21 October 2010

week 42

News for young people Why RTL II News attracts more young viewers than its direct competitors

Germany France Steffen Hallaschka succeeds M6 now available Günther Jauch as presenter of on iPad Stern TV

Luxembourg United Kingdom Gerhard Zeiler to be honoured FremantleMedia acquires by US Programme Executives majority stake in Ludia week 42 the RTL Group intranet

21 October 2010

week 42

Cover: Collage showing young people watching RTL II News and a comparison of audience shares among viewers aged 14 to 29.

News for young people Why RTL II News attracts more young viewers than its direct competitors 2

Germany France Steffen Hallaschka succeeds M6 now available Günther Jauch as presenter of on iPad Stern TV

Luxembourg United Kingdom Gerhard Zeiler to be honoured FremantleMedia acquires by US Programme Executives majority stake in Ludia week 42 the RTL Group intranet

“As little distance as possible” RTL II News covers young people’s issues. Jürgen Ohls and Sandra Thier explain their concept to attract rare audiences for news programmes. Jürgen Ohls – © RTL II / Sonja Calvert Germany - 21 October 2010

“The news is too complicated and it’s all about neously by competitors Das Erste (Tagesschau) politics – and I’m not interested in that” – or, and Sat1 (Sat1 Nachrichten). In 2010, the “apart from their own concerns, today’s youth RTL II News have reached an average aren’t interested in very much.” These are 8.6 percent of the 14 to 29 demographic – commonly held prejudices, but Jürgen Ohls, peaking at up to 15.9 percent. Tagesschau editor-in-chief of RTL II News disagrees with averages 8.2 percent in this target group and them. Talking to Backstage he says: “The media the Sat1 Nachrichten 7.0 percent. How was this can counter the prevailing disenchantment with success achieved? Says Ohls: “Our coverage politics in two ways: either you carry on doing is pitched at our viewers’ level. No patronising, more of the same and present content that’s no lecturing. There’s no shame if you difficult to understand – or you rejuvenate news can’t immediately find the Gaza Strip ona programmes and combine things young people map. The studio design also follows this need to know with things that they want to know.” approach. No desk, no barrier. As little distance to the audience as possible.” RTL II News explicitly catered to young viewers early on, as evidenced by its look and choice of Sandra Thier, previously a news anchor for the topics. The format has been frequently criticised Austrian commercial broadcaster ATV Plus, has for this. “Why, for example, should we cover the been presenting the RTL II News since 2005. Wagner Festival when for our viewers ‘Rock am She elaborates: “I don’t feel the news always Ring’ is much more interesting – and as far as need to be so stiff and formal. Our approach I’m concerned is just as relevant?” asks Ohls. to news anchoring is different: my clothes and Overall, he sees news as being a tremendously makeup are more youthful, and I try to speak the important part of the channel: “I think that tele- language of my target audience. That goes down vision cannot just consist of entertainment. A TV very well: many viewers write to tell me that this channel’s overall profile suffers without news. is exactly what they like about me and that they It is important for young people to know what’s really enjoy the RTL II News. Of course I am also happening around them. We engage viewers a role model for young people and share the who usually only rarely watch the news. This is a responsibility for selecting and presenting journalistic challenge and is a common-sense topics.” media policy. If there were no demand for this, then we wouldn’t be competitive” RTL II News subjects range from current events in politics and business to topics including RTL II News is not merely competitive – a film, music, games and fashion. “We are very glance at the viewer ratings shows that it is in transparent about this – the show’s positioning fact the lead show among young viewers when is clear: we cover young people’s issues,” says compared with programmes broadcast simulta- Ohls.

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agenda setting. Our campaigns draw attention to various issues and it works – after all, young people don’t walk around with blinkers on.”

Once a week, the editorial team also produces RTL II Nachrichtenjournal which includes a repeat of Wochen-Rap-Blick. “Here we summarise the week’s news in an hour,” says Ohls. “If you’ve missed something, this allows you to catch up on seven days’ of events in just 60 minutes.” On average, 8.9 percent of the 14 to 29 demographic watches Nachrichten- journal, and among 14 to 49-year-olds the average rises to 9.2 percent.

Sandra Thier presents the RTL II News weekdays at 20:00 RTL II News is produced in Cologne. Its proxim- © RTL II / Stephan Pick ity to the other Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland This is perfectly illustrated by the Wochen- editorial teams offers good opportunities for Rap-Blick, a weekly review that is rapped by cooperation. Says Ohls: “Of course we share the hip-hop duo Kunstrasen. “If something is information and ideas with our colleagues and done well, and I think Kunstrasen are doing a cooperate where it makes sense – for example, great job, it lightens up the coverage a bit,” with correspondents or foreign studios.” In doing says Ohls. “Yet there are limits, of course – for so it’s important for editorial teams to maintain example, if there is a tragedy in which many their own identity, he says – but this doesn’t rule people have died, decency prohibits out the exploitation of synergies. rapping about it.” RTL II introduced its Wochen-Rap-Blick during the federal elections, “Why should more than one team cover an event? when Kunstrasen presented the results in rap This frees up resources. And these should be form. Since January, Wochen-Rap-Blick has used to sharpen your profile,” says Ohls. “On top been an integral part of RTL II News. of this there’s an intensive exchange between editorial teams which is good for creativity.” The format also differs from other newscasts in other areas. RTL II News has special ‘theme The relocation of the Mediengruppe RTL weeks’ four or five times a year. “In November Deutschland broadcasting centre to Cologne- 2008, we coloured our set green for eight days Deutz has resulted in new technical possibilities during the UN Earth Summit,” says Ohls. In for the RTL II news formats as well: “We’ve long the theme weeks, various complex issues are had a modern design,” said Ohls. “We will take explained in greater detail. our time looking at the possibilities in the new broadcast centre and then decide how we want The next theme week will take place in mid- to use them.” November, on sustainability. Ohls: “This is clear

RTL II News is the most watched news show among viewers aged 14 to 29 at the 20:00 timeslot Source: AGF/GfK-Fernsehforschung 4 week 42 the RTL Group intranet

Enormous interest in prevention In response to the enormous viewer echo to Tatort Internet (Crime Scene: Internet) the channel is preparing an awareness and prevention kit. Stephanie zu Guttenberg, President of child protection association ‘Innocence in Danger’ Germany - 21 October 2010

RTL II reaches a vast audience with its many teens should not be online without some sort of productions – mostly young adults. Among other assistance,” says its federal chairman, Klaus things, the channel takes advantage of this to Jansen. He adds: “For years now, the German draw attention to societal problems. The most Union of Criminal Investigators has tried to get recent example is Tatort Internet. politicians, ministries and the media to see that we need to empower people to have a safer Stephanie zu Guttenberg, President of the child online experience by sharpening their eighth protection association ‘Innocence in Danger’, sense.” presented the first episode. She says: “We have been trying to get this topic onto television for Tatort Internet does precisely this: since going on years – and were turned down time and again, air with the programme, RTL II has provided ex- by public-service as well as commercial broad- tensive accompanying information on RTL2.de. casters. No one wanted to touch it. RTL II is Media scientist Jo Groebel praises the channel especially popular with young families, and for taking the initiative in this important societal that’s the demographic we want to reach. RTL II issue: “Drawing attention to online child abuse is has shown a great deal of courage. We must not always a balancing act for the mass media, both allow ourselves to shy away from critical thinking in terms of content and striking the right tone. when child protection is at stake.” RTL II dared to experiment by addressing the issue with a programme that builds awareness Since the series made its debut on 7 October, for the issue among demographics that haven’t RTL II has received numerous requests from been comprehensively reached in the viewers and officials at institutions who wish to past.“ use the format Tatort Internet – Schützt endlich unsere Kinder to build awareness and educate The educational DVD may the public. Teachers, police officers, educa- now be ordered free of tors and youth workers are interested in using charge from RTL II by the material in their lectures and workshops. sending an e-mail request Order the DVD at RTL II is responding to this need for information to [email protected]. praevention@ by producing specific working materials as the next step in its initiative to protect minors from rtl2.de sexual abuse.

The German Union of Criminal Investigators (BDK) agrees that the programme meets a need: “First of all the programme is important for citizens. Parents finally realise that children and

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Gerhard Zeiler to be honoured by NATPE In January 2011, RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler will receive the 8th annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award. He is the first non-American to receive this prestigious award. Gerhard Zeiler Luxembourg - 19 October 2010

In a press release, the National Association of The Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award is named in Television Programme Executives (NATPE) honor of Brandon Tartikoff, who was Programme stated: “During his tenure RTL Group has Executive at the US network NBC and thus impressively grown to have shareholdings in responsible for many famous international 39 television channels and 32 radio stations in formats such as The Cosby Show, Star Trek: 10 countries, becoming Europe’s leading family Deep Space Nine, Alf, Knight Rider, The of entertainment channels. Under Zeiler’s lead- A-Team, Miami Vice and many more. It was ership, RTL Group has become actively involved created to recognise a select group of television in worldwide content production through its professionals who exhibit extraordinary passion, production arm, Fremantle Media. The company leadership, independence and vision in the currently produces more than 300 programmes process of creating television programming. and 10,000 hours of programming yearly in 57 countries including film and series.” The National Association of Television Programme Executives (NATPE) is a global, Alongside with Gerhard Zeiler, Dick Ebersol, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing currently the Chairman of NBC Universal Sports information, marketing and meeting oppor- & Olympics, Mary Hart, host of Entertainment tunities in television programming. NATPE Tonight and broadcasting industry icon Regis sponsors a three-day annual annual conference Philbin will receive the award on Tuesday, in January that draws attendees from more than 25 January 2011, during the NATPE 2011 65 countries worldwide. Market & Conference in Miami. “We believe that Dick, Mary, Regis and Gerhard have remark- ably shaped the global television industry on both business and pop cultural levels, and truly embody the spirit of the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award,” said NATPE President & CEO Rick Feldman. “Both NATPE and Lilly Tartikoff Karatz are delighted to honor the recipients’ storied careers through this special celebration.”

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Steffen Hallaschka to present Stern TV Steffen Hallaschka will take over as the presenter of Stern TV on RTL Television from January 2011. He succeeds Günther Jauch, who is stepping down after 20 years as the show’s presenter. Günther Jauch (left) and Steffen Hallaschka Germany - 21 October 2010

Hallaschka has regularly presented the consum- DCTP’s Alexander Kluge comments: “DCTP er show Markt on NDR since 2006, and has also welcomes the decision, jointly arrived at served as substitute presenter of the NDR Talk with the programme’s producer I&U after a Show since 2006. He has also presented the careful review, of appointing Steffen Hallaschka ARD programme Ratgeber Technik since earlier as Günther Jauch’s successor. In his years this year. Hallaschka began his career in radio with the programme, Jauch demonstrated that aged 21, joining Hessischer Rundfunk’s youth programmes by independent third parties can programming in 1993. He later left to join Radio both enhance diversity and provide a valuable Fritz in Berlin, and was a presenter with Radio complement and benefit for the main channel, Eins from 2004 to 2008. Hallaschka initially RTL Television. DCTP is confident that ventured into TV in 1996 when he presented Hallaschka will successfully continue on this 100 Grad on Deutsche Welle TV and ORB. This course.” was followed by a number of assignments as a presenter for ARD’s regional broadcasters, 3Sat Anke Schäferkordt, CEO of RTL Television, and Arte, as well as for commercial channels. says: “The producer’s proposal meets with our approval, Steffen Hallaschka is RTL Television’s Andreas Zaik, Managing Director of I&U TV first choice as well. His work to date has Produktion, says: “Steffen Hallaschka s a perfect prepared him well for holding interviews and match for the Stern TV job profile. In addition to getting to the heart of issues affecting consumers. his professional experience, he possesses a Not only is he likable, he is above all authentic deep journalistic curiosity, as evidenced espe- and keeps viewers on board even and especially cially in his interviews. He has a wide-ranging when the issues are complex. We look forward interest in a lot of different topics and was to having Steffen on board as a new face in immediately able to identify with the mix of topics RTL Television’s programming.” covered by Stern TV.” Stern TV first went on the air in 1990 on Günther Jauch says: “I am pleased that Steffen RTL Television. In 2010, the show has averaged Hallaschka will become my successor at Stern 2.91 million viewers, or 18.3 per cent of the TV. He is a well-known presenter with plenty of 14- to 49-year-old viewer market. Stern TV is experience and an utterly pleasant colleague. I one of the independent programmes shown am sure that he will quickly manage to imprint a under the DCTP license (Alexander Kluge and style of his own and be a success with Stern TV.” others) as “programming by independent third parties” in accordance with the regulations of the Rundfunkstaatsvertrag (interstate broadcasting treaty) to ensure diversity.

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Watch M6 on a tablet, too The “M6 pour iPad” app is now available for free download on the App Store. France - 20 October 2010

Developed by M6 Web, the app’s design, layout and video quality were specifically adapted for the Apple tablet. The “M6 pour iPad” app works on 3G and Wifi networks and at launch will be streaming M6 live 24/7, meaning all the station’s programmes simultaneously on the iPad, as well as its catch-up service M6 Replay. That means users can watch free reruns of M6 shows, series, news and kids programmes on the iPad in their entirety for 7 to 15 days after they have aired.

Launched 29 September, the iPhone and iPod Touch version of the M6 app went straight to the Top 25. With almost 500,000 downloads, it is still one of the top 5 free apps on the French App Store.

The new “M6 pour iPad” app

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Transparency and Energy M6 decks itself out with new network branding. France - 21 October 2010

One of M6’s new logo animations

On 18 October, M6 rolled out its new ad In an effort to ensure a uniform broadcasting jingles and a new self-promotion format for its format and get ready for all digital television, shows. The redesign draws on the concepts this was also the week the network switched of transparency and proximity to viewers. The everything to 16:9. That way M6 is adjusting flying M6 logo is meant to give an air of levity. to the new market reality: according to a The TV branding was done by the View agency multimedia device reference study (April to and produced by Christophe Valdejo. June 2010) conducted by Médiamétrie, 62 per cent of households already have 16:9 screens.

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FremantleMedia to acquire majority stake in Ludia FremantleMedia acquires a further 51 per cent in Ludia, bringing its stake in the company to 80 per cent. United Kingdom - 19 October 2010

The deal is expected to finalise before the end of the year subject to customary closing conditions and Canadian regulatory approval. Ludia’s President and Founder, Alex Thabet, will continue in his position and the holding will not impact any of the firm’s existing manage- ment team or third party partnerships.

Both companies have collaborated since 2008 on a diverse range of titles for leading games consoles and PCs as well as iPhone and iPad Family Feud on PS3 applications for well-known FremantleMedia classics such as The Price is Right, Family Feud and Press Your Luck. Ludia has also moved into social games most recently on Facebook with The Price is Right, and other titles are to follow.

“Ludia is a leading creator of video games, and after building a successful relationship over the last few years we are delighted to fully welcome them into the FremantleMedia family,” says FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen. “Interactive gaming is an important way for FremantleMedia to diversify and this will increase our expertise and capability in this area, allowing both compa- nies to develop even more successful consumer- facing entertainment across multiple platforms.”

The deal forms part of FremantleMedia’s ongoing plan to broaden and diversify its business scope through the development of new customers and business models for entertainment in addition to its TV business. It also builds on an existing relationship between Ludia and Fremantle- Media.

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Pakistan needs money: RTL Belgium gets involved RTL-TVI, Bel RTL and RTLinfo.be are mobilising and coordinating an on-air and online fundraising campaign for the Pakistan 12-12 consortium. Luc Trullemans Belgium - 21 October 2010

Pakistan was struck by a large-scale natural dis- Caritas International, Handicap International, aster that has left 20 million people in dire straits. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans What started out as a fairly commonplace flood Frontières, Oxfam-Solidarité and UNICEF following monsoon rains became, in three weeks’ Belgium, the five humanitarian organisations time, the worst natural disaster in the history of working together on the Pakistan 12-12 appeal, Pakistan. In response, the Belgian family’s three are active on the ground and setting up mainstays on TV, radio and the Web have set up programmes for water, hygiene, food, health an aid campaign that will run from Thursday 21 care and security. The requirements to run their to Sunday 24 October. aid programmes until the end of October 2010 have risen to EUR 12 million. So far, only one On RTL-TVI, a video explaining the precarious third of this amount has been raised. situation of the victims as well as satellite maps are shown at the start of the weather reports. Each day, different videos and maps make it possible to visualise and understand the extent of the flooding and the gravity of the situation. RTL Belgium is also inviting its audience to visit the website for this initiative, www.1212.be, where it states: “with EUR 30, you provide a family with drinking water for a month; with EUR 50, you provide decent lodging for a family; with EUR 120, you provide a village with six months’ worth of essential medications.”

On Bel RTL, meteorologist Luc Trullemans reviews the situation during his weather report on Thursday 21 October at 6:55 and Friday 22 October at 8:28. An appeal for donations is launched, and RTLinfo.be runs a banner on the site to announce the initiative.

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“A new experience” RTL Luxembourg’s new iPad application, the ‘iPad –Zeitung’, is now available from the AppStore. RTL Lëtzebuerg’s ‘iPad-Zeitung’ Luxembourg - 15 October 2010

The iPad can now be used to watch and listen to RTL and access various RTL services. And the new app isn’t limited to what is already available on RTL.lu or on the iPhone, but goes beyond this, offering the whole range of “made in RTL” services with more texts, more images and more videos available free of charge. Furthermore, the font has been adapted to favour an easy read and its content will be constantly updated.

Tom Weber, Station Manager at RTL New Media and responsible for the development of the application, comments: “By creating an appli- cation tailored to the iPad, we are enhancing our mobile offer. We are confident it will be as successful as our app for the iPhone.”

RTL Lëtzebuerg’s iPhone app was launched last March and within four hours became the most-downloaded app in the country. It has been downloaded 70,000 times to date.

“After the RTL iPhone app, which was a phenomenal success and after HD broad- casts, Luxembourg inhabitants will have the opportunity to consume RTL Lëtzebuerg’s media offer on a new platform and live a new experience” according to Alain Berwick, CEO RTL Lëtzebuerg.

12 Alarm für Cobra 11: a strong finish The final episode of season 17 of Alarm für Cobra 11 scored an outstanding market share of 22.9 per cent among 14- to 49-year-olds on the evening of 14 October. On average, 22.2 per cent of 14- to 49-year-old viewers tuned in for the 17th season of the action series. Season 18 is scheduled to go on air beginning next spring. week 42 the RTL Group intranet

Models, cooks and Arabian nights This autumn, the second seasons of Hrvatski Top Model, Jezikova juha (Kitchen Nightmares) and the Turkish drama Binbir Gece are generating audience shares way above 30 per cent among viewers aged 18 to 49. Croatia - 15 October 2010

Getting things done The youth portal Du hast die Macht! presents dedicated young politicians in its new online series Die Anpacker – Junge Politiker zwischen Idealismus und Tagespolitik. Germany - 15 October 2010

TV movie about the Chilean miners Since 5 August, Antena 3 Films, in association with Dynamo Factory, has been at work producing a made-for-television movie about the story of the Chilean miners trapped in the mine at San José. Spain - 18 October 2010

One anniversary, millions of gifts To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Mistergooddeal, the Groupe M6 subsidiary selling household goods and appliances on the Internet, is giving away coupons with a total worth of EUR 10 million to customers on its website. France - 19 October 2010

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Full power on AM 828 Listeners of Radio 10 Gold can now listen to their favourite station by tuning on to the newly allocated AM frequency 828. Netherlands - 19 October 2010

More movement, more information UFA.de is online in a new look following an extensive redesign. Germany - 20 October 2010

Going live Grundy UFA unveiled its new homepage last week, providing a compelling peek behind the scenes of industrial series production. The website combines the advantages of classic websites with innovative Web 2.0 features. Germany - 21 October 2010

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People Roel Geeraedts Netherlands - 18 October 2010

Roel Geeraedts (37) has been appointed RTL Nieuws’ new Middle East correspondent.

Geeraedts will take over from Conny Mus, who died of a cardiac arrest at the age of 59 on 20 August. Conny Mus served for 20 years as a correspondent of RTL Nieuws. Editor-in-Chief Harm Taselaar said: ”Conny was unique and we miss him every day. But I’m very happy that one of our own passionate journalists will be stepping into his shoes. I’m confident that Roel Geeraedts, a totally committed RTL journal- ist, will find his own way of doing things in the Middle East”.

Geeraedts’ comment on his appointment was: “It’s a fantastic job and an honour to be reporting from the Middle East for our viewers”.

It is not yet known precisely when Geeraedts will Roel Geeraedts be leaving for Jerusalem.

People Paolo Rovere France - 20 October 2010

Paolo Rovere joined the teams of Mistergood- deal.com on 30 August 2010 and has become a member of the Ventadis Executive Committee.

Paolo Rovere, who is of Italian origin, has 15 years’ experience in marketing and trade marketing in several large groups in the field of high consumption products, working in innova- tion, marketing and sales: After five years with the marketing department of the Ferrero Group of France and Europe, four years in the Danone Group and five years in different positions in the marketing department of Procter and Gamble, Paolo Rovere has been, since 2008, director of a Business Unit in the Smartbox Group.

Paolo Rovere 16 Photo © Ventadis http://backstage.rtlgroup.fr http://backstage.rtlgroup.com http://backstage.rtlgroup.de

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