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Newsletter 17 July 2008 Human Tetris Rob Clark on distributing Hole in the Wall worldwide
Luxembourg RTL Group welcomes decision in the Cisac case Jean-Claude Juncker live on RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg Germany The FIFA World Cup 2010 on RTL Television RTL II reveiling its autumn schedule Spain Antena 3 to be marketed on Youtube Human Tetris Rob Clark on distributing Hole in the Wall worldwide
COVER: Hole in the Wall Luxembourg RTL Group welcomes decision in the Cisac case Jean-Claude Juncker live on RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg Germany The FIFA World Cup 2010 on RTL Television RTL II reveiling its autumn schedule Spain Antena 3 to be marketed on Youtube
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“It’s the fastest roll out we’ve ever had” Hole in the Wall, an action packed entertain- ment show which originated in Japan, turned out to be a great success for FremantleMedia. In Backstage, Rob Clark explains the global fascination. Rob Clark United Kingdom -10 July 2008
On paper it doesn’t sound like such a great pro- to become a firm favourite with all the family. gramme idea: ‘contestant jumps through a hole Last week, when Fox and FremantleMedia star- in the wall’. But Hole in the Wall has fast beco- ted producing Hole in the wall in the US, me an international hit. The format that ran first Talkback Thames announced that the show has on Fuji TV in Japan sees two teams of three also been commissioned by BBC One in the competing against each other to make their United Kingdom. The knockabout game show bodies fit into a series of different holes in a wall will be hosted by the ever-popular presenter as it speeds towards them. It might sound sim- Dale Winton. It is scheduled to air later this ple, but it’s much harder than it looks. The win- year. Claire Horton, Deputy Head of Entertain- ners end up with a cash prize, the losers are ment at Talkback Thames said of the show: pushed into a pool of water. In many adapta- “This is a feel good addictive show which is tions there are celebrities trying to force them- guaranteed to bring a smile to your face”. selves through the various holes in a wall. But for the celebrities taking part it’s not the fear of All in all Hole in the Wall has already turned out ruining their hair and make-up in the water that to be a great success all over the globe. In scares them most; it’s having to do it while Backstage Rob Clark, Senior Executive Vice wearing a very tight shiny lycra all-in-one num- President Entertainment and Production at ber. FremantleMedia, talks about the format’s impact on television. “The Japanese version is a segment of a varie- ty show so it needed to be made to work as a self-contained show”, explains Vasha Wallace, Vice President Format Acquisitions at FremantleMedia. “Fuji wanted to work with us because of our global reach. They wanted us to Hole in the Wall is a Fuji TV format distrib- create a global brand – and I convinced them uted by FremantleMedia. In less than a that they should leave it to us! We’re one of the year, the format has sold to 22 countries. few companies that can make a programme In Asia (its home territory), it is in its sec- and roll it out in a 360 degree process, inclu- ond series for Indonesia and commis- ding licensing and so on, with all the various sioned in Australia, Hong Kong, India, aspects of a global brand. They trusted us to Malaysia and the Philippines. In Europe, do that.” the format has been sold to Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Norway, Over 10 million hits on YouTube have ensured Russia, Sweden and the UK. In the that Hole In The Wall, or Human Tetris, as it is Americas, it has sold to Argentina, Chile, also known, has already established itself as a Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay global phenomenon. With the series being and the US. recently picked up by Fox in America, it is sure 3 week 29 the RTL Group intranet
Where and when did you see Hole in the Wall for the first time? The format had been pitched to Vasha Wallace in our LA office as we’ve been keeping an eye on Japanese formats for a while. She then came back to the UK, shoved me in my seat, turned on Youtube and made me watch it.
What were the first reactions when you showed the format to your colleagues? We had two reactions: the majority of people thought it was very funny, many said it wasn’t a format. Half were right!
What makes this show so special? It’s different and funny and very, very visual. Most TV broadcasts you could listen to on the radio as well, but this could only be on televi- sion.
Is it difficult to adapt the show for different countries? No, it’s very universal so it’s easy to adapt. People falling in water, people dressed in span- dex, people playing silly games – is funny anywhere. There’s been an amazing reaction: Hole in the Wall: contestants ending up in the pool we knew it was good – just not quite THIS good! Ratings successes around the world include: Hole in the Wall has been sold to 24 coun- tries already. What are the regional differen- Japan on Fuji TV: Since its launch in July 2006 it consistent- ces? ly ranked number one in its time slot. The variety show fea- There are very few differences, and certainly turing Hole in the Wall performed particularly well for young not geographically based on regions. Some ter- adults gaining an average viewing share 40.1 per cent – this ritories strip it daily, others weekly. In some it’s is 176 per cent higher than its nearest competitor. on an hour, some 30 minutes. It’s mainly cele- Indonesia on RCTI: Number one game show in Indonesia brity, although in the US it has ordinary contes- for 2008, outperforming Deal or No Deal and Gong Show. tants. Consistently ranks number one in its time slot surpassing its nearest competitor by 39 per cent. Is the format abroad as popular as in Japan? Yes, it’s more popular. In Japan it’s an occasio- Russia on 1TV: Launched in October 2007 ranking number nal segment in a big variety show. The one in its time slot for young men (16 to 34), 42 per cent FremantleMedia re-working means it’s a neatly ahead of its nearest competitors. A hit with young adults formatted comedy game show. It’s the fastest exceeding the 1TV prime time average by 10 per cent for roll out we’ve ever had and has been re-com- adults aged 16 to 34 and 64 per cent for 4 to 15-year-olds. missioned so far in most of the territories where Argentina on 1TV: Achieved a peak of 32.8 per cent, which it has been broadcast. is 59 per cent above 1TV’s average for the time slot for adults aged 18 to 49. Denmark on TV3+: Achieved a peak of 15.9 per cent, 189 per cent higher than the average time slot for TV3+. France on TMC: Consistently exceeds TMC’s time slot ave- rage across all key demographics, increasing its share by 22 per cent in its first 4 months on air. Attains monthly share up to 57 per cent higher than the usual time slot for all viewers and 65 per cent higher for adults aged 15 to 49.
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RTL Group welcomes European Commission’s decision in the Cisac case RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, is pleased that the European Commission decided that the current system of territorial restrictions in music licensing infringes existing EU competition law. Christian Hauptmann Luxembourg - 16 July 2008
The decision follows RTL Group’s initial com- Christian Hauptmann, Deputy General Counsel plaint with the European Commission, filed of RTL Group: “Today’s decision of the back in November 2000. In its complaint, RTL European Commission provides an opportunity Group argued that the territorial restrictions in to develop a future-proof music licensing sys- the reciprocal agreements between the national tem. It has always been our goal to ensure that collecting societies conflict with the key princi- broadcasters and other mass users of music ple of a European single market: forcing gain access to a multi-territory one-stop shop European broadcasters to only deal with their for the worldwide music repertoire – just as national collecting society prevents any com- record companies have already known for petition – relating to the costs of the adminis- years. A sound competitive environment will trative services – between the different national lead to more efficient administration services collecting societies. and lower transaction costs – and this is also to the benefit of composers, authors and users.”
Background information: In 1999, RTL Group solicited the German collecting society Gema for a multi-territory rights clearance process for the worldwide repertoire – to no avail. In November 2000, RTL Group filed a complaint with the European Commission, arguing that the current practice infringed existing EU competition law.
In January 2006, the European Commission issued a “Statement of Objections” against Cisac (the “International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers”) and its members within the European Economic Area (EEA), finding that the contractual restrictions among European collecting societies infringe EU Competition rules as they prevent compe- tition in rights administration services.
In March 2007, Cisac presented settlement proposals (“Commitments”) to the European Commission. These Commitments were highly complex and rejected by an overwhelming number of industry stakeholders in July 2007.
Broadcasters are the collecting societies’ most important customer group: their payments constitute between 25 to 35 per cent of the total revenue of the EU collecting societies.
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Reveiling the autumn schedule In an interview with the German media magazine DWDL.de, RTL II Programme Director Axel Kühn talked about the continuation of Big Brother, US series, TV shows and documentary soaps. Germany - 11 July 2008
Kühn was visibly pleased with the success of season eight of Big Brother, which has just ended and straight away gave a preview of the next edition of the successful format, which can be seen back on RTL II from December – including Christmas in the Big Brother house. “This is actually what persuaded us to do it” said Kühn. “Christmas and New Year’s Eve in the house, away from your loving relatives and friends. That is simply fascinating.” Apart from the timing of the upcoming season, more chan- ges will be made to the concept as well. “We obviously have new ideas, and will be changing enough to give the format a refreshingly new look, but not straying too far from what has become well-established and made the last season so successful.”
In addition to Big Brother, RTL II has recently increased the amount of US series it shows, and Kühn wants to continue with this concept: “We start in September with Dexter, Californication and the second season of Axel Kühn Heroes. Bionic Woman follows later. Instead we September. “This is a burning issue because are bringing Smallville to prime time. We will addictions are now a topic all over Germany” show the free-to-air TV premiere of the seventh said Kühn. In the autumn there will also be a season on Wednesday right after Heroes.” second season of Willkommen in der Flash Gordon will be straight after that on Nachbarschaft. (Welcome To The Wednesdays. On Monday evening, the channel Neighbourhood) will show Californication and later Dexter, which has to be broadcast after 22:00 to pro- In conclusion Kühn summarises: “RTL II now tect minors. Before the series on Monday, the stands very solidly on several legs – not like a second season of Die Wahrheit und nichts als flamingo balanced solely on US series. The pil- die Wahrheit (The Truth And Nothing But The lars of our success are feature films, drama Truth) will be shown and will include a few series and entertainment supported to a lesser changes. For example, the candidate will sit extent by children’s programmes and informa- alone on the stage and in front of a much big- tion shows. We want to keep this broad base of ger audience. programmes. We’ve got the basics sorted – now we just need some new beacon program- Things are also happening at RTL II in the area mes.” of reality TV. The documentary soap Der Bluff, based on the British format Faking It, is about to start. In addition a new documentary format about people in withdrawal launches in
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Antena 3 to be marketed on Youtube Google and Antena 3 announced last week that they plan to jointly market Antena 3’s YouTube channel, thereby expanding on a contract signed in March 2007. Spain - 14 July 2008
“Youtube and Antena 3 are continuing the joint Since Antena 3 started work we started in 2007. In the future we will be its Youtube channel in able to place advertising so as to safeguard the March 2007, the channel’s finances and offer more services to content has received users,” says Giorgio Sbampato, General over 35 million views. Manager of A3 Multimedia. youtube.com/ antena3 Maria Ferreras, strategic partnerships manager at Youtube, says: “We are pleased to have found, in Antena 3, a suitable partner in Spain. The channel’s content is an enrichment for the Youtube community. In future, it will be easier to interact with users and try out new formats. This will strengthen Antena 3’s presence on the web and open up new ways to generate reve- nue.”
www.youtube.com/antena3
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Jean-Claude Juncker live on RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg Last Saturday, the Prime Minister of the Grand- Duchy of Luxembourg was interviewed by Marco Goetz on the topic of “The place of Luxembourg in Europe today” in the weekly programme Background am Gespréich. Jean-Claude Juncker Luxembourg - 15 July 2008
Even if the Grand Duchy is not big by its size, it has, however, played a major role in the construction of the European Union, being one of the six signatory founder members of the Paris treaty back in 1951. As a major custodian of this part of history, Jean-Claude Juncker is recognized both on the national and European political stages, notably for his remarkable contribution to the establishment of the treaty of Maastricht and for the efforts he initiated to build a more social and eco-friendly Europe.
On the airwaves of RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg, Jean-Claude Juncker talked about the high price of the barrel of oil and admitted to be “disgusted” by the current Stock Exchange speculations on the food markets. For Luxembourg’s Prime Minister, it is important that Member States form an alliance to engage in joint action “against such unreasonable and immoral speculation.”
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Quality portal for women: Frauenzimmer.de ‘Everything women need’ is the slogan of RTL Interactive and Vox’s new comprehensive online offer for female audiences. Corinna Teuner Germany - 11 July 2008
Since last week, women (and men!) can find Matthias Büchs, Head of RTL Online at RTL out what’s going on in the world and have fun Interactive, says about the online strategy: “We at www.frauenzimmer.de, which offers every- will continue to invest in the development of thing from current events to celebrity news, portals for specific target groups in order to entertainment and services. Amusing features expand our reach on the net. This is the start of such as a virtual handbag that woman can take another new premium offer within weeks of everywhere with them, special women’s wea- launching Kochbar.de.” Alongside gzsz.de for ther, and before and after images from hair the very young female target group and vip.de salons give the site its special charm. (celebrity news), Frauenzimmer.de further enhances RTL Interactive’s portfolio of online The Frauenzimmer.de editorial team place a sites for women. particular priority on diversity in their offerings. Editorial Director Corinna Teuner, 38: “For The marketers at IP Deutschland are offering a example, women won’t have any problem fin- wide range of advertising options on ding the day’s news on our site. We want to Frauenzimmer.de. In addition to various exclu- know what’s happening in the world. Though sive placements such as event bookings on the lifestyle, children and cooking are topics, they homepage or sponsorship opportunities for aren’t the only topics.” women-oriented features, it is also possible to book video ads or standard advertising mate- rial.
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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen presents Britain’s best homes & gardens Five has secured presenter and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to front I Own Britain’s Best Home & Garden. This four-part series, to be screened later this year, follows Five’s successful series I Own Britain’s Best Home. United Kingdom - 11 July 2008
Laurence and a panel of esteemed green-finge- red experts will be scrutinising 12 of the coun- try’s most extraordinary gardens, the winner receiving one of the most prestigious horticul- tural accolades – the National Gardens Scheme Gold Medal Award.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said: “The thing that delights me most about presenting is the fact that I’m spending time in the midst of something the British have always done incre- dibly well. Finding Britain’s best garden is a very high bar because as a nation it seems we’re just so darn good at it.”
In each episode, four gardens will be explored by the judges. Before the judges deliberate, Laurence will spend a day experiencing life at each featured home and garden and will get to the heart of the owner’s story and how they have created their own personal paradise. The gardens are then handed over to the mercy of the three judges – straight-talking garden jour- Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen nalist Anne Wareham, esteemed RHS Chelsea judge and medal winner Mark Gregory and Laetitia Maklouf, author of The Virgin Gardener. Each episode will also provide the viewer with the chance to re-create the designs at home, by following the information and take-out tips provided.
Five’s Head of Features, Alex Menzies, said: “After the success of I Own Britain’s Best Home, it is exciting to be able to extend the franchise into gardens and I can think of no- one better than Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to guide viewers through the series.”
I Own Britain’s Best Home & Garden is a Talkback Thames production for Five.
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The FIFA World Cup 2010 on RTL Television The Cologne-based channel presents up to 18 games from South Africa.
Germany - 15 July 2008
RTL Television will exclusively broadcast up to 18 matches from the FIFA World Cup 2010 on RTL Sport Director Manfred Loppe: “South German free-to-air TV. After successful nego- Africa is going to be one of the biggest football tiations with Premiere, nine top games are cur- adventures for all concerned. We are very rently guaranteed – six preliminary round mat- happy to be at this major sporting event and to ches, two games in the Round of 16 and a be allowed to play our part in making the FIFA quarterfinal match. RTL Television has the World Cup 2010 another unforgettable football option rights for nine more games. The TV experience.” contract also gives exclusive broadcasting rights for 18 games in the Austrian transmission area. The deal ensures RTL Television is staying on the ball for its audience during the first World Cup on the African continent, following their successful coverage of the 2006 World Cup.
Anke Schäferkordt, CEO of RTL Television: “We are delighted to have secured this World Cup package. The football euphoria in our country during the European Championships has shown the enormous importance of football for the viewers. Great sport, with Formula 1, major boxing matches, the 2009 Handball World Cup and the FIFA World Cup 2010, also has a firm place in RTL Television’s future programming.”
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A wonderful day on Experience Island The programme Expeditie Robinson (RTL 5) has already been a hit for 10 years, amassing a large following of faithful fans. At the same time, many Dutch and Belgian viewers would be really curious to find out how they would cope on an unin- habited island. The Netherlands - 16 July 2008
Many viewers would like to be on an inha- bited island themselves – this much is clear from the vast number of applica- tions (8,000) for the programme. But how would the would-be contestants www.rtl.nl/reality/ manage to deal with the hunger, heat and ruthless ‘fight to the death’? On 6 expeditierobinson and 7 September, RTL Nederland is organising an event to oblige these bud- ding adventurers, hosting its major Expeditie Robinson Event on Experience Island, in Loon op Zand in the Netherlands, where visitors will be given an opportunity to take part in various games taken from the pro- gramme and win two wild cards for the 2009 edition of Expeditie Robinson.
Of course, on Experience Island they will not face the heat or hunger or be on an uninhabited island, but the programme’s adventurous fans will definitely have a chance to taste the atmos- phere of Expeditie Robinson. Action, adventure and excitement are important ingredients of the programme and thus also key elements in the event. In addition to the games taken from the popular real-life series, such as the assault course, the balance challenge on the water and endurance tests, visitors can experience activi- ties such as jet skiing, climbing, diving, and so on. Less active fans will be just as welcome on the island, too, spending a great day relaxing in a hammock, enjoying a BBQ, fishing or just fro- licking on the beach.
Both days will end with music, because after a busy, active day there can be nothing better than winding down with a relaxed meal and a drink whilst listening to some great music, which will be provided by the DJs from Boemklatch and the band Leaf (on 7 September).
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Talent show stars storm the charts Thomas Godoj entered the charts at number one with his debut album Plan A! Fady Malouf conquered second place in the singles charts and Paul Potts also has a hit. Thomas Godoj Germany / United Kingdom - 17 July 2008
Thomas, winner of the fifth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar, shot to the top of the album charts with his first album Plan A! In addition to the winning song Love Is You and a rock version of the Beatles classic Let It Be, Plan A! also includes songs written by Thomas himself. The album has already gone gold on its chart entry with over 100,000 albums sold in Germany. Thomas’ debut album knocked Coldplay off the top.
And his competitor in the final Fady Malouf celebrates his first chart success: his song Blessed went to number two in the single charts. His album will be out on 25 July 2008.
Paul Potts, winner of the TV show Britain’s Got Fdy Malouf Talent in 2007, can currently be seen in a Deutsche Telekom advert and has now won the German public over with his version of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma. Although the song is only available as a digital download, he is at number 12 in the German singles charts, while his album One Chance is at 16 in the album charts.
Paul Potts
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Tireless sporting efforts for a good cause Actress Michaela Schaffrath, Unter uns star Kai Noll, singer and extreme sportsman Joey Kelly and RTL Charity Director Wolfram Kons battled wind and weather at the 2nd ‘Beneflizz’ charity bike marathon. Germany - 16 July 2008
They had to cope with a course of around 80 EUR 40,000 were raised from the participants’ kilometres and several hundred meters in altitu- starting fees and from further donations to the de last weekend in the Roth district of RTL Spendenmarathon. ‘Beneflizz’ organiser Franconia. Despite the prolonged rain the cele- Hubert Schwarz took part in the tour, of course, brities pedalled their way strongly around the and presented the donation cheque to Wolfram original triathlon bike course for a good cause. Kons. “It is a great experience to see that so Michaela Schaffrath pluckily joined the male many people came here to get involved for celebrities: “Although I’ve got an aquarium in needy children and completing a really exhaus- my shoes, I never give in!” After nearly six hours ting bike tour. Thanks to Renate and Hubert all the VIP cyclists reached their goal. Schwarz, to his great team and, of course, to everyone who donated and cycled with us” said Kons.
Wolfram Kons climbs Kilimanjaro for children Above the clouds, RTL Charity Director Wolfram Kons experiences the hardest, coldest and highest cheque presentation of RTL Spendenmarathon’s 12-year history. Spendenmarathon logo Germany - 17 July 2008
Together with experienced extreme sports After four days the group reached the summit world record holder Hubert Schwarz and bathed in radiant dawn sunshine. Ingolf Winter Prowin founder Ingolf Winter, the RTL presenter presented Prowin’s EUR 50,000 cheque next to resolved to climb the world’s highest stand- the Kilimanjaro summit marker, the highest alone mountain (5,895 metres) via the tough point in Africa. The main focus of aid for the Machame route. Wolfram Kons: “Prowin promi- 2008 telethon is projects in Germany and sed the RTL Spendenmarathon EUR 50,000 if I Africa. The EUR 50,000 will also fund a school made it all the way to the top. We tried it for the project in Arusha, which will give the children of first time two years ago, but failed because of Tanzanian Kilimanjaro mountain guides and the terrible weather. But it’s like helping chil- porters an education. dren: You’ve got to stick at it and in the end you’ll get there.”
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France’s First Lady on Bel RTL To mark the release of her third album, Comme si de rien n’était (As if nothing had happened), Carla Bruni gave a long interview to Anthony Martin which was broadcast in full on Bel RTL last Friday. Carla Bruni Belgique - 17 July 2008
This interview is 30 minutes of a laid back Regarding her dual role as an artist and conversation during which no subject was off France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni assesses this limits, interspersed with extracts from the new from a certain distance: “violent reactions are 60s sounding, blues and folk inspired album. to be expected, I think it’s quite normal that While 80 per cent of the album was written people don’t necessarily separate my function before the singer married the French President, and my work as an artist (…) of course that much has changed since then and Carla Bruni hurts but I can’t stand feeling sorry for myself”. the artist has now become Carla Bruni, After discussing the importance of freedom for France’s First Lady. an artist, the interview ended with an exclusive for Bel RTL listeners: in response to a surprise Anthony Martin dealt at length with this impro- request from Anthony Martin, Carla Bruni bable change. He began by summarising the picked up her guitar and played “the first song album as the work of a woman in love, which to come into my head”, a song by Bob Dylan, Carla Bruni immediately confirmed: “I’m obses- her favourite artist. sed by love; love as an antidote to time and the impression we sometimes have of existence as a non-feeling”. Carla Bruni doesn’t refute a cer- tain “mischievousness” in the writing of her lyrics texts because, as she says, “I don’t take my songs too seriously”.
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Celebrating ‘les Bleus’ To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the victory of Zidane and ‘Les Bleus’ in 1998, RTL Radio France had mobilized its editorial staff for a big special evening show, that was broadcast live from the Stade de France on Saturday 12 July from 19:00 to 23:00. France - 11 July 2008
Victory on points for RTL Television On saturday evening, the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tony Thompson boxing match at the Color Line Arena in Hamburg attracted more than 9 million TV viewers. In addition, numerous TV channels used RTL Television’s images from the match. Germany - 14 July 2008
Industrial series production in the Land of Ideas On 11 July, students at the School of Design Thinking of the Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam joined their project partner Grundy UFA in presenting prototypal ‘Smartcards’ designed to improve the workflow for authors of daily soaps. Germany - 14 July 2008
Das Wunder von Berlin at the Montreal World Film Festival The Teamworx production Das Wunder von Berlin has been selected for inclusion in the “World Greats” category for the Montreal World Film Festival 2008. Germany - 15 July 2008
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Yu-Gi-Oh! GX on the internet for free RTL II is offering its anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! GX on the website of its youth programme Pokito. Since last Friday, the episodes from the first two seasons have been available for free. Germany - 15 July 2008
Shooting starts on Summertime Blues On 8 July, shooting started on Summertime Blues. The film goes on release in German cinemas next year through Universum Film. Germany - 16 July 2008
“Stars for Free” The Berlin radio station 104.6 RTL Radio invites listeners for the 12th time to the city’s most spectacular open-air concert, that will take place on 6 September. Germany - 16 July 2008
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People Detlef Sold leaves Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland Detlef Sold Germany - 14 July 2008
Detlef Sold, 46, has decided to leave Anke Schäferkordt, CEO of RTL Television, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and resign says: “I respect Detlef Sold’s decision to explo- from his position as head of production at RTL re new paths once RTL Television discontinues Television. its production activities. I thank him explicitly for his long years of performance in the The media executive will leave RTL Television Production & Technology department at and for when production is shut down at the Aachener RTL Television. At the same time, I am pleased Straße site in Cologne, by the end of 2009 at that Detlef Sold has agreed to continue super- the latest. He will no longer be with the compa- vising our channel’s production until RTL ny when Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s Television finishes moving. I wish him the best broadcasting centre in Cologne-Deutz, opera- of success with his new plans.” ted by CBC, takes up operation. As head of production, Detlef Sold has supervi- Detlef Sold: “After many years in RTL sed the studio production for current news and Television’s production and technology depart- magazine formats, as well as post-production ments, I am now determined to explore new units and various technical services including paths in my professional life. However, I will Disposition, Video Service Center and the pro- continue to be fully available to RTL Television gramme archives at RTL since April 2001. until production at the Aachener Straße loca- tion shuts down, and will continue to handle my assignment with my team as reliably as ever, including the difficult tasks before and during Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s move to Cologne-Deutz.”
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