cooperation model there.”
Rudaw news teams have extensively covered the recent action of Kurdish Peshmerga forces countering Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria. Most recently, Rudaw correspondents have reported from the embattled Syrian City of Kobane which is now largely under Kurdish control.
14 20 YEARS OF POP-ROCK SOUND RTL 2
To celebrate its 20th anniversary on 26 and 27 March 2015, the French music station RTL 2 has some real treats in store for its listeners, including guest appearances by former presenters, contributions by emblematic pop stars and rock artists, and broadcasts of some exclusive musical highlights. France – 26 March 2015
RTL2 FÊTE SES 20 ANS !
RTL2, LA Radio du son POP-ROCK a At20 20:00ANS, l’occasion on Thursday de fêter 26 cet March évènement 2015, avecthe presenters ses auditeu rs,Grégory Asher qui n’ont jamais été aussi nombreuxand depuis Carole sa Vega création will avec host 2 a 830 special 000 auditeursshow featuring chaque their jour. predecessors Afin de célébrer son anniversaire la stationAlexandre concocte Devoise des émissions, Benjamin spéciales Castaldi les 26 ,& Sébastien 27 mars avec Follin , Louise des interventions d’anciens animateurs,Ekland la contribu, Carolinetion d’artistesLoeb and Pop-Rock Dominique emblématiques Duforest et . la Besides, the diffusion de pépites sonores et d’exclusivitésstation willmusicales. broadcast some memorable recordings from its archives.
At 22:00, a clutch of hot artists on the contemporary French JEUDI 26 MARS : music scene – Jean-Louis Aubert, Catherine Ringer, Raphaël, Gaëtan Roussel and Lou Doillon – will perform live on the cult programme Pop-Rock station by Zegut. - 20H - 22H : Une émission présentée par Gregory ASCHER et Carole VEGA avec des interventions d’anciens animateurs : Alexandre DEVOISE, Benjamin CASTALDI, Sébastien During the Grand Morning show airing between 06:00 and 09:00 on FOLLIN, Louise EKLAND, Caroline LOEB, Dominique DUFOREST - des extraits d’archives Friday 27 March 2015, Christophe Nicolas and Stéphanie Renouvin de la station - des extraitswill musicauxlook back issus at some de nomb pastreux highlights évènements of the RTL2 show : Sessions with a number of Acoustiques, Concerts Trèsthe Très show’s Privés. top presenters over the past 20 years: Agathe Lecaron, Louise Ekland, Alexandre Devoise and Rémi Caccia. - 22H - Minuit : Une émission présentée par Francis ZEGUT avec un Mix de DJ ZEBRA ainsi que des interventions d’artistesRTL Group’s présents pop en rock coulis stationses tels RTL que 2, : startedJean-Louis broadcasting AUBERT, on 6 March Catherine RINGER, RAPHAEL,1995 Lou and DOILLON, currently Gaëtan attracts ROUS moreSEL, LOUANE.than 2.8 million listeners a day.
In an upcoming weekly newsletter, Backstage will take a closer VENDREDI 27 MARS : look at RTL 2’s first 20 years in an interview with Tristan Jurgensen, the station’s Managing Director. - 6H - 9H : Le Grand Morning animé par Christophe NICOLAS et Stéphanie RENOUVIN, entourés de tous les animateurs phares qui ont animé cette tranche depuis 20 ans : 15 Agathe LECARON, Louise EKLAND, Alexandre DEVOISE, Rémi CACCIA. Au programme 20 Ans de bêtisiers, d’extraits inédits, de surprises…
Un programme et un casting unique pour cet anniversaire mais… quand on a 20 Ans, on ne compte pas ! Cet évènement est également, pour RTL2, l’occasion de renforcer les liens existant entre les auditeurs, les artistes et la Radio.
Contact Presse :
Camille Moulène - 01.40.70.48.22 - 06.87.60.46.30 X Factor Adria an instant hit On 22 March 2015, the second season of X Factor Adria successfully launched in Croatia. Broadcast on the flagship channel RTL Televizija, the talent show was watched by 28.6 per cent of the 18 to 49 target group, boosting its ratings to almost 60 per cent above RTL Televizija’s prime time average. SHORT NEWS 1/2
Birds of A Feather fly again FremantleMedia UK
ITV has recommissioned a new series of its hit comedy classic Birds Of A Feather. Produced for ITV by FremantleMedia UK’s label Retort and Quirky Media Stuff, the most recent run of the series attracted over five million viewers each week. United Kingdom – 20 March 2015
Fantasy will enter Bella Italia FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment
FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment has announced the appointment of Maurizio Distefano as Licensing Agent for Tree Fu Tom in Italy. The hit pre-school series will represent at the forthcoming Bologna Licensing Fair at the end of March 2015. United Kingdom – 20 March 2015
“AIDS: to stop it, we need to keep going” Groupe M6
This year again, Groupe M6 is running a multi-media campaign to support their partner Sidaction in its campaign against AIDS. Groupe M6, conscious of its duty as a broadcaster to inform viewers and sensitive to the cause, is mobilising to spread the message of Sidaction and call for donations across all media within the Group. Watch the campaign trailer here. France – 23 March 2015
An original approach to pop-rock culture RTL 2/RTL Net
On 24 March 2015, French radio station RTL 2 and the digital entity RTL Net unveiled the renewal of RTL.fr, a fresh version that the station intends to position as an online magazine dedicated to pop-rock culture and as an extension to its original media. France – 24 March 2015
17 SHORT NEWS 2/2
Mysterious relationships UFA Fiction
Since the beginning of March, UFA Fiction has been producing two new films based on the novels by bestseller-author Charlotte Link in Manchester. Under the current working titles Die letzte Spur and Der Beobachter dramas deal with the dark depths of the human psyche. Germany – 24 March 2015
Not one or two…but nine FremantleMedia Australia
FremantleMedia Australia has secured nine nominations in this year’s TV Week Logie Awards to be held in Melbourne on 3 May 2015. Among the nominations, Wentworth has received three nominations for Most Outstanding Drama Series and Danielle McCormack and Nicole da Silva for Most Outstanding Actress. Australia – 25 March 2015
Focus on TV highlights RTL Nederland
In the second season of Thuis Voor De Buis the camera is trained on an unchanging group of television viewers for eight weeks. They do not shy away from heated discussions and share their opinions. The Dutch version of Gogglebox premiered on 25 March 2015 on RTL 4. The Netherlands – 25 March 2015
Who let the dogs out? FremantleMedia International
FremantleMedia International has announced the acquisition of the worldwide distribution and format rights (excl. UK & Eire) for Arrow Media’s Dogs: Their Secret Lives. The finished programme and format are both set to launch to buyers at MIPTV 2015. United Kingdom – 26 March 2015
18 PEOPLE RON GARFIELD FremantleMedia North America
North America – 23 March 2015
Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North America (FMNA), has announced the appointment of Ron Garfield as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Buzzr TV.
The digital multicast network, set to launch this summer in all 17 Fox O&O markets, will tap into the company’s vast portfolio of more than 40,000 hours of game shows, including some of the most celebrated titles of yesterday and today, such as Family Feud, Let’s Make A Deal, To Tell The Truth, Password, Match Game, Beat the Clock, What’s My Line, Blockbusters and Card Sharks.
Thom Beers previously announced the channel at Natpe. “Launching Buzzr TV and growing its footprint is one of the top priorities for the business this year,” says Beers. “It was essential for me to appoint an executive with a strong record of launching secondary channels and growing their penetration in the market. Ron’s extensive background in this area, as well as his innate passion for Buzzr, made him the right choice to join me in leading this endeavour.”
“I am thrilled to be joining Thom Beers and his team at FremantleMedia,” adds Ron Garfield. “Buzzr TV is a dynamic vehicle for FMNA to make its entry into the channels space, offering viewers a fun, entertaining and a nostalgic ride through some of the best game shows of our time. For advertisers, Buzzr provides a family-friendly platform, and for our affiliate partners, a new source of revenue.” Ron Garfield, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Buzzr TV Garfield comes to FMNA with a lengthy background in the Prior to Sony, Garfield served as the founding Chief entertainment industry. Most recently, Garfield was with Operating Officer for Ovation TV where he oversaw all Sony Pictures Television where he served as the Chief revenue generating functions and network operations. He Revenue Officer for Fearnet and Senior Vice President was part of the team that helped to secure the private equity of Distribution for Sony Movie Channel and Cine Sony. funding necessary to launch and establish Ovation TV as While there, he transitioned Fearnet from a dedicated the only arts network in the US cable market. Garfield has VOD-based content provider to a successful multiplatform also held executive positions at Hallmark Channel, serving content provider. This resulted in the establishment of a as the Senior Vice President of Network Distribution and solid linear carriage subscriber base for Fearnet, as well as Service, as well as Fox Broadcasting, where he served as a significant increase to the number of video-on-demand the Senior Vice President of Network Distribution. (VOD) subscribers.
19 More about Backstage
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