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Home , Alan Fletcher (actor), Anne Charleston, Colette Mann, Danielle Cormack, Delta Goodrem, Doug Willis

week 12 / 19 March 2015

AN AUSTRALIAN ICON

How FremantleMedia ’s daily soap won the hearts of millions of viewers over three decades

Luxembourg Luxembourg Croatia Guillaume de Posch RTL Group named RTL Hrvatska delivers keynote speech ‘Luxembourg’s launches three at the Cable Congress most attractive new pay channels Employer’ week 12 / 19 March 2015

AN AUSTRALIAN ICON

How FremantleMedia Australia’s daily soap won the hearts of millions of viewers over three decades

Luxembourg Luxembourg Croatia Guillaume de Posch RTL Group named RTL Hrvatska delivers keynote speech ‘Luxembourg’s launches three at the Cable Congress most attractive new pay channels Employer’ Cover 30 years

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

“We have the content; you have the distribution pipeline” RTL Group “One of the most iconic p.10–11 programmes ever to be produced in Australia” RTL Group once FremantleMedia Australia again ‘Luxembourg’s p.4–9 Most Attractive Employer’ RTL Group p.12

Crime, Passion and Living enrich RTL Group’s family of channels in Croatia RTL Hrvatska p.13

An enriched listening experience, thanks to Big Picture ‘Shazam for Radio’ p.15 IP France p.14

SHORT p.16–17

PEOPLE

p.18 “ONE OF THE MOST On 18 March 2015, the FremantleMedia Australia (FMA) production ICONIC PROGRAMMES Neighbours turned 30. Backstage looks back EVER TO BE PRODUCED at the success of this long-running soap. IN AUSTRALIA”

Australia – 18 March 2015 FremantleMedia Australia

To commemorate the show’s 30th anniversary the series brings together past and present residents as part of a special two-week storyline 4 Neighbours is a daily soap that portrays the lives of people living and working in , a fictional suburb of . The story focuses WORD ON THE RAMSAY STREET... on the residents of Ramsay Street, who are seen dealing with the challenges and trials that ordinary people face every day. The series is a perfect blend of fiction and reality, and has become part of viewers’ daily routine in Australia and beyond.

Since Neighbours was first broadcast in 1985 the show has sold internationally and is currently watched by millions of viewers every day in such diverse markets as Barbados, Norway and Belgium, as well as in the UK and, more recently, the USA. The 30th anniversary of Neighbours will be the 7,083rd episode of the series, making it the longest-running Australian drama and one of the most successful Australian television exports in history. Ramsay Street is set to entertain and surprise. To commemorate the show’s 30th anniversary the series brings together past and present Ramsay Street residents as part of a special two-week storyline. Fans can look forward to some dramatic surprises, as well as a feast of nostalgia.

Neighbours has launched the careers of global stars including singers , , , and , as well as Hollywood actors such as and . A number of international stars have dropped by to make cameo appearances too, including Baby Spice, , , The Wombats and .

Ian Hogg, CEO FremantleMedia Australia and Asia Pacific

Ian Hogg, CEO FremantleMedia Australia and Asia Pacific, says: “This is the only chance we will have in our lifetime to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of one of our programmes. It is a milestone of great importance and historical significance. Neighbours’ international success and ability to create superstars makes it one of the most iconic programmes ever to be produced in Australia. Sincere congratulations to our incredibly hardworking crew who continue to evolve and grow Neighbours.”

Jason Donovan and Russel Crowe (right), in Neighbours

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5

NEIGHBOURS MAKES ITS STAMP ON AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

To mark the occasion, FMA’s Media and Brand Licensing division has collaborated with Australia Post and has released a special commemorative stamp pack featuring some of the most popular characters from the show. You can order the stamps here.

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Get involved and Tweet #Neighbours30 @NeighboursTV

6 30 YEARS / 30 FACTS PAGE 1 OF 2

Neighbours 30th anniversary is celebrated It would take approximately on 18 March 2015 and 147 days to watch all the 1 will be the 7,083rd Neighbours episodes back to episode 2 back

Approximately 28,000 There have been fifteen cast and crew have births on Neighbours, 3 worked on Neighbours 4 34 deaths and 41 in three decades marriages

There are approximately 3,320 pieces of clothing in Neighbours has filmed outside of 5 the costume department Melbourne on five occasions – twice 6 each in London and and once in , The show was watched by It takes six months from plotting the story line, filming, approximately editing and airing an episode 21 million 8 7 viewers in Australia and Ramsay Street is an actual residential street called Pin Oak the UK during Court in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The producers wanted 2014 9 a street that featured houses was typical of the era when the series launched

In 2013, three backyards for number 22, 25 and 32 houses Neighbours has launched the careers of were built on the show’s back lot global stars including Kylie Minogue, Guy 10 making it the largest dedicated Pearce, Jason Donovan, Delta Goodrem, drama set in the Southern 11 , Jesse Spencer, Natalie Hemisphere Imbruglia and Holly Valance

Scott and Charlene’s wedding (Jason (Paul Robinson) Donovan and Kylie Minogue) was 13 is the only actor remaining who 12 viewed by 19.6 million in the UK and appeared in the first episode a turning point for the nightly show

Stefan left Neighbours in 1993 and Erinsborough is an anagram returned in 2004. Paul Robinson 15 of Neighbours 14 is the longest running character on Australian television

7 30 YEARS / 30 FACTS PAGE 2 OF 2

Five regular cast members (current & past) have played multiple characters: 16 – two, – two, Brett Tucker – three, Jackie Woodburne (Susan Tim Phillips – two and – two Kennedy) has filmed more episodes than any other 17 actress on Neighbours – close to 5,000

Harold’s Store was previously called – Paul Robinson is Daphnes (1986-1993), Hungry Bite Café the most ‘married’ (1993-1995), The Holy Roll (1995-1997), character with five The Coffee Shop (1997-2005), Bishop & former wives 18 19 Carpenter’s General Store (2005-2008) and was renamed Harold’s Store in 2008 in honour of leaving Erinsborough

Alan Fletcher () and Jackie Woodburne (), Neighbours’ 20 longest running married couple, played brother Neighbours is filmed in the and sister in a police series called in same studios as Cell the 1980s Block H and the bricks used 21 on the Bishop’s house are recycled cell walls Josh Willis is Steph Scully’s 22 son in real life They may be twins on the show, but in real life, Josh and 23 Imogen (Harley and Ariel) are dating Amber and Kyle are a couple in 24 real life Jason Donovan (Scott Robinson) is the son of 25 Terrance Donovan ()

Tom Oliver () Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) in 26 was born in Hampshire, UK real life, is actually Dame Judi Dench’s 27 cousin

Ian Smith (Harold Bishop) is a massive Holly Valance’s sister is 28 Leeds United FC fan now in Neighbours as 29 Paige

Collette Mann (Sheila Canning) starred in the original Prisoner 30 Cell Block H

8

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT Ramsay Street has been hit by tornados, murders, ghosts and bush fires over the last 30 years – but ask any die-hard Neighbours fan for their favourite episode and there is one moment guaranteed to come up again and again: Scott and Charlene’s wedding. Broadcast in 1987, episode 523 saw the two popular characters played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, tie the knot in what was the equivalent of a royal wedding for the show’s viewers. In Australia the episode was watched by two million viewers, making it one of the highest- rating episodes, while in the UK, over 19 million fans tuned in to watch the happy event. Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue (right)

Happy 30th Birthday, Neighbours! To mark the occasion, FremantleMedia hosted a celebratory event on 17 March 2015 in London, at which Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia, was joined by a number of special guests, including High Commissioner to the UK, the Honourable Alexander Downer AC, and Neighbours cast members Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), (Madge Bishop), () and Tim Phillipps (Daniel Robinson). Happy 30th Birthday, Neighbours !

Left to right (excluding showgirls and people holding the cake): Honourable Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner, Neighbours cast members Stefan Dennis, Anne Charleston, Olympia Valance, Tim Phillipps, Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia and Ben Frow, Director of Programmes at Channel 5

9 “WE HAVE THE CONTENT; YOU HAVE THE DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE” RTL Group

On 11 March 2015, Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO of RTL Group, delivered a keynote speech at the Cable Congress 2015 in Brussels. Organised by Cable Europe, the first day of the event was attended by around 500 representatives from the cable, IT and TV industries. Luxembourg – 13 March 2015

Under the title “The transformation of the TV industry”, de Posch analysed the challenges and opportunities faced by the TV industry in today’s digital era. After a short presentation of RTL Group’s business model, the Co-CEO set the tone of his presentation by saying: “Cable operators and commercial broadcasters: we’ve grown up together.”

He went on to depict the complexity of the TV business by explaining that there are now more channels, which Guillaume de Posch at the Cable Congress 2015: “Cable operators and commercial broadcasters: we have grown up together” has resulted in a highly fragmented media landscape; more distributors, such as Amazon and Netflix, which has increased competition; and more devices to watch content on.

RTL Group’s Co-CEO identified three major shifts in free-to-air broadcasters’ business models: from broad to niche, from linear to non-linear TV and from purely ad-funded to additional monetisation models. As far as the broad and niche shift is concerned, de Posch mentioned that RTL Group’s response has been the launch of new channels on cable and other networks, as well as the creation of catch-up TV platforms by RTL Group broadcasters. Addressing the topic of linear and non-linear viewing, de Posch emphasised that “TV consumption is remarkably stable.” Highlighting TV viewing consumption in RTL Group’s core markets, he added that non-linear viewing was bound to increase.

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10 RTL Group’s robust response to the rise of non-linear television is that in the last three years, “we have heavily invested in multi-channel networks.” Under this topic, he also pointed out that RTL Group has expanded its footprint in North America through key digital investments such as BroadbandTV, StyleHaul and SpotXchange. After analysing RTL Group’s catch-up TV and SVOD offers in France, , the and Belgium, he highlighted that data-driven approaches are crucial to unlocking the full value of viewers. In this context, he identified further potential for collaboration with cable operators, as broadcasters have relationships with advertisers, premium content and technology in place to sell programmatically, while cable companies have relationships with customers, profiles based on geographical, demographic and behavioural data and the ability to insert dynamic advertising.

As far as additional monetisation models are concerned, de Posch highlighted that RTL Group has recently invested in SpotXchange, a worldwide leading programmatic platform, and outlined its business model. Concluding his speech, de Posch identified four areas of existing and potential collaboration between broadcasters and cable operators. The first area pertains to linear free-to-air TV: “We have the linear TV signal and content; you have the distribution pipeline.” The second area involves opportunities presented in the linear pay-TV field by the fact that broadcasters have the know-how to create new channels and brands, while cable operators have the ability to market and opportunities to upsell. The third field focuses on non-linear TV and the need to defend the core businesses, while final area of potential collaboration pertains to targeted advertising and opportunities to develop additional business.

We can create together – we aim at win-win collaborations

We have… You have … Together …

Linear … the linear TV signal (SD/ ... the distribution pipeline … we collaborate on Free-TV HD) and content and household access fair terms

Linear … the know-how to create … the ability to market and … we can build Pay-TV new channels and brands upsell opportunities additional business

… we should be … the VOD rights and digital … the aggregation platform strong defending Non-linear TV brands across platforms and consumer relationship our core business

Targeted … worldwide programmatic … consumer data on … we can build advertising exchange managed platforms additional business

We can create together – we aim at win-win collaborations

11 RTL GROUP ONCE AGAIN ‘LUXEMBOURG’S MOST ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER’ RTL Group

For the second year in a row, RTL Group has been voted ‘most attractive employer’ in the Greater Region of Luxembourg, according to the 2015 Randstad Awards survey. The prize giving ceremony took place on 12 March 2015 at Neumünster Abbey in Luxembourg. Luxembourg – 16 March 2015

For the award, the 30 largest private companies in Luxembourg were surveyed in an employer branding study that was conducted by independent research company ICMA.

RTL Group emerged once again as the most attractive employer in the region, closely followed by Luxair and Banque de Luxembourg.

From left to right: Romain Mannelli, Executive Vice President Human Resources Jean-Pierre Mullenders, Managing of RTL Group, Esther Pierard, Senior Manager HR Communications & Event Services, Director of Randstad Luxembourg, Health & Well-being of RTL Group and Jean-Pierre Mullenders, Managing Director who presented the results of this year’s of Randstad Luxembourg Randstad Award, explains: “The Group’s excellent reputation in the media business together with its strong local presence and dynamic and professional working environment have clearly contributed to securing the first place in the list as most attractive employer in the Greater Region.”

Romain Mannelli, Executive Vice President Human Resources at RTL Group, says: “We are extremely honoured to be recognised as the most attractive employer for the second consecutive year. The award is a reflection of ten years of fostering a valuable corporate culture as well as a pleasant and stimulating working environment. In today’s highly competitive job market, we are continually challenged to bringing top talent on board. Our employees are an essential element in building a recognised employer brand.”

The online survey was carried out with a panel of 1,000 people aged between 18 to 65, who were asked to evaluate the relative attractiveness of each of the selected companies on a series of criteria such as salary and employee benefits, long-term job security, a pleasant working atmosphere, a good work-life balance or career progression opportunities to name but a few.

It was the second time in the 20-year history of the Randstad Award that Luxembourg took part in the online survey, which is conducted in 23 countries.

12 CRIME, PASSION AND LIVING ENRICH RTL GROUP’S FAMILY OF CHANNELS IN CROATIA RTL Hrvatska

On 12 March 2015, three new members were added to RTL Group’s family of channels in Croatia: RTL Passion, RTL Crime and RTL Living. The new channels are available as part of cable and IPTV packages. Croatia – 16 March 2015

RTL Hrvatska now operates three free-to-air and three pay-TV channels, more than any competitor on the Croatian market. Croatia’s first IPTV channel, RTL Plus, founded in 2008, has been transformed into three channels: Passion, Crime and Living. Channels are available within more than 90 per cent of cable and IPTV operators, namely VIP net, Bnet, Max TV, Iskon, Optima Telekom, Amis and H 1 Telekom. The newly launched channels aim to bring passion, romance and mystery to Croatian viewers. Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland kindly provided the channels’ visual graphics.

CEO of RTL Hrvatska Henning Tewes pressing the red button to mark the launch of the new channels

The new family of channels in Croatia

RTL Passion will offer the best Croatian and international drama series and soaps. Sulejman Velicanstveni (The Magnificent Century), the incredible story of the love between the Ottoman Empire’s greatest sultan and his slave girl, and Divlja ruza (Rosa Salvaje), one of the best known and most popular Latin American in Croatia, are just two of many series.

RTL Living combines the best RTL family-oriented local productions (321 – Cook, Farmer Wants A Wife) and top international lifestyle shows, talk-variety programmes and reality television series like Ellen de Generes, Property Brothers and Undercover Boss. The latest interior design trends, lifestyle advice, stories about the lives of celebrities and ordinary people alike, and the little secrets of great chefs form just part of RTL Living’s programme line-up.

RTL Crime will offer the best of crime content in Croatia with blockbusters like The Shield, OZ and the complete CSI franchise.

13 AN ENRICHED LISTENING EXPERIENCE, THANKS TO ‘SHAZAM FOR RADIO’ IP France

IP France, which manages advertising sales for RTL Group’s radio activities in France, is launching an innovative new interactive, cross-media advertising platform using Shazam technology whose impact can be measured immediately. France – 19 March 2015

Every day, 12 million listeners tune in to the French radio stations RTL, RTL2 and , and their advertising sales house is now teaming up with Mobile Network Group (MNG), Shazam’s exclusive distributor in France, to develop the interactivity of radio ads with the help of the sound recognition app used by 8.5 million French users every month.

After a teaser lasting a few seconds, listeners are invited to use their mobile app to ‘shazam’ ads for free. They are then redirected to exclusive content and services, like mini-sites, discount coupons, competitions, geolocation services and social networks.

The ‘Shazam for Radio’ advertising platform is being marketed by IP France, which will take charge of producing the radio ad and managing relations with Mobile Network Group (MNG). Shazam will encrypt the ads and develop the mini-site that redirects listeners.

14 © RTL / Stefan Gregorowius © RTL

Let’s Dance again, finally

From classic Viennese waltzes to fiery sambas – who’s got the rhythm? On 13 March 2015, RTL Television set out to find the year’s most talented dance celebrity in season eight of Let’s Dance. Soccer player and show candidate Hans Sarpei surprised the judges with his swinging hips and earned 21 points out of 30 points for his cha-cha with professional Latin & Standard dancer Kathrin Menzinger. 18.4 per cent of the total audience, and 20.3 per cent of shoppers aged 14 to 59 tuned in to watch the Click or scan to watch new season’s premiere. the cha-cha SHORT NEWS 1/2

‘Prisoners’ have been awarded FremantleMedia Australia

FremantleMedia Australia’s hit prison drama has been named Most Outstanding Australian Drama at the 2015 Astra Awards for the second year running. Actress Danielle Cormack also picked up the award for Most Outstanding Performance. Australia – 16 March 2015

Exceptional industry figures FremantleMedia

MipTV has unveiled its Medaille d’Honneur recipients for 2015, and FremantleMedia CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz is among the four entertainment executives to receive the award. Award recognises execs making a significant contribution to the world of television. – 17 March 2015

Honouring a career

On 11 March 2015, French President François Hollande named Bibiane Godfroid, Director General of Productions at Groupe M6, a chevalier of the order of the Légion d’Honneur in recognition for her achievements throughout her career. France – 17 March 2015

Asia’s Got Talent kick-off smashes ratings FremantleMedia Asia

Asia’s Got Talent’s premiere on AXN on 12 March 2015 collectively topped ratings among English pay-TV channels in Southeast Asia. During the show’s two hour debut, AXN delivered more than ten times the ratings of the next English general entertainment channel across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. In Taiwan, Asia’s Got Talent premiered on 13 March 2015 and was the top programme of the day amongst the international general entertainment channels. Singapore – 17 March 2015

16 SHORT NEWS 2/2

Grand Prix RTL-Lire 2015 RTL Radio (France)

On 16 March 2015, RTL Radio announced that Léonor de Recondo’s book, Amours is the winner of the 2015 Grand Prix RTL-Lire. The author chose the rarefied setting of a wealthy household at the beginning of the twentieth century to give free rein to the purest – and most unexpected – expressions of love. France – 17 March 2015

In search of long-lost families M6

The documentary magazine show Recherche dans l’intérêt des familles premiered on M6 on 18 March 2015. The programme, which is presented by Adriana Karembeu and journalist Patrick Spica, is often the last resort for people who want to find a member of their family they have been trying to track down in vain, for years. France – 18 March 2015

Expanding its international footprint

Atresmedia has announced that it now reaches 30 million households worldwide through its international channels Antena 3 Internacional, Atres Series and Hola TV, the latter as a joint venture with the magazine Hola. – 18 March 2015

Monkeying around for charity RTL Television

As part of his TV project, RTL Television reporter Jenke von Wilmsdorff made a successful appeal for people to download new organ donor cards and has now reached the magic number of 100,000. Germany – 19 March 2015

17 PEOPLE FREMANTLEMEDIA INTERNATIONAL SHAPES ITS SENIOR TEAM FremantleMedia International

United Kingdom – 19 March 2015

Jens Richter, CEO of FremantleMedia International

After almost 100 days in his role as CEO of FremantleMedia Richter has also implemented changes within the International (FMI), Jens Richter has unveiled a new global sales force, promoting Singapore-based, structure for his senior management team, which will Haryaty Rahman to SVP, Sales & Distribution Asia. strengthen central operations and finance functions and Rahman’s line manager Ganesh Rajaram (EVP, Sales increase sales focus in the emerging markets. & Distribution, Asia) and Sheila Aguirre (EVP, Content Distribution & Format Sales, Latin America & Hispanic US) Former Chief Finance Officer and Director of Operations, will now report directly to Richter as FMI seeks to grow its Bob McCourt, becomes Chief Operating Officer in activity in the emerging markets. As part of this renewed the new structure, supporting Richter in managing and focus, FMI is also looking to hire a new senior executive leading FMI. He will help Richter to set and implement for Central and Eastern Europe. the FMI’s strategic and commercial direction, and oversee all operational and financial aspects of the distribution Of his plans, Jens Richter, CEO FMI, says: “Since business. McCourt’s day-to-day financial responsibilities joining FremantleMedia International, I have been hugely are taken over by Darren Green who has been promoted impressed by the energy and dedication of the sales from Senior Financial Controller to Financial Director, FMI. teams in every corner of the world. Today’s announcement The news follows the recent appointment of seeks only to strengthen the team further and recognises Georgia Brown as SVP Scripted, as the business looks to the brilliant work they have done so far. I am delighted to build FMI’s activity in drama and comedy and consolidate have Bob working side by side with me – he has been its expertise in the field of co-production and co-financing. a fantastic aide since I joined FMI – while changes to reporting structures reflect our increased commitment to the emerging markets, and the potential opportunities they offer.”

18 More about Backstage

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