29 April 2010

week 17

Make a difference ! How raised USD 45 million on one evening

+ EUR 9 MILLION

Netherlands France Bert Habets on steering M6 introduces voting RTL Nederland via TV-set

Germany / Denmark IP Deutschland cartographs FremantleMedia acquires German living rooms Blu week 17 the RTL Group intranet

29 April 2010

week 17

Cover: and during the Idol Gives Back show

Make a difference ! How Idol Gives Back raised USD 45 million 2 on one evening

+ EUR 9 MILLION

Netherlands France Bert Habets on steering M6 introduces voting RTL Nederland via TV-set

Germany United Kingdom / Denmark IP Deutschland cartographs FremantleMedia acquires German living rooms Blu week 17 the RTL Group intranet

Entertainment, competition, charity After a year-long absence, Idol Gives Back returned to screens last week and raised USD 45 million. In Backstage, Cecile Frot-Coutaz explains the concept and planning behind the event, as well as convincing the stars − and even the US President. Elton John performing during the Idol Gives Back show - 29 April 2010

“I am giving back. Are you?” − That was the give makes a difference for those in need,” message sent out by countless celebrities to Michelle Obama said. President promote one of the biggest charity events in the added: “We want to thank for the US. After a one-year absence, Idol Gives Back example they’re setting and encourage every- once again rose into action to collect donations one watching to make a contribution!“ to help people in need on 21 April. Like in the first year, the charity event was broadcast as part of This year, Idol Gives Back was broadcast live an American Idol results show. from two venues, the American Idol stage and The Pasadena Civic Auditorium where Queen “We did the first instalment three years ago and Latifah emceed the evening. “I think a second the second one two years ago and we did them venue helps us in terms of the performers,” in two different ways. The first time we did an Cecile Frot-Coutaz states. “It helps cope with extended results show, which is what we did the set-up times, especially if somebody has a this year. The second time, we did a separate big band or a choir or other big requirements episode. But we found that it worked better for in the set-up.” Organising such a big event is us to do an extended results show and to make no small feat – especially when broadcasting it more organic to American Idol than to make it a from two venues at the same time. “It’s a huge separate show. It’s a blend of entertainment and undertaking, especially when at the same time actual Idol competition,” explains Cecile Frot- you’re doing the main television show,” Cecile Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America Frot-Coutaz says. “We started discussing this and Executive Producer of American Idol. last summer, started talking about what time of the season we would do it, the charities, the The show opened with a message from Presi- principles of it. And then the preparation process dent Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle really heats up in autumn.” Obama at the White House. “Every Dollar you

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Idol judge , Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi, Fox President of Alternative Programming Mike Darnell, Fox Networks Group Chairman Peter Rice, Idol judge and American Idol Creator (from left to right) 3 week 17 the RTL Group intranet

Some of music’s biggest stars, including Sir Elton John, , , The , , & and Mary J. Blige & the All-Star Band, performed on Wednesday’s show. “Idol Gives Back is one of the events that most peo- ple are actually honoured to be part of,” Cecile Frot-Coutaz says happily. “Elton John has been incredibly gracious about taking part, which is really exciting for us.”

Apart from performances, Idol Gives Back features appeal films starring former , cast members and celebrities who have gone to Africa or poor parts of the US. “The films are incredibly powerful,” Cecile Frot-Coutaz says. “And they really build awareness for some of these causes. Until you actually see the celebrities going to these places, you don’t always realize what sort of poverty is out there, right here in the US.” Before the curtain closed on Idol Gives Back, American Idol judge Simon Cowell announced the sum donated during the broadcast alone: USD 15 million. By the end of the week, Idol Gives Back had raised almost USD 45 million. In Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas on stage such a tough economy, this is a huge sum – es- pecially in view of the fact that the financial crisis is not over yet. Donations will continue to be Idol Gives Back is the brainchild of American accepted via the Internet at AmericanIdol.com Idol creator and Executive Producer Simon and by telephone. “Once again, I am over over- Fuller. The organisation began as a whelmed by the generosity of the American Idol meaningful way for those behind American Idol to give back in a significant way to children’s viewers, our sponsors and our special benefac- causes throughout the world. Idol Gives Back tors. I am so thankful to all of the celebrity guests was successfully launched as a charity and performers who appeared Wednesday night event in 2007, and has since grown into to support Idol Gives Back,” said Simon Fuller, a foundation composed of creator of American Idol. Still to be added to the Ltd., and FremantleMedia North America. So far, extraordinary total, the iTunes Store will donate Idol Gives Back has raised more net proceeds from sales of the Top 7 finalist per- than USD 185 million for charity. formances to Idol Gives Back. In addition, select guest performances from Wednesday’s charity show will also be featured in the iTunes Store. Given the current economic situation, this year’s charities will focus more on US projects, as Frot- Coutaz explains. “Historically, we’ve sent 50 per cent to Africa and 50 per cent to domestic charities. This year, donations are a bit more weighted toward domestic causes because we feel it is an American show. It has been a very, very tough couple of years in this country and that it’s only fair that we focus on US causes as well as some big international causes. So that’s the overall premise.”

“We will absolutely do this again, but I can’t say that it will be in two years,” she added, looking ahead. “It’s one of those things that we have yet to decide. We don’t have a big strategic plan in terms of doing this, say, every two years.” US president Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama thanked everyone donating 4 week 17 the RTL Group intranet

The Children’s Health Fund www.childrenshealthfund.org Founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Si- mon and pediatrician/advocate Irwin Redlener, MD, Children’s Health Fund (CHF) is a provider of mobile-based paediatric health care for home- less and low-income children and their families. CHF’s mission is to bring health care directly to those in need through the development and support of innovative medical programmes, re- sponse to public health crises, and the promo- tion of guaranteed access to health care for all children.

Last year’s winner David Cook visited Ethiopia to support Feeding America the United Nations programme “Biruh Tesfa” www.feedingamerica.org Feeding America provides low-income individu- als and families with the fuel to survive let alone thrive. As hunger-relief charity, its network mem- bers supply food to more than 37 million Ameri- cans each year, including 14 million children and 3 million seniors.

Malaria No More www.malarianomore.org Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa. Every 30 seconds, a child in Africa dies of this preventable and treatable dis- ease, while a simple mosquito net can save lives. Through the support of Idol Gives Back, Malaria No More has helped millions of families in Afri- and ... ca protect themselves from malaria in Uganda, Zambia, Angola, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Save the Children www.savethechildren.org Save the Children is an independent organiza- tion creating real and lasting change for chil- dren in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children’s US Programmes focus on underserved rural areas, where one in five children live in poverty. Partnering with schools and community organizations, Save the Children provides high-quality early childhood education services for children from birth to age five as well as literacy, physical activity and nu- trition programmes for children in kindergarten through eighth grade, benefiting over 52,000 children nationwide.

United Nations Foundation www.unfoundation.org The United Nations Foundation, a public char- ... American Idol jury member Randy Jackson (lower right) ity, was created in 1998 with the entrepreneur/ visited a Save The Children programme in Bolivar County philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic USD 1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation is an advocate for the UN and a plat- form for connecting people, ideas, and resources to help the United Visit Nations solve global problems. IdolGivesBack. com

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Committed to responsibility Each year RTL Group companies make a significant contribution to the global fight against poverty, disease and pollution. This year – again – a handy brochure explains how and why. Luxembourg - 28 April 2010

“With the popularity of television comes a great Balanced and independent news coverage is not responsibility, and RTL Group is committed to only daily business for RTL Group’s TV channels making the most of its international platform. We and radio stations, but also part of their social firmly believe in the importance of broadcasting responsibility. Throughout 2009, RTL Television positive and supportive messages through the in Germany offered extensive coverage on the programmes we output,” says Gerhard Zeiler, German federal elections, and its news shows CEO of RTL Group, in the opening editorial. like RTL Aktuell or RTL Nachtjournal were also the most popular news programmes among This year, the brochure focuses on four as- viewers aged 14 to 49. RTL Radio in France has pects – raising funds to help people in need, a strong tradition of hosting leading politicians raising awareness for social issues and solving for key interviews. problems, independent news coverage and environmental protection – and describes In terms of environmental protection, the how RTL Group companies support projects brochure explains RTL Group’s carbon footprint all around the globe, especially those where measurement and how its companies have children are involved. agreed to reduce their carbon emissions by 20 per cent by 2020. Also, several channels People within RTL Group raise significant promote environmental topics in their amounts of money each year. Just a few days programmes, such as RTL Radio France with its after the devastating earthquake in Haiti in famous L’Expédition RTL. January 2010, RTL Group companies all around Europe helped to collect more than “RTL Group cares. Our programmes and brands EUR 45 million to help. Furthermore the raise awareness and solve problems big way. new edition of How RTL Group pays back to This brochure gives a quick overview on those society describes how different charities like the activities,” explains Oliver Herrgesell, Executive RTL Spendenmarathon or Télévie not only raise Vice President Corporate Communications and money but also ensure that this money helps Marketing. those in need. RTL Group is committed not only to raising funds for charity, but also to build- The new edition of the brochure How ing awareness for social topics such as pov- RTL Group pays back to society is available on erty or diversity and tolerance. Additionally, profit RTLGroup.com. Printed copies can be found centres offer help directly with initiatives such at the Reception of RTL Group’s Corporate as RTL Radio’s Journée RTL emploi, the new Centre in Luxembourg or ordered via the Order Fondation M6 helping prisoners with reintegra- Documents form on the website. tion into society and RTL ’s RTL Positif spreading positive news and advice in times of economic crisis. 6 week 17 the RTL Group intranet

Talking Business: Bert Habets RTL Nederland’s CEO about doing business in a country that is remarkably innovative when it comes to TV. Bert Habets Netherlands - 28 April 2010

RTL Nederland CEO Bert Habets talked prepare it for the future. When the crisis began about what makes the Dutch TV market so to emerge, we immediately formed cross-depart- special, the state of his business, and about mental task forces, which drew up clear opera- the broadcasting and production group. tion guidelines and then put them into action just as clearly. These meetings were all about action, Mr. Habets, you have stood at the helm of not talk. RTL Nederland for a little over two years now – can you give us your personal stocktaking? Did this joint tour de force succeed? What important strategic decisions have you In every respect. On the one hand we improved made in the past two years? our core businesses on a much-diminished The most important thing that all of us here have cost base. And on the other, we prepared and achieved together is a whole new understanding initiated new business. Any way you look at of the necessity of teamwork and cooperation. the crisis – it never gave us a grace period in By this I mean cooperation between the various which to catch our breath. Media continues to channels, between the channels and produ- develop at a breakneck pace, and there is no ction companies, between TV, Radio and Digital, time to be lost, especially in the area of digitiza- as well as between programming and sales. In tion. For this reason, we launched important new short between all units and departments. The initiatives and businesses last year, including Group’s 20-year shared history provided an our first digital channel RTL Lounge, the gaming excellent basis for this. We’ve always felt that we portal Spelsalon.nl, and we renewed our catch- are one company even with several channels. up TV (time-delayed viewing). Our portfolio mix But it wasn’t until the advertising and economic is becoming ever broader and more attractive, crisis hit that we realized what an invaluable and that is our competitive edge for the future. and very tangible advantage close networking represents for all sides … What strategy is RTL Nederland pursuing for this future? What do you think your company Most of your time in office has been spent should look like in ten or 15 years? under the shadow of this crisis. In our fast-paced business, decades are too vast That is true. But the crisis, or rather our deter- a period, I prefer to think in two- or three-year mined struggle against it, has also moved and cycles. And here, we first have to see whether accomplished a lot. I have never – including we can cross off the crisis for good. It took hold during my years as CFO – witnessed such in the Netherlands later than in other countries, dedication and such commitment from all and we still can’t predict when consumer confi- colleagues as last year. Everyone here gave dence will rise again. Until then, less spending their all – despite or perhaps because of the means less advertising – and that is bad for us. difficult situation – to bring RTL Nederland The implications are that we will have to keep through the crisis, strengthen the company, and our eye on costs on the one hand, and on the

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other will develop new businesses, partly in general – not just at RTL – is very innovative order to achieve greater independence from the in the Netherlands. The advance of advertising economy through diversification. formats like Big Brother in the 1990s is just one example. There are entire genres that grew from everyday topics into big trends in Holland like cooking or do-it-yourself shows. By the same token, many producers pick the Netherlands to test new formats.

Do you have an explanation for this? Perhaps it’s the cultural diversity of the Nether- lands, coupled with the people’s openness and appetite for innovation, that puts us one step ahead here at times. In any case it’s a great environment for TV-making.

Bert Habets … and Radio. Though as number one in the Netherlands Radio 538 is the country’s number one and a you are a crucial step ahead of the competi- really strong brand, especially among younger tion. people. It’s an important complement to our That is true, but size alone isn’t everything. It portfolio, more important than we originally is much more important that we have a mix of expected. And this is about far more than TV, radio and digital offerings that is unique in cross-promotion between the two media. the Netherlands. Being able to offer all these At this point, our TV channels – especially channels and the content for them from a single RTL 5 with its young target audience – are source is what makes us strong. In this way, we developing new programmes with Radio 538, can on the one hand offer advertisers custom- or hosting major live events like “Queen’s tailored all-in-one packages. We recently set up Day” with 300,000 visitors right in the heart of a separate unit, RTL Concepts, to do just that. Amsterdam. But we also pull together in the In cooperation with our sales department of digital field. course. And on the other it allows us to put our strategic maxim into action: to be an In mentioning RTL 5, you brought up the entertainment company that develops a broad target group focus that you have very range of content and follows viewers onto every resolutely put into action for every platform they choose. RTL Nederland station. What’s your “division of labor” within the family of channels? And what platforms do you think these will Alongside our flagship RTL 4 as our main be in the future? channel for the whole family, we cater to young Platforms like the NET TV and iPad are like small viewers with RTL 5 and a predominantly male revolutions in our business. The latter could audience with RTL 7, while RTL 8 is targeted become an additional mobile TV set in people’s more at women. Usually it’s obvious what homes. Immediately after they went on sale, format appeals to which target audience and we procured four iPads from the US. For us the therefore what channel it belongs with. Only in task at hand is to make sure that RTL Nederland exceptional cases do we have to make a deci- is as well prepared as possible to bring news, sion that involves several channels. And that information and entertainment – our core works smoothly as well. Overall, the “family of competencies that is – on every new relevant channels” structure has more than proven its platform. The iPad is one of them, but we also worth. All of the channels in the family have a continue to develop content for other mobile clear profile, and the viewers know what to platforms. expect. Naturally, this predictability is an advantage for advertising customers as well. That may well make you the trendsetter once more in a country and a market that Apart from this, how important is networking are regarded as especially innovative in the at the next higher level, within RTL Group? worldwide TV industry. Does Dutch televi- It is becoming ever more important. It goes sion actually deserve this good reputation? without saying that we maintain close and History has shown that the TV business in excellent relations to FremantleMedia’s

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production companies – in the Netherlands, that’s Blue Circle. They create strong programmes for us such as X Factor, RTL Boul- evard and Take Me Out. But the need for and extent of networking and exchange between the Group’s channels in the various European countries is also rising. Contacts, once established, are carefully cultivated and become a resilient network. In this way, one learns from the experience of others, and we avoid reinvent- ing the wheel or making the same mistake twice. This quick sharing of Best Practice is a benefit Bert Habets that all RTL Group companies can leverage to tial part of my DNA as well. But I learned early their advantage. on to open my mind to the creative side of this exciting business. When I first began my career In what direction do you see Dutch TV at a Dutch investment bank, I was in charge of content developing in the years ahead? film funding. At the time, the important thing was Here, too, the economic and financial crisis to always strike the right balance between a has left its mark, and I think its effects will creative idea and the business side of things. continue to be felt for some time yet. First of all, TV Basically, that’s still the way it is today. consumption increased last year. Many viewers Together with my team, as the country’s turned to television either for information or for a biggest commercial broadcaster, we keep more positive alternative reality. As a result, the striving to strike this balance in our demand for news has risen, as has the desire for programming. entertainment, comedy and humor. We catered to both and will continue to do so – as I firmly How much risk does this involve? believe this trend is here to stay. So for example You never know how good the ratings for a new besides our newscasts on RTL 4, our daytime format will be. It’s the same thing all over again, programming from 9:00. to 18:00 on RTL 7 every time. You watch it in the evening, are happy is modeled as a business news channel and with it, then stare spellbound at your smartphone focusing on information, we also very the next morning, waiting for the ratings to come successfully launched new entertainment in. At 7:30 we know whether the news is good shows, especially on the weekend. X-Factor on or bad. Fortunately, at RTL Nederland the news Friday, for instance, or the Saturday evening is much more often good than bad. And that is show Ik hou van Holland or So You Think You no coincidence: Our recipe for success is quality. Can Dance on RTL 5. Alongside this “escape” Everyone knows that they must give their all for to a better world on TV, there is another trend in every format, teasing out the maximum possible. content, namely towards all topics having to In the end, it’s quality that counts for the viewers. do with improving one’s quality of life. Whether these are lifestyle, cooking or interior decoration (BeNet) shows, do-it-yourself guides, relationships or financial advice – viewers want to know what they can do in order to live better. We supply that help in a manner that is both appealing and innovative.

Hearing you talk with such enthusiasm about your shows and programming, there is very little to remind one of the “lord of number- crunchers” you used to be as CFO of RTL Nederland. Have you changed – or has RTL changed with regard to the role and importance of having the right figures and results? I think that I’ve arrived at a healthy mix. Anyone who’s ever been CFO will always keep an eye on the figures. This financial gene is an essen-

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Television: At the heart of the living room The 7th TV Effectiveness Day was held under the heading “Television – An Everyday, Almighty Phenomenon”. A cartography of German living rooms provided particularly interesting insights into viewer behaviour. In a representative survey, more than 1,100 living rooms were measured Germany - 23 April 2010

Average daily viewing time is increasing steadily After Tess Alps, CEO of the commercial TV all over Europe. In Germany alone people watch marketing body Thinkbox, had welcomed an average of 226 minutes per day. Put into the audience in near-perfect German, she context, this figure becomes even more presented a British study that looked into the impressive. TV consumption is exceeded only possibilities of back channels for television. by sleep – so an average German spends more Online, click-through rates let advertisers know time watching TV than working. whether their ad is working or not – although Alps was careful to point out that “accountability, 98 per cent of German households own at least or better countability, is not the same as effec- one TV set, and 90 per cent of TV use takes tiveness.” On television, such direct feedback place in the living room. Against this backdrop, is not possible – so Thinkbox set out to find a IP Deutschland commissioned the opinion way to gauge the interest of viewers, and hit researchers at TNS Emnid to take a closer look upon monitoring search engines. Apparently, at German living rooms. In a representative the number of online searches rises sharply survey, more than 1,100 living rooms were after a TV spot is aired. At the same time it turns measured to arrive at a profile of people’s out most Internet users watch TV at the same in-home “TV experience”. The results show that time in the evenings. Alps therefore concludes TV continues to be pervasive and formative in that it would make sense to place much more people’s everyday lives, clear across all target of an emphasis on contact options involving the groups. But Germans make mistakes when Internet– especially because on average, more it comes to setting up their TV set: “Hardly requests are received online than by phone. anyone has the ideal distance to the screen. On average Germans sit too far away or the TV The Swiss neurologist Werner Fuchs spoke set is too small,” Hartmut Scheffler, Managing about good storytelling and how stories are Director of TNS Emnid, told the more than 1,000 processed by the brain. His message: commer- visitors who attended TV Effectiveness Day. And cials that tell a good story are more effective. The all the evidence indicates that the living room will important thing is to cater to people’s essential continue to be the TV room in the future. Another needs. Topics that allude to experiences in early interesting fact: “When people are watching childhood or puberty are particularly effective, as their favourite show, the TV is on and nothing these memories are especially strong. else – even among young audiences,” Scheffler reported. “Only 5 per cent indicate that they use Christian Scheier of the Swiss marketing the Internet at the same time.” consultancy Decode showed how an ad’s setting – for example the programme being shown and the channel brand – can influence the effectiveness of a TV spot. “If the setting and the brand pro- file are a good match, this really boosts effectiveness,” so said Scheier.

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Andrea Scharrenbroch of the GfK Society for different receiving devices - media centres on the Consumer Research and Gerald Neumüller Internet, IP-TV, TV dongles for computers, from the airtime marketing agency SevenOne Hybrid TV and mobile devices. At the same Media presented a new study that for the first time there will be new presentation formats: time examined the long-term effectiveness of traditional television, catch-up TV, catch-up TV TV campaigns. Companies that were able to with changed content and finally, excerpts. “One capture new market share had focused on TV might say that linear television gives rise to and campaigns while those who lost market share sustains new platforms,” as Ruckert put it. Tess had reduced their TV budget and relied on Alps is in absolute agreement: “TV is not dead. pricing campaigns instead. The survey also It’s just having babies.“ indicated that long-term success hinges on customer loyalty. TV campaigns increase the After the presentations, the speakers invited share of loyal customers. “Cutting TV campaigns people to discuss the various topics with them in in favour of pricing campaigns is disastrous,” working sessions. This opportunity to enter into Neumüller concluded. direct dialogue with the presenters gave rise to a number of animated discussions. In the last speech at the event, Florian Ruckert, Chairman of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft The TV Effectiveness Day is jointly operated Fernsehforschung (TV Research Syndicate), by the airtime marketing agencies looked ahead to the future. “Television will IP Deutschland, SevenOne Media, ARD- remain the lead media,” Ruckert said. “But Werbung, El Cartel Media, Viacom Brand it will also become more and more diversi- Solutions, Discovery Networks Deutschland and fied.” For one, in future there will be more and Tele 5.

Tess Alps, Hartmut Scheffer, Christian Scheier, Werner Fuchs, Andrea Scharrenbroch, Roland Schmidt (GEK) and Uwe Lehmann (Nielsen) visit Wirkstoff.TV

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From children’s channel to cross-media brand Super RTL 15 is now 15 years old – and invited all viewers to join in its all-day celebration. Germany - 28 April 2010

Celebrating 15 years of Super RTL with a gigantic cake

To get birthday guests in a celebratory mood, the clique. The beloved preschool Super RTL aired a day of programming full of characters Bob The Builder and Thomas The stars and surprises, including a fan show with Tank Engine & have been given a new Gomez, new episodes of Disney’s contemporary look for 2010. Super RTL also has Hannah Montana, the start of Disney’s Jonas two strong productions of its own in its program- – The Series and the movie highlight Prinzess- ming: D.I.E. – Detektive im Einsatz (Detectives innen Schutzprogramm (The Princess Protec- in Action) and Katrin und die Welt der tion Program), also a Disney production. Tiere (Katrin and the Animal King- dom). In autumn, the new music 15 years ago, Super RTL was founded by show Teenage Rockstar gives five RTL Group and the Walt Disney Company, who musicians aged 8 to 18 years an each own a 50 per cent stake in the company. opportunity to make their dream From the beginning, the channel’s program- of their own rock band come Watch an interview ming has catered to the needs of children and true. with Claude Schmit on families and quickly became established as the Backstage children’s favourite channel: Super RTL has led Once a pure-play TV channel, the market among 3- to 13-year-old audiences Super RTL has since developed since February 1998. into a children’s entertainment brand spanning several media. Super RTL As the market leader in children’s television, currently operates more than ten websites, Super RTL is aware of its special responsibility including the two popular paid children’s portals to society and initiates or supports numerous Toggolino Club and Toggo CleverClub, and campaigns, among other things to promote Toni.de, Germany’s biggest download portal media skills among primary-school pupils for children’s audiobooks. Toggo.de is the most (Media Smart e.V., FragFinn e.V.) and prevent heavily trafficked children’s website in Germany, obesity among children and teens. and Zaga.de, a new games portal for children and teens, launched at the beginning of the Super RTL is well equipped for the future across year. Also since the beginning of 2010, the all media platforms. Before the year is out, new online learning platform Scoyo rounds out the episodes will be shown of Disney’s popular paid-content offerings. live-action formats: in addition to the , skaters Zeke & Luther will enhance 12 week 17 the RTL Group intranet

Voting on TV via ADSL M6 launches live interactive voting on the show using the TV remote control and SFR neufbox. France - 23 April 2010

For the 2010 season, along with voting by This new service, following the arrival of M6 telephone and text message, SFR neufbox TV Replay and M6 VOD, completes M6’s interactive subscribers can vote directly with their remote package for new connected screens and is part control to elect the “Nouvelle Star 2010”. It’s a of the group’s ongoing strategy to innovate and truly innovative function that’s also simple to use. adapt to new uses by television viewers.

On the M6 channel, during the Nouvelle Star SFR enriches the range of television services programme, a single click on the “OK” button of offered to neufbox TV customers. This new the SFR neufbox remote control allows access service reinforces the longstanding partnership to an “M6/Nouvelle Star” interface especially of the SFR and M6 groups, which has already designed for television. Viewers can choose been established through distribution of the their contestant while watching the show live on M6 Replay interactive service, the M6 Séries M6, and the channel is integrated in the inter- service and the Groupe M6 channels in SFR’s TV face. A click on the chosen contestant’s face and packages. a simple two-click confirmation on the remote control is all it takes to register one’s vote, which is transmitted directly to the Pavillon Baltard. Each vote costs EUR 0,56 and is billed directly to the SFR invoice.

Full acquisition of Blu FremantleMedia announced its investment in a further 25 per cent stake of production company Blu, taking its ownership to 100 per cent. United Kingdom - 26 April 2010

Blu has a long history of achievement in the Simon Spalding, Regional CEO, Europe & Asia development and production of entertainment Pacific, FremantleMedia said: “Blu has gone formats. Hits for the company include well from strength to strength, and we’re delighted known global formats such as X Factor (Syco), to increase our investment in the company, which has been Denmark’s highest rated show making it a wholly owned part of - for the past three years, as well as Idols Media. This is a further demonstration of our (19/FremantleMedia), Bonde søger brud absolute confidence in Blu’s continued ability (Farmer Wants A Wife), Hul i hovedet (Hole to bring inspiring entertainment to audiences in In The Wall, which is owned by Fuji TV), Star Denmark, Sweden, and beyond.” Search and the dating format Dagens Mand (Take Me Out), among others. Blu was founded by Henrik Hancke Nielsen, the creator of the international TV successes The Big Class Reunion, Can You Duet, Spoofed and Welcome Home. He is now an Executive Producer at FremantleMedia North America. 13 week 17 the RTL Group intranet

Fighting for life and against the disease Télévie collected a final sum of EUR 8,939,565 for research into cancer and leukaemia. Belgium / Luxembourg - 27 April 2010

For more information see Televie.be & Televie.lu

This year’s Télévie raised a final sum of EUR 8,939,565

On Saturday 24 April, the Belgian and Luxem- bourg channels were set to Télévie time. All day Télévie: Facts & Figures: long, one programme after another dedicated to Raise awareness – Mobilise – Entertain: thanks to the dedicated efforts of the RTL the event aired on radio and TV until the evening family in Belgium and Luxembourg, more than ceremony, which culminated in the handing over EUR 100 million (precisely EUR 109,652,925) of a cheque for EUR 7,816,573 in Belgium and have been raised to date, all of which has gone EUR 1,122,992 in Luxembourg. to fund cancer research. “The ultimate goal - and it is an important one “The world was hit with several natural disas- - is to develop a cure for childhood leukaemia. ters early on in 2010, each of them shaking our All of the research teams worldwide are working consciousness. Like catastrophes, illness toward this,” says Arsène Burny, President of the reminds us how precious life is – in a more Télévie commission at the FNRS. subtle way, but often closer to home,” says Since its debut in 1989, thousands of people, RTL Belgium CEO Philippe Delusinne. “Since from TV presenters, journalists and artists to 1989, Télévie has been raising funds for researchers and dedicated individuals, have research on cancer and leukaemia in particular. rallied to raise funds for research into cancer For us at RTL Belgium, the level of mobilisation and particularly leukaemia. In 2004, RTL Group is extraordinary and I believe Télévie belongs introduced its own sporting event, the Télévie Challenge, and has to date collected to everybody: to everyone who participates EUR 253,353 in this way. and to each employee at RTL. Thank you all for your commitment and your efforts. I am very impressed.”

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Desalinating, reprocessing and innovating Expédition RTL, led by special correspondent Etienne Baudu, headed to the Middle East to study the problem of water shortages. Once the water is treated it is sent to the Jordan Valley where it is used for agriculture France - 28 April 2010

The Middle East is experiencing ever-increas- ing water shortages. This region has been nicknamed “the thirst belt”, and its largely insuf- ficient water resources are creating a great deal of tension, particularly between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. In Israel, there is an average of 280 cubic metres of water available per inhabitant per year, and in Jordan 145 cubic metres, as compared to 3,500 cubic metres in France. To compensate for this shortage, different techniques have been developed in the region: desalination of sea- water and treatment of wastewater for agricul- ture in Israel, and desalination of brackish water in Jordan. Alit Wiel-Shafran of Ben Gurion University is the designer of the “wetland unit” (in yellow in the photo). If it is patented, it could be Desalinating marketed around the world. After passing through the “wetland”, the grey water (wastewater from individuals) can be used Etienne Baudu, accompanied by RTL techni- to water the garden. cian Loïc Rischmann, went to investigate these Reprocessing alternatives that are helping the Middle East to If water needs to be produced, it is also essential increase its “blue gold” resources. On the first that it be conserved: one way is by reprocess- day of the enquiry, Etienne Baudu visited the ing wastewater and then using it for agriculture. first desalination plant in Jordan designed by While in Jordan, Etienne Baudu visited the ultra- the French company Degrémont. A subsidiary of modern As Samra plant, an ecological plant that Suez Environnement, Degrémont is one of the is practically autonomous in terms of energy: world leaders in this field. The plant is located the mud extracted from wastewater is used to on the shores of the Dead Sea, southeast of produce a biogas that runs the machinery. The Amman. It processes brackish water from three As Samra plant already treats 40 per cent of sources. An engineer explained to the RTL Jordan’s wastewater; 100 per cent of this treated reporter that once the water has been water is then redistributed to farmers in the desalinated, it is too pure and cannot be Jordan Valley. drunk. It must then be remineralised. The plant already produces 35 per cent of the fresh water Innovating consumed by the 2.5 million inhabitants of the Etienne Baudu then headed to Israel, a country capital city Amman. For now, desalination is the that is at the forefront in water management. only way to “manufacture” fresh water. He headed to the water research institute at

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Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, where hundreds of researchers are studying the question. He told RTL listeners about his visit to the fish farms, which are raising sea fish in the middle of the desert. The water from these fish farms is drawn from deep underground and is salty, which is why sea fish can be raised here. At one of the farms the water from the basins, enriched by fish waste, is then used to irrigate olive groves. The oil produced here is of high quality and is exported to Spain. At a fish farm on the Mashabé Sade kibbutz, in the middle of the desert, water is drawn from 1,200 metres underground. It is salty.

Net profit doubled On 28 April, Grupo Antena 3 published its financials for the first quarter of 2010. Net profit increased by 95.8 per cent year-on-year, while net revenue improved by 10.3 per cent. Spain - 29 April 2010

Grupo Antena 3 reported net first-quarter prof- its of 15.9 million EUR – so profits have nearly doubled year-on-year (Q1/2009: 8.1 million EUR). The group’s net revenue for the first three months of the year came to 192.9 million EUR – a 10.3 per cent improvement over the 174.9 mil- lion EUR generated in the first quarter of 2009. First-quarter EBITDA also increased by ten per cent, amounting to 25 million EUR after 22.8 mil- lion in Q1/2009.

The results were owed primarily to a recovery of the TV advertising market. Antena 3 TV’s first-quarter ad sales rose by a solid 20 percent to EUR 167.9 million, which translates to 29.4 percent of the total advertising market, or four percentage points more than last year. This improvement is attributed in part to the fact that the Spanish public broadcaster “TVE” dropped advertising from its program. Total net profit for Grupo Antena 3’s television operations surged by 80.4 per cent year-on-year, from 7.8 million EUR in Q1/2009 to 14 million EUR for the first quarter of 2010.

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Seal of approval The RTL Group and CLT-UFA companies in Luxembourg have been awarded the SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber of approval as a token of their solid commitment to protecting the environment in a concrete way. Luxembourg - 29 April 2010

SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber is a At the Kirchberg site – in collaboration with all recognised seal of approval awarded by the local company units – efforts have been made Ministry of Sustainable Development to over the years in selective waste collection, private and public enterprises that manage including paper sorting as well as recycling of their waste while respecting the environment. office supplies (toner, batteries, bulbs) and Only the companies that implement the detailed kitchen waste (food, plastic bottles…). “Even waste management plan developed for them by though our company is not one of the bigger SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber can receive the polluters, the volume of waste as well as our seal of approval. impact on the environment remains significant,” says Francesco Costadura. In one year the The atmosphere was convivial when Kirchberg site generates approximately 130 tons SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber representa- of waste, of which 50 tons are paper. tive Carlo Guetti presented Internal Services managers with the seal of approval for “We must learn to avoid more than reduce,” waste sorting and disposal according to says Carlo Guetti, representative of the SuperDrecksKëscht criteria, along with a SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber seal of certificate, which is valid for one year. approval, which has been awarded to some 1,800 companies in Luxembourg since 1993. “The seal of approval is the culmination of several The most ecological and effective way to reduce years’ work,” said Francesco Costadura, Senior waste is to act “before the dust bin” by opting for Vice President Human Resources and Internal products that generate less waste. Services CLT-UFA. He thanked the managers and employees for their commitment in the area Conserving and reducing natural resources is of waste prevention and recovery. also one of the environmental priorities of RTL Group and its subsidiaries, which have agreed to Since the launch of the ecological action plan intensify their efforts to reduce carbon emissions for waste management in 2003, the Internal by setting the objectives of a 5 per cent reduction Services of CLT-UFA have succeeded in putting in the current 2010 level, 10 per cent in 2012 and the necessary infrastructure and procedures in 20 per cent in 2020. place as well as informing and assisting their staff.

(from left to right) Francesco Costadura, Senior Vice President Human Resources and Internal Services CLT-UFA, Carlo Guetti, representative of the SuperDrecksKëscht fir Betriber seal of approval and Gerard Schneider, Head of Internal Services CLT-UFA. 17 Pedalling all out RTL Group employees in Luxemburg once again took to their spinning bikes for eight hours, pedalling their way to donations for the Télévie Challenge 2010. The fundraiser ended to wild cheering at 20:00, at which point the kilometre count had reached 8,944. For each kilometre cycled, RTL Group donated EUR 5.00 to the Télévie 2010 − by the end of the Challenge, the 431 participants had raised a total of EUR 44,720, which RTL Group rounded up to EUR 52,000. week 17 the RTL Group intranet

“To live better with less” Yann Arthus-Bertrand was the eagerly awaited guest at the third Forum of Sustainability held on 20 April in Luxembourg. In an interview with RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg, he talked about the responsibility everyone has toward the planet. Luxembourg - 22 April 2010

Fun Radio wakes Paris In terms of audience, the radio station with the “dance floor” sound beat all records in Ile-de-France and can boast of gaining 160,000 new listeners in one year. France - 23 April 2010

Extending Big Brother Good news for the many fans of Germany’s most famous TV flat-share: the tenth season of Big Brother has been extended by a good two months. Germany - 23 April 2010

How far will they go? Dilemme is the new reality show on W9 on which contestants will be placed in dilemma situations, either playful or psychological, that will punctuate their daily life. And where will they be living during this holiday? A cube! France - 26 April 2010

Home, sweet home Every year, more than 120,000 families in Belgium decide to move, and RTL-TVI is lending them a hand with the new show A vendre / A acheter. Belgium - 26 April 2010

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Looking for a summer job? RTL Radio France dedicated the airwaves to its monthly Journée RTL Emploi initiative, this time focusing on summer jobs. No fewer than 14,000 offers of employment were posted on its website. France - 27 April 2010

Are you a Fun Radio fan? The youth-oriented music radio station joins the Top-10 list of the most active French brands on Facebook. France - 27 April 2010

500 Wives, 500 Lives Each week since 14 July 2003, two mothers have swapped lives and shared their experiences with German TV audiences during prime time on RTL II. 482 women and 18 men have been part of the Frauentausch adventure to date, and RTL II is about to air the 250th episode.. Germany - 29 April 2010

Listen to Bixente Lizarazu For the period covering January to March 2010, RTL Radio’s programme Club Liza, presented by former French football player Bixente Lizarazu, achieved very good audience ratings, with an average of 390,000 listeners – 19,000 more listeners than the previous period. France - 29 April 2010

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