Strong Ratings in 2009 Despite Cost Cutting, RTL Group Channels Managed to Add Audience Share in 2009

14 January 2010

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Strong ratings in 2009 Despite cost cutting, RTL Group channels managed to add audience share in 2009

Germany United States Deutschland sucht den American Idol off Superstar scores best start ever to season nine

France Netherlands Nicolas de Tavernost was RTL Nederland buys named ‘Manager of the year’ Radio 10 Gold week 02 the RTL Group intranet

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Montage showing the ratings increase of RTL Group’s channels in their respective target groups

Strong ratings in 2009 D it t tti RTL G h l d 2 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

Up, up, up! In the economic crisis year 2009, RTL Group’s ﬂ agship channels recorded strong audience performances. Luxembourg - 14 January 2010

In a difﬁ cult economy, RTL Group channels ers, putting it well ahead of Germany’s other nevertheless managed to add signiﬁ cant “second-generation broadcasters” and the pub- audience share or maintain past levels. Even lic-service channels. RTL II closed the year 2009 though RTL Group’s broadcasters reduced with a 6.2 per cent market share among 14- to programme costs, nearly all of them 49-year-olds, unchanged from the previous outperformed the competition. year. With 24.2 per cent among 3- to 13-year- olds (6:00 – 20:15), Super RTL improved its Germany ratings year on year (2008: 23.2 per cent) and continues ahead of the public children’s channel Kika, which scored 19.7 per cent, and the commercial channel Nickelodeon (12.7 per cent). For news channel N-TV, 2009 was the most successful year in its history, with an annual market share of 1.0 per cent among viewers aged 14 to 49. An average 5.6 million viewers over the age of 3 tuned in each day.

France

Wer wird Millionär?

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels scored a combined audience share of 34.4 per cent among viewers aged 14 to 49 in 2009. Its channels thus managed to widen their lead over the ProSiebenSat.1 group, which attracted a 30.1 per cent share of this key target demographic, to a solid 4.3 percentage points in 2009, 0.7 percentage points more than in 2008.

Despite the economic crisis and increasing Desperate Housewives fragmentation in the market, RTL Television improved its performance by a strong 1.2 per- With a total audience share of 10.8 per cent centage points year on year, to 16.9 per cent, (compared to 11.0 per cent in 2008), M6 was the the greatest gain achieved by any channel. only major channel to largely retain its audience, The runners-up are ProSieben (11.9 per cent), withstanding the strong growth of DTT channels Sat.1 unchanged at 10.8 per cent, Vox also un- and posting the best results among the major changed at 7.5 per cent, ARD at 6.6 per cent channels for the second consecutive year. and ZDF at 6.3 per cent. RTL Television’s share of total TV audience came to 12.5 per cent – an The year saw a daring move by general-interest increase of 0.8 percentage points – putting it in channel M6 to change its evening news format second place with ZDF, which lost 0.6 percent- – a risk that paid off. Launched on 7 September age points, right behind ARD (12.7 per cent). 2009, M6’s new evening news, Le 19.45, was the only programme of this type to increase its Vox ended 2009 with a 7.5 per cent share of ratings, gaining 200,000 viewers (2.5 million the target demographic preferred by advertis- viewers between September and December 3 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

2009 as compared to September to December RTL 4 completed a successful 20th anniver- 2008 when M6 broadcast the previous news sary year, scoring a 17.0 per cent market share format 6 Minutes). among shoppers aged 20 to 49. The channel improved its market share strongly by 2.1 per- M6 also managed to create a major TV event centage points year on year. Its most popular by broadcasting a World Cup football qualify- programmes included Ik Hou Van Holland, ing match for the ﬁ rst time. With 8.2 million X Factor, Gooische Vrouwen, Goede Tijden, viewers for the Ireland-France match, M6 Slechte Tijden, and the information and news obtained a record audience for 2009. formats.

M6 achieved an excellent performance in the RTL 5 ended 2009 with an average audience 20:40 to 24:00 time slot and was the only major share of 9.6 per cent among 20- to 34-year-olds channel to increase its ratings in the evening, (+0.5 percentage points). So You Think You a gain of 100,000 viewers from one year to the Can Dance, Expeditie Robinson, Benelux Next next. Top Model or Wipe Out were some of the most watched formats. W9 has posted excellent ﬁ gures for 2009 with an average total audience share of 2.5 per cent The men’s channel RTL 7 attracted an average nationwide. The channel has continued to in- 6.7 per cent of 20- to 49-year-old male viewers crease its ratings, achieving a record audience in 2009. Broadcasts of the UEFA Europa League for the month nationwide: In December 2009, and Dutch Cup football games were especially W9 obtained an average audience share of popular. 2.9 per cent, placing it in the number one spot among DTT channels for this period. RTL 8 drew a 3.3 per cent market share among women aged between 20 and 49. Its most suc- Also W9 holds the audience record among cessful broadcast was As The World Turns on DTT channels with 1.5 million viewers for the 2 June, which attracted 11.2 per cent – RTL 8’s ﬁ lm Astérix et les Vikings on 27 October 2009. best ratings ever in this target demographic.

The Netherlands United Kingdom

Despite a major restructuring process, Five was the only terrestrial family of channels to show growth in audience shares across 2009, for both individuals and adults. Its share for all individuals was slightly up from 6.09 per cent in 2008 to 6.12 per cent in 2009.

As in previous years, all terrestrial channels re- ported declining audience shares in 2009 due to the ongoing digitisation process. However, Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden Five’s loss – namely 3.0 per cent – was less than that suffered by any other terrestrial channel. RTL Nederland’s channels attracted an average 31.7 per cent share of their target demographic, 20- to 49-year-old viewers, in 2009. Overall, RTL Nederland increased its market share by 1.6 percentage points compared with 2008. This puts RTL Nederland well ahead of the country’s public-service broadcasters and the SBS group, which attracted 26.9 per cent and 27.2 per cent of 20- to 49-year-old audiences respectively.

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Belgium The year 2009 got off to a spectacular start with the broadcast of the 21st Men’s World Hand- ball Championship. The ﬁ nal match between France and Croatia scored excellent ratings with an audience share of 81.3 per cent among young viewers and became the channel’s most- watched programme ever.

The good ratings continued with the broadcast of the new docu-soap format Ljubav je na selu (The Farmer Wants A Wife). Host Lorena Nosic took the viewers to the countryside, where the search for love proved to be full of surprises. Viewers were increasingly won over by the rural The presenters of RTL-TVI’s Le Journal romance, with ratings climbing steadily from one episode to the next. On average, the 12 RTL Belgium’s channels came in number one episodes of the ﬁ rst season attracted a 29.1 per with 80 out of the 100 top audiences. Despite cent audience share in the target group. a gloomy economic year, it even managed to increase its total audience share by 6.4 per cent Greece in 2009, reaching 33.5 per cent. The competition did not fare as well during this period, with audience shares that were stable at best.

RTL-TVI news has proven to be a tremendous success with French-speaking Belgian audiences. Le Journal de 13h was number one every day in 2009 and even managed to increase its lead over the competing news show on public channel La Une by 25 per cent. The predomi- nance of RTL-TVI’s evening news is equally overwhelming. Alternating between presenters Hakima Darhmouch and Michel de Maegd, RTL-TVI’s news held the number one spot 360 Kati Psinetai days out of 364. 2009 was the year that brought signiﬁ cant Croatia changes in Greek television, on account of the arrival of the RTL Group, which by its moves on the television chessboard altered long-standing habits and facts. In 2009, Alpha achieved an average audience share of 13.7 per cent among viewers aged 15 to 44, as compared to 12.5 per cent in 2008 — an increase of 9.6 per cent. In prime time, Alpha achieved an audience share of 14.7 per cent among viewers aged 15 to 44, as compared to 12.5 per cent in 2008 — an increase of 17.6 per cent.

In a highly competitive year, Alpha secured third place both in day total and in prime time. During Lorena Nosic, host of Ljubav je na selu the fi rst half of the current season (September to December 2009) the channel managed to at- In 2009, RTL Televizija confi rmed its market- tract even more viewers, and came in second. leading position for the fourth consecutive year in all-day broadcasting, scoring an audience November 2009 was the month with the best share of 26.2 per cent among viewers aged 18 audience share for Alpha TV ever. The channel to 49, and fi fth consecutive year in prime time, achieved an audience share of 15.8 per cent drawing 28.1 per cent in this key target group. among viewers aged 15 to 44, representing 5 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

an increase of 4 percentage points compared Luxembourg to November 2008. In prime time Alpha TV doubled its audience share compared to In 2009, RTL Lëtzebuerg celebrated 50 years November 2008, recording its best month ever of radio, 40 years of television and 15 years with a 19.5 per cent share of audiences aged online. Its position as a local market leader is 15 to 44 - an increase of 9.8 percentage points. indisputable: in 2009 the RTL Lëtzebuerg family reached 290,000 a day – that is 82 per cent of The relocation of the main news bulletin to 19:00 Luxembourg’s population for whom RTL stand and the broadcast of a daily real-life programme, for information, sport and entertainment. Kati Psinetai (Come Dine With Me), at 20:00, not only yielded to positive results, but also attract- Spain ed many viewers, especially in the target group aged 15 to 44 where it scored an average audi- Antena 3 was able to cement its market leader- ence share of 25.1 per cent. Alpha’s most popu- ship in the advertisers’ preferred demographic lar programmes were Al Tsantiri News (52.4 per by attracting 15.4 per cent of viewers aged cent), Kafes me tin Eleni (28 per cent), Kitchen 16 to 54 in 2009. This put Antena 3 ahead of Nightmares! (24.9 per cent), The Farmer Wants Telecinco (15.3 per cent), La Une (13.2 per cent), a Wife (24.2 per cent) and Gia Logariasmo Sas Cuatro (10.7 per cent) and La Sexta (8.7 per (21 per cent). cent). Grupo Antena 3’s family of channels was also in the lead with a combined market share Hungary of 17.6 per cent: The Telecinco family attracted 16.7 per cent of the market, while the second runner-up, Grupo Sogecable, lagged far behind at 11.3 per cent.

Antena 3’s share of the total audience came to 14.7 per cent, putting it behind La Une (16.4 per cent) and Telecinco (15.1 per cent). The two digital channels Antena Neox and Antena Nova were able to double their total audience share year on year, attracting 1.2 per cent and 0.7 per cent.

Baratok Közt Russia

In prime time, RTL Klub scored an average audi- In 2009, Ren TV achieved an average audience ence share of 30.7 per cent among viewers aged share of 5.8 per cent among viewers aged 18 to 18 to 49. This represents a loss of 5.8 per cent. 54. This represents an increase of 7.4 per cent Still, RTL Klub did better than its main competi- or 0.4 percentage points. The most popular in- tor TV 2, which lost more than 10 per cent of its house productions were Ren TV’s documentary audience share. This is mainly due the ongoing series Secret Stories and Fantasy Stories as well fragmentation in the Hungarian TV market. as the news programme V chas pik and Mikhail Zadornov’s comedy shows Anticrisis concert Csillag születik (A Star Is Born), RTL Klub’s and Nichego sebe! (Really!). successful talent show, returned to the screen for the ﬁ rst time since 2007. 56.1 per cent of viewers aged 18 to 49 and 59.8 per cent of the total audience — more than 3 million viewers — watched the ﬁ nale. A new record. Another popular programme in 2009 was the reality show Marry me, Dániel!, featuring the lute player Dániel Benko. Baratok Közt (Between friends) is the most popular daily soap opera on Hungarian TV. It has been on screen for over 10 years now and with 44.8 per cent of the viewers aged 18 to 49 tuning in on average (September 2009 to December 2009) it evidently hasn’t lost any of its appeal. 6 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

The best start ever As many as 8.18 million viewers watched the ﬁ rst show of the new season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar, making it the most successful series launch of all time. “Congratulations – you made it to the next step!” Germany - 7 January 2010

An average 7.37 million viewers tuned in to The next stage of the show is the recall, which the fi rst episode of Deutschland sucht den takes place in a tropical paradise this year. “In Superstar (Idols), prompting the online service the Caribbean this time we will be focusing on Quotenmeter.de to note: “The last time more three key attributes: charisma, performance and than 7.37 million viewers were counted was 8 singing. Many candidates have never been so March 2003, the fi nale of the fi rst season.“ far away from home before, so when you add the change of climate and time difference – it re- The market share among young viewers aged mains to be seen whether the candidates will be 14 to 49 years was a strong 34.8 per cent: 5.04 disciplined enough to cope,” says jury member million people in this demographic watched the Volker Neumüller. Only the top 15 candidates popular compilation of humorous, impressive from the recall will appear in the fi rst big live and bizarre auditions. “For comparison: in all Now or Never show, which will decide who goes of 2009, there were only two programmes – Pi- through to the theme shows, where the viewers rates of the Caribbean 2 and a Harry Potter fi lm alone vote by telephone to determine who will – that even passed the 5-million mark among be the Superstar of 2010. 14- to 49-year-old viewers,” wrote the DWDL.de online services, putting the remarkable ratings In parallel to the series, RTL Television has in context. started broadcasting Deutschland sucht den Superstar – Das Magazin from Saturday, 9 Janu- Auditions for the seventh season were held in 20 ary, at 17:45, with Nina Moghaddam presenting German cities in September and October 2009. lots of background information on the show and In all, 34,420 contestants – more than ever the candidates. The magazine show also airs on before – came to audition in hopes of becoming Super RTL on Monday evenings at 20:15. the next ‘Superstar’. Viewers can again watch clips of DSDS high- The series is again hosted by Marco Schreyl, lights exclusively on RTL.de and Clipfish.de as with pop titan Dieter Bohlen (55), MTV presenter well as on the RTL mobile portal (mobil.rtl.de), Nina Eichinger (28) and music and Superstar while RTLnow.de features the full-length shows manager Volker Neumüller (40) on the jury once after they are broadcast. more. As in previous years, the UFA subsidiary Grundy Light Entertainment is responsible for the production of the successful format.

While Dieter Bohlen won’t mince his words in the upcoming series either, this season there is a piggy bank on the jury desk: “Some people thought my language was too strong, so now I always chuck a euro into the piggy bank whenever I swear,” said Bohlen. The money will ultimately be donated to a good cause. Cheeky comments and big dreams, offbeat contestants and great emotion – the whole spectrum of candidates will be on view in the seven auditions Marco Schreyl, presenter of Deutschland sucht den Superstar episodes. 7 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

One decade of Big Brother RTL II has launched the tenth season of its Container-Show. Ten years ago: Jürgen (left) and Alex in the first season of Big Brother Germany - 11 January 2010

Some absolutely love it, while others just Since the show debuted in Germany, three shake their heads: Big Brother tends to different houses, and even an entire village in polarize minds in Germany like almost no other season six, were inhabited. More than 580,000 TV show. Regardless of what is published about people have applied for Big Brother over the the TV spectacle, no one is indifferent about the past ten years, and 250 candidates have actu- show. This is probably one of the reasons why ally participated in the show. By the way, some the often-debated format – broadcast in almost celebrities also made it onto the show – from 70 countries – can now celebrate an important Verona Pooth to Wladimir Klitschko, Costa anniversary: almost one decade after the Codalis and the current Foreign Minister, Guido premiere in Germany, RTL II launched the tenth Westerwelle, who visited the Big Brother house season of Big Brother, with 13 per cent of the in October 2000. viewers aged 14 to 49 tunning in. The new online partner of the anniversary The images of the day probably re- season is the video platform Clipfi sh. sembled those from ten years ago: The RTL Interactive portal will be the fi rst ten Big Brother candidates – producing a comprehensive, interactive Despina, Kerstin, Alex, John, Thomas, Manuela, web offer for the offi cial Big Brother website Andrea, Jana, Jürgen and Zlatko – moved into (www.bigbrother.de); in addition, the site is the Big Brother house in Cologne- also integrated into the Clipfi sh video Hürth. They lived in the 153 square site. Fans have a variety of voting and meter living space for three months, discussion opportunities alongside the latest entirely isolated from the outside world but video highlights, exclusive web vid- monitored by 28 cameras and 60 microphones eos and an exclusive live stream, which that assured that there was absolutely no enables fans to look in on the Big Brother privacy. residents around the clock.

This and the fact that the candidates themselves Mathias Blüm, Managing Director of Clipﬁ sh, determine who among them will have to leave explained: “Big Brother is one of the top video the show each week, leaves the feature pages subjects on the German internet. We are very and critics of the format breathless; comments pleased that we can now show RTL II’s real- such as “TV jail” and “human zoo” have been ity show in addition to the video highlights of levied against the show. Julia Nicolas, Editing the successful shows Das Supertalent and Director Entertainment of RTL II, recalls: “The Deutschland sucht den Superstar.” format caused a huge uproar when it was launched in 2000.” But the agitation quickly died down and Big Brother became an estab- lished element on TV. “Our biggest secret for success has been and remains real life.” Julia Nicolas explained. “We show everything that life is about, and that’s what viewers want to see! Big Brother is pure fun and entertainment.”

Zlatko, candidate in season one 8 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

“The conquerer’s view” Nicolas de Tavernost has been awarded the prestigious ‘Manager of the year’ prize by Le nouvel Economiste. France - 21 December 2009

The portrait is fl attering one: Le nouvel Economiste talks about “transforming a television net- on the management style of the work into a multi-enterprise chairman, who it describes as an calls for invigorating leadership “orchestra conductor of this mul- and tailor-made management,” tiform business [who] ensures and “a lively spirit, quick, well harmony amongst the many structured, getting down to the different entrepreneurs.” While essential, strong enthusiasm Nicolas de Tavernost reaffi rms for work, a keen sense of com- the benefi ts of decentralisation, mand (…),” these are the quali- he nevertheless admits to having a ties which have earned Groupe M6’s Nicolas de Tavernost “permanent duty to interfere” and that Chairman of the Management Board, it is his “conception of democracy”. To explain Nicolas de Tavernost, the title of ‘Manager of the this more clearly, he gives the following example: Year’ for 2009 by the weekly newsmagazine. “Contrary to what one may believe, seeing us from the outside, we are not at all a group. There In the edition of 17 to 23 December 2009, Le is a lot of decentralisation in terms of managerial nouvel Economiste talks about the journey of responsibility. After that, one has to ensure two this entrepreneur who has, like the title of the things: that it is to be consistent with the growth article, “the conqueror’s perspective”. The of the company, and secondly, it’s my job to weekly newsmagazine emphasizes how Nicolas facilitate the synergy between them – that the de Tavernost has succeeded in transforming his home shopping group maintains close commu- business model “into a more robust version, one nication with the M6 channel, which maintains less vulnerable to advertising ”. The competitors close communication with the Girondins de are “pugnacious”, the strict regulation of that Bordeaux if there are operations to be carried sector is a source of “constraint”, the advertis- out together. So there is this need to make ing market is “in a setback” and yet M6 is able everyone work together and above all to make to publish “quarterly results [that] read like vic- sure that they never hesitate to imagine what tory announcements”. they can bring to one another.”

Diversifi cation is the keystone of this success. Nicolas de Tavernost sums up for Le nouvel “We are now realising less than half of the Economiste what “M6 culture” is: “To develop total revenues fi gures of the group with the M6 profi table activity – this is in our genes. I always channel,” explains Nicolas de Tavernost. Le say: we don’t have the means to lose money. nouvel Economiste emphasizes the wealth of We fought for existence at the start. So we have this diversifi cation: online revenues, the sale of now a culture of profi tability more than one of audiovisual rights, catch-up TV and other video- revenue fi gures. Secondly, attempting to stay on-demand platforms, satellite, cable and DTT ahead, therefore anticipating. Thirdly, a fairly channels, as well as the Girondins de Bordeaux large sense of interdependence, which also football club, credit cards and mobile telephony. includes the managers.” The article ends with an The weekly newsmagazine also notes how the anecdote that recounts how every evening, M6’s results are starting to pay off: “revenue fi gures Chairman of the Management Board consults a growing by 9 per cent over the third quarter page that informs him on the audiences for the of 2009. Consequently, there has been more programmes being broadcast in Germany, Italy growth of the share price than what was generally and Spain because “he loves television and is forecast: by 50 per cent since the start of the looking for nuggets”. summer – EUR 12 to 18.”

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M6 wins lawsuit against Swiss television The Swiss Federal Court ruled in favour of French broadcaster M6 in a lawsuit pitting it against Télévision suisse romande on the broadcasting of special advertising windows for Switzerland. France - 13 January 2010

The Swiss Federal Court announced that it had dismissed the suit lodged by public television company SRG SSR against M6, by a majority of four to one. The judges sitting on the country’s leading civil court ruled that “the broadcasting of works in the M6 programming schedule via a satellite signal that includes advertising targeting Swiss viewers – without the speciﬁ c authorisation of the copyright holders – did not constitute a breach of federal copyright law or a breach of federal legislation on unfair competition”.

The Federal Court acknowledged that “the theory of the country of broadcast applies to satellite broadcasting under Swiss copyright law. This means that the author authorises the broadcasting of his work according to the rules of the country where the satellite transmission originates. Once such authorisation has been given, the author does not have to also authorise reception in the countries covered by the satellite’s footprint. An exception to this principle is not justiﬁ ed in this case. From the viewpoint of copyright law, the situation is the same, whether the satellite signal includes Swiss advertising or French advertising.” The Federal Court noted that the authors or their assignees authorised the breaches of their right of integrity for commercial breaks during the broadcasting of their works and therefore that it did not matter whether such commercial breaks target Swiss or French viewers.

The Court therefore threw out SRG SSR’s claims, speciﬁ cally its claim for damages of at least 10 million Swiss francs (EUR 6.7 million).

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Entering season nine The US network Fox started the ninth season of FremantleMedia’s American Idol. Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Kara DioGuardi (from left to right) North America - 12 January 2010

The departure of original judge Paula Abdul and lanta on Wednesday with Mary J. Blige. The ros- the upcoming arrival of her successor, talk-show ter of guests also includes Kristin Chenoweth, host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres, is the Neil Patrick Harris, Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, biggest change in the format’s concept. During Katy Perry and Shania Twain. Ellen DeGeneres the fi rst four weeks of audition shows, Abdul will will join the panel during the Hollywood round in be replaced by eight celebrity guests. Structur- February. ally, the big change will take place in the semifi - nal round: this year 24 semifi nalists – 12 males On the very same day, the US media were full of and 12 females – to be determined solely by reports that Simon Cowell will leave American viewer votes will hit the stage to get a ticket for Idol after this season to focus on bringing The the fi nal round. Last year, there were 36 candi- X Factor to the US in 2011. “The X Factor has dates, including wild-card picks by the judges. enjoyed an unparalleled success in its UK home market and globally,” Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO The audition period opened in Boston on of FremantleMedia North America, told the New Tuesday 12 January with Victoria Beckham York Times. “We are truly excited to bring it to joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara the US and look forward to building another DioGuardi on the judging panel, followed by At- entertainment franchise in the market place.”

The jury of the first episode of season 9: Randy Jackson, Victoria Beckham, Kara DioGuardi and Simon Cowell (from left to right)

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The X Factor in the US Fox announced that The X Factor will launch in the US in autumn 2011. North America - 13 January 2010

Simon Cowell, who created and launched The X The X Factor and I’m delighted Factor in the UK in 2004, will serve as both ex- to continue working with Fox. We have a ecutive producer and judge on the US version, fantastic relationship, a great team and are all which will be produced by his company SyCo very excited about this.” Television and FremantleMedia North America. Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertain- The X Factor is currently shown in 28 countries ment, Fox Broadcasting Company, comments: worldwide with a global audience of more than “We have had a very successful relationship 500 million. with Simon Cowell for many years and we’re absolutely thrilled to continue working with Cowell, who will continue to serve as both him. The X Factor has been a massive success Executive Producer and judge on the UK around the world, and we can’t wait to bring it to version, says: “I’m thrilled that we have set the US in 2011.” a launch date for the US version of

RTL Radio France sets up a voluntary mobility plan The Internal Communications department of RTL Radio France informed the company’s staff of the management’s decision to launch a voluntary mobility plan in 2010 for personnel who are not journalists. France - 18 December 2009

As Christopher Baldelli, Chairman of the Man- “Over the last four months we started reviewing agement Board of RTL Radio France stated a number of issues. Now we’re shifting to ac- when he took up his post back in August, whilst tion”, said Christopher Baldelli in a conversation continuing the efforts to modernise the opera- with the French newspaper Le Figaro. “RTL as tions of France’s leading radio station he also a company needs to be modernised to boost its wants to give a fresh boost to its competitive- competitiveness. Being the leader is good, but ness. It was against this backdrop that on we mustn’t rest on our laurels. (…) We’re going Thursday, 17 December, at the monthly meeting to cut certain ﬁ xed overheads and proceed with of the works council, he announced the immi- essential structural changes,” he continued. nent launch of a voluntary mobility plan (un plan de mobilité volontaire) for non-journalistic staff. The plan could result in the departure of around 30 of the total of 200 staff potentially involved. 12 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

Editor-in-chief for a day France’s former ﬁ rst lady Bernadette Chirac was Editor-in-chief for a day on RTL Radio France on occasion of the Pièces jaunes charity. France former First Lady Bernadette Chirac France - 5 January 2010

For the 21st edition of Pièces jaunes, an As the saying goes, little streams make big operation in which RTL Radio France is a rivers: thanks to the money collected in partner, the station has chosen to dedicate one previous editions, nearly 6,300 projects for of its ﬂ agship programmes to a woman who for young patients have been carried out, includ- 16 years has devoted herself to this important ing the creation of mother-and-child rooms and initiative aimed at improving the quality of life housing for parents as well as the purchase of of hospitalised children and adolescents. educational materials for hospital classrooms, game room equipment and pain relief pumps. On Saturday 9 January, on the programme Millions of moneyboxes will be put into circu- Journal Inattendu, from 12:30 to 13:30, Harry lation this week, and the French are invited Roselmack was joined by Bernadette Chirac, to drop in their coins until 13 February. RTL president of the Fondation Hôpitaux de Paris – Radio France is proud to be a partner in this Hôpitaux de France, who accepted his invitation gesture of solidarity that each year helps make it to be editor-in-chief for a day. possible to put a smile on the face of sick children in paediatric facilities in French hospi- As tradition holds for the programme, the guest, tals. in the role of editor-in-chief for a day, brings his or her own guest onto the show and interviews them. France’s former First Lady invited Véronique Poivre d’Arvor, wife of the renowned journalist Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, who presented for 21 years the evening news on TF1. The Maison des adolescents, created by Bernadette Chirac, has been named after their deceased daughter Solenn.

As editor-in-chief for a day on RTL Radio France, Bernadette Chirac, whose mission is to produce a news report, took listeners behind the scenes at Maison de Solenn, where she is involved on a daily basis. This residence, which welcomes adolescents in great difﬁ culty, particularly those suffering from anorexia, was built thanks to the Pièces jaunes operation.

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A window on the world of the autistic To celebrate the anniversary of Le Papotin, a newspaper written by the autistic, RTL Radio France gave the writers a place of honour on the air. Simone Veil (middle) participated at this new experience © Sylvie Lancrenon for Le Papotin France - 11 January 2010

Le Papotin turns 20. Its authors are young Simone Veil (politician, member of the Académie adults with autistic disorders who get together française), Rama Yade (politician, Secretary of each week to produce their newspaper. They State for Sport), Ségolène Royal (politician), write poems, humorous notes and interview Justine Lévy (writer) – each of them provided the people they care about. The end result is an unforgettable moment. The result was a highly original newspaper fi lled with humour RTL Radio Papotin: great moments in radio and poetry. More than a great human adventure, that are intense, astonishing and rich in emo- it’s also a unique cultural product, offering its tion, punctuated by gales of laughter. These authors a place where there is freedom and a were aired throughout the following day in news doorway on the world. Since 2002 this newspa- fl ashes and programmes between 9:00 and per has transformed into an association thanks 17:00. to singer Marc Lavoine, who is now its patron. A special RTL Radio Papotin page has been In November, Arnaud, Alexandre, Thomas, created on the station’s website, where internet David, Anselm, Esther, Raphaël, Gregory, Joan, users will fi nd photos, videos and interviews Nathanaël, Raphaël (again), Dimitri and Sarah from these two unforgettable days. headed to RTL’s rue Bayard studios where they spent two whole days in a radio station envi- ronment. Set up in a studio specially dedicated to this event, they learned about the world of radio, met numbers of people and carried out interviews with the personalities who had accepted their invitation.

Never have so many questions been asked. Marie-Georges Buffet (politician, General Sec- retary of the Communist Party), Zazie (singer), Valérie Lemercier (actress, screenwriter, director), Marie-José Pérec (athlete, three-time Olympic champion), Fadela Amara (politician, Secretary of State for Urban Policies), The Papotin’s journalists in RTL Radio’s studios accompanied by Mazarine Pingeot (writer, daughter of François Marc Lavoine (in the middle) © Sylvie Lancrenon for Le Papotin Mitterand), Roselyne Bachelot (politician, Minis- ter for Health and Sport), Cécile Duﬂ ot (politician, National Secretary of the Green Party),

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RTL Nederland expands its family of radio stations RTL Nederland has acquired radio station Radio 10 Gold from Talpa Radio. Netherlands - 6 January 2010

With this acquisition, RTL Nederland is expanding its family of radio stations, compris- ing market leader Radio 538 and digital station RTL Lounge Radio which was launched end of October 2009. Radio 538 will handle the day-to-day operation of Radio 10 Gold.

Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland, said: “With Radio 538 we check out will reach a broad www.radio10gold.nl target audience in which men are also well represented. The Radio 10 Gold audience consists mainly of women. This acquisition will provide a valuable addition to our family of stations in terms of both listeners and custom- ers. It is a good feeling to start the new year with this acquisition.”

John de Mol, who has owned Radio 10 Gold since 2003, said: “For Talpa, it makes sense to have Radio 10 Gold join RTL Nederland, because that is good for the station. By operat- ing alongside Radio 538, Radio 10 Gold will get the attention it deserves. Since I am a shareholder in RTL Nederland, it’s not like I’m saying farewell – and that feels good.”

Since 2007, John de Mol’s Talpa Media Holding has been a minority shareholder of RTL Nederland, holding a 26.3 per cent stake.

In 2005 Radio 10 Gold received the “Marconi Award” for best radio station. Listeners can tune in to Radio 10 Gold via cable, satellite and the internet. 15 week 02 the RTL Group intranet

Do businessmen have dreams? This is the question asked by one of ten videos made by Broadcasting Center Europe – technical subsidiary of RTL Group – on behalf of the government of Luxembourg to promote the small country. Luxembourg - 12 January 2010

Is it true what they say about Luxembourg? They have beautiful beaches, a strange dress code, an unexplored wildlife, it’s a tropical paradise between Norway and Russia… “No!” the video tells viewers. The tone is set: humour handled with dexterity, catchy narration perfectly complementing the images and a captivating rhythm underscored by an efﬁ cient soundtrack. BCE pulled out all the stops to deliver ten videos to the government of the Grand Duchy that establish a reputation for excellence for the country compared to its larger European neigh- The video also portraits Luxembourg’s beautiful landscape bours.

Directed by Thomas Neunreither and produced by BCE, the ten videos represent an entire year’s work and more than 150 hours of foot- age shot. They show the attractiveness of the country, whether it is for doing business, living there or visiting as a tour- ist. “In 30 years, the country has been completely transformed. It is now a colour- ful, multifaceted and mul- ticultural country that is open to the world. Eco- nomically speaking, the Grand Duchy is making check out sparks ﬂ y and may be www. a role model for other promoteluxembourg countries. Nothing that .com could seem provoca- tive, impertinent or spon- taneous [in the production of these videos] was in any way censored. This shows that in Luxembourg, almost anything is possible,” said Thomas Neunreither in an interview on the RTL Lëtzebuerg evening news. The videos will be shown on the “Media Wall” in the Luxembourg pavilion during Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

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Candidates’ debate watched by a million people One in four Croatians watched the “duel” between the two presidential candidates Ivo Josipovic and Milan Bandic on RTL Televizija. Mission: Presidential Place Croatia - 8 January 2010

Five years ago, RTL Televizija became the The nearly two-hour show signiﬁ cantly outper- ﬁ rst broadcaster in Croatian history to pit two formed similar shows aired by competitors. presidential candidates against each other in a RTL Duel was watched by 1,039,206 viewers, televised debate. As part of its special program- scoring a total audience share of 45.9 per cent. ming Misija Pantovcak (Mission: Presidential This means that almost 25 per cent of the total Place) to accompany the current presidential Croatian population (4.5 million) followed the campaign in Croatia, the feat was repeated on debate. It was the most watched programme 3 January 2010 when RTL Televizija organised of the day in the key target group of viewers the RTL Duel between Ivo Josipovic and Milan aged 18 to 49, as well as in the total audience Bandic. category.

Hosted in a specially designed 300 m2 studio, “RTL Televizija’s news programme has yet again the TV duel gave viewers a chance to see the shown its full potential, its production strength candidates and hear their thoughts on important and enticing content. RTL Duel was the fi rst real questions and issues. duel between Ivo Josipovic and Milan Bandic, and we’re pleased that our viewers recognized The introduction featured Ana Brdaric talking its importance. I am sure that RTL Duel will to political and communication experts. The provide some key moments in this elec- debate between the two candidates was hosted tion,” said Ivan Lovrecek, Editor-in-Chief of by Tomislav Jelincic, who also hosted the fi rst RTL Televizija. duel fi ve years ago.

17 New series On Thursday 14 January at 21:15, RTL Television broadcasts its new series Countdown – Die Jagd beginnt. The new crime series, featuring Sebastian Ströbel and Chiara Schoras as unsual team of investigators, captivates with a unique way of story telling and high intensity. Countdown – starts where other series end – at the finale. week 02 the RTL Group intranet

Helping and informing RTL Radio France once again showed solidarity with its listeners through its special radio and internet initiative to put job seekers in touch with those offering work. 15,000 job offers were posted on RTL’s website. France - 23 December 2009

Total Dérapage on iPhones M6 Web and Endemol have published Total Dérapage, a new app based on the funny family show Total Wipeout, in Apple’s App Store. France - 23 December 2009

New on the airwaves in 2010 RTL Matin, the most popular morning radio show in France with 3,788,000 listeners, has two new current affairs slots. France - 4 January 2010

Big casting call for X Factor Candidates can now apply online to the world famous talent show at Vox.de. The TV show will be presented by Vox, with the kick-off and ﬁ nal shows to be broadcast on RTL Television. Germany - 5 January 2010

Learning while having fun Children can ﬁ nd captivating cartoons that help them learn on Disney Kid Club at 7:15, on weekdays. France - 7 January 2010

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Eating well, eating healthy M.I.A.M, Mon Invitation A Manger (Yummy, My Invitation to Eat) is M6’s new culinary show, Saturdays at 20:05. France - 8 January 2010

Ten years of Toggo The favourite online destination for German children celebrates its anniversary by adding interactive sections. Germany - 8 January 2010

A TV channel for ﬁ nding good deals The e-commerce site Mistergooddeal.com, owned by Groupe M6, has created a channel dedicated to bargains and is off to a ﬂ ying start with a record launch day. France - 8 January 2010

Com.mit Award now in its third year RTL Television has rung out the third Com.mit Award for Integration, open to school- children across Germany. The panel of judges now includes World Boxing Champion Felix Sturm. Germany - 12 January 2010

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RTL Televizija integrates Movie2Me in its tapeless workﬂ ow By integrating tapeless distribution, RTL Televizija completes its digital workﬂ ow and turns its back on tape for good. Luxembourg / Croatia - 13 January 2010

Howie Mandel will join the jury of America’s Got Talent The presenter of Deal or No Deal will join NBC’s hit summer series America’s Got Talent as a new judge when the programme returns for its ﬁ fth season this summer. Germany - 12 January 2010

Emotion, fun and great entertainment Grundy Light Entertainment is organising a public viewing of Deutschland sucht den Superstar (Idols) for the ﬁ rst time. Tickets are now available. Germany - 14 January 2010

Application procedure for 2011/12 begins The RTL School of Journalism celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and is now starting the application procedure for the next class. Germany - 14 January 2010

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People Tania Reichert-Facilides / Dirk Schweitzer Germany - 11 January 2010 Tania Reichert-Facilides

Tania Reichert-Facilides will step down as Man- Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland CEO Anke aging Director of Universum Film with effect Schäferkordt comments: “I respect Tania from 15 January 2010 to pursue a new entre- Reichert-Facilides’s decision to take a new preneurial challenge outside Mediengruppe RTL direction in her career, and wish her all the Deutschland. Dirk Schweitzer will take on the best. She has my gratitude for her efforts and interim management of Universum Film in addi- achievements in video and DVD sales, as well tion to his role as Head of Third-Party Program- as in cinematic and digital distribution over the ming/Licenses at RTL Television. past 15 years.”

Tania Reichert-Facilides had taken on the management of Universum Film (known then as BMG Video) in January 1998. Under her leadership, Universum Film increased its revenue to around EUR 105 million (2009) and generates a reliably positive result with its staff of around 70.

“After the wide-ranging entrepreneurial responsibility I held at Universum Film and BMG Video, I have decided to tackle a new challenge again,” says Tania Reichert-Facilides. “I truly enjoyed my time at Bertelsmann, both at BMG and at RTL. I would like to express my deep apprecia- tion for the trust and the entrepreneurial freedom the owners granted me, allowing me to put my ideas into action.”

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People Ruben Donath Germany - 18 December 2009 Ruben Donath

As of 1 December 2009, Ruben Donath was appointed Manager Marketing & Sales at UFA Brand Communications, in charge of customer relations and customer acquisition.

The focus of his work lies on product placement, branded entertainment for select brands, and corporate production. Prior to his new position, Donath spent over three years working as an Account Manager at Jung von Matt, where he managed the Sparkasse and 13th Street (NBC Universal Global Networks Germany) accounts during the past one-and-a-half years. His tasks primarily revolved around customer relations and the implementation of advertising and im- age ﬁ lms, as well as designing print ads and entire online campaigns.

Before joining Jung von Matt, Donath lived in Los Angeles and San Francisco, where he not only spent most of his growing-up years but also studied marketing and visual communications. During and immediately after his studies, he was involved in the production of programmes for MTV as Assistant Production Coordinator in charge of sponsor acquisition and product placement.

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People Alexander Fromm / Jan Paulus Germany - 7 January 2010

Alexander Fromm is leaving Super RTL of his own accord and on the friendliest of terms after two successful years with the company. Jan Paulus will take over the management of the New Media department in addition to his duties as Secretary General.

Alexander Fromm worked for Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland for a total of nine years, the last two of them very successfully advanc- ing the New Media department at Super RTL. Managing Director Claude Schmit says: “Alex- ander Fromm played a formative role in Super RTL’s successes and his efforts contributed Alexander Fromm Jan Paulus signifi cantly to growth in a diffi cult market. We are very sorry to see him go and wish him all the best with his new challenges as an entrepreneur. At the same time I am pleased we were able to recruit Jan Paulus to take over this strategically crucial department. Jan is deeply familiar both with the market and with Super RTL, and I am confi dent that this staffi ng decision puts us in the best possible position to tackle the challenges of the future.”

People Albert Verlinde Netherlands - 14 January 2010

RTL Nederland and Albert Verlinde have “It’s amazing that I still enjoy something so much extended their cooperation, keeping the popular after doing it for nine years,” said Verlinde. “And presenter on board the RTL 4 team. because the audience also enjoys it, we should keep doing this work.” Verlinde ﬁ rst went on air with RTL Boulevard on 3 September 2001. He has also appeared on several other RTL 4 formats, including the Saturday night show My Name Is Michael, which he co-developed.

RTL 4 Programme Director Erland Galjaard said: “Albert Verlinde is a familiar face in news and entertainment. He has proven his value for RTL Boulevard, and therefore for the RTL 4 access prime time slot. We are delighted to be able to continue working together.” Bert Habets, CEO RTL Nederland, Albert Verlinde and Erland Galjaard (from left to right) 24 http://backstage.rtlgroup.fr http://backstage.rtlgroup.com http://backstage.rtlgroup.de

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