Interim Results 2010 Withh EUR 537 Millimillion, RTL Group Delivers Best Half-Year Result Ever

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2625 August 20092010

week 34

Interim results 2010 Withh EUR 537 millimillion, RTL Group delivers best half-year result ever

e plu s all th major news from the last four weeks

Germany The Netherlands Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland RTL Nederland presents plans central platform for TV new season programming content

North America Spain A young girl enchants Grupo Antena 3 launches America’s Got Talent third digital channel week 34 the RTL Group intranet

2625 August 20092010

week 34

Interim results 2010 Cover: Withh EUR 537 millimillion, RTL Group delivers best half-year result ever Montage for the Interim Results 2010

e plu s all th major news from the last four weeks

Germany The Netherlands Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland RTL Nederland presents 2 plans central platform for TV new season programming content

North America Spain A young girl enchants Grupo Antena 3 launches America’s Got Talent third digital channel week 34 the RTL Group intranet

RTL Group delivers best half-year result ever On 25 August, RTL Group announced its interim results to 30 June 2010. Backstage asked RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler about the current status of the company. Gerhard Zeiler Luxembourg - 25 August 2010

With growing advertising revenue, many TV In Germany, total revenue increased 5 per cent companies reported significantly improved with EBITA rising to EUR 257 million reflecting financial results in recent weeks. How did the significantly higher advertising sales and the RTL Group perform in the first half of 2010? comprehensive cost saving measures initiated The advertising markets in the first half of 2010 last year. All of Groupe M6’s operating activities showed a strong recovery in Western Europe reported revenue and EBITA growth resulting in – much stronger than expected at the begin- an overall EBITA improvement of 20.7 per cent ning of the year. This is the result of the overall to EUR 134 million. And in the Netherlands, the economic recovery, but it also demonstrates total EBITA of the profit centre doubled to EUR the strength of television, as many advertisers 32 million Euros compared to last year, based have re-discovered its unique value for building on higher revenue generated by the TV activities brands and reaching mass audiences. and stable costs.

For the first half of 2010, RTL Group reports a You already mentioned the significant cost strong set of results with significant growth in reductions realised in 2009. Is this still on the revenue and its best half-year EBITA and profit agenda? margin ever. This is also a benefit from our sig- Following significant savings in 2009, we’ve con- nificant cost reductions in 2009. tinued to apply strict cost control in 2010. If you look at our half-year figures, you can see that The Group’s EBITA margin increased 5.4 per- the Group’s operating costs remained broadly centage points to 20.2 per cent, and the net stable. Overall, we plan more or less with the result for RTL Group shareholders rose to EUR same cost base as in 2009. 257 million. However, we are and we will remain flexible: we Also from an audience ratings perspective can further cut costs or invest more on short no- almost all of our profit centres had an excellent tice − depending what the overall economic situ- first half year despite the fact that significant ation or the competition requires. This is done in sporting events such as the football World Cup close co-ordination with our local management and the Olympic Winter Games were broadcast teams in the various countries. on competing channels. What are RTL Group’s strategic priorities? Where did the EBITA improvement come RTL Group’s strategy will continue to pursue two from? main goals. First, to further optimise our core All our units improved their operating results with broadcasting business. This includes a variety especially strong performances coming from of measures such as strengthening our family Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Groupe M6 of channels and a cautious but flexible cost ap- and RTL Nederland. proach.

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The second main goal is to develop future growth However, you wouldn’t expect us to put a number by investing in content production, on-demand on our full-year result for 2010 – because this platforms and mobile services, leveraging our will solely depend on the development in the strong brands and creating a win-win-situation fourth quarter for which we have basically no with platform operators. We will also continue to visibility. This has to do with the strong fourth consider geographical expansion in high-growth quarter of last year when the lack of advertising regions. The digital world offers many business bookings in the first three quarters where partly opportunities, and we have the creativity, flex- compensated during the last three months. The ibility and financial strength to take advantage of only positive indicator we have so far is that TV them. advertising market growth in the UK will also continue in October. Finally, what is your outlook for the full year 2010? To sum it up: Our programme schedules for the We are confident that the positive trend –in next season are clear, our audience and adver- terms of EBITA improvement year-on-year – will tising performance is strong, costs are under also continue in the third quarter of 2010. Based control. The fourth quarter will decide whether on this and on our strong performance in key 2010 will be a good or a great year. markets, we will significantly outperform last year’s result.

Best first half-year EBITA and profit margin ever

Reported Group revenue up 7.5 per cent to EUR 2,661 million reflecting strong growth in Western European TV advertising markets in first half of 2010

First-half EBITA of EUR 537 million (up 46.3 per cent), mainly driven by significantly higher profit contributions from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Groupe M6 and RTL Nederland

Reported EBITA margin of 20.2 per cent (2009: 14.8 per cent)

Net profit attributable to RTL Group shareholders comes to EUR 257 million (2009: net loss of EUR 105 million)

Net cash from operating activities of EUR 523 million (2009: EUR 237 million), resulting in operating cash conversion of 118 per cent and net cash position at the end of June of EUR 894 million

Following significant cost savings in 2009, operating costs remained broadly stable atEUR 2,168 million (2009: EUR 2,142 million)

All profit centres improved their results

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland increased its clear audience leadership over main competitor ProSiebenSat1 to 5.2 percentage points and outperformed a significantly growing TV advertising market; EBITA up 62.7 per cent to EUR 257 million

Groupe M6 in France showed strong revenue and EBITA growth across all its activities; EBITA up 20.7 per cent to EUR 134 million

Despite general pressure on margins and volumes, RTL Group’s worldwide production arm FremantleMedia continued its strong performance, thanks to its well-balanced stable of hit entertainment shows; EBITA up 3.4 per cent to EUR 90 million

RTL Nederland doubled EBITA year on year to EUR 32 million

RTL Radio in France reporting EBITA growth of 87.5 per cent, reaching EUR 15 million

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A disciplined approach to portfolio management, Five sold

In July, RTL Group sold its UK broadcaster Five to the Northern & Shell company owned by British publisher Richard Desmond. The total cash consideration payable to RTL Group for its 100 per cent shareholding in Five was EUR 124 million.

In March, FremantleMedia acquired the remaining 25 per cent of the production company Blu, the market leader in Denmark and Sweden, taking FremantleMedia’s ownership to 100 per cent; in April, FremantleMedia took over 100 per cent of the Netherlands-based independent production company Four One Media

In January, RTL Nederland acquired Radio 10 Gold, expanding its family of radio stations, which also comprises market leader Radio 538 and digital station RTL Lounge Radio

RTL Group’s new media activities show strong growth

RTL Group’s online platforms and on-demand offers across Europe collectively generated more than 715 million video views of professionally produced content – up 50 per cent year-on-year

Total online advertising revenue up 55 per cent year-on-year, driven by video advertising

RTL Group companies have launched 40 mobile applications registering 5.5 million downloads to date; RTL Television became the first German channel to offer a mobile live stream app for its linear TV schedule

Pay-TV channels in Germany, France and the Netherlands are operating at a profit

For more information see: RTLGroup.com

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Revenue, EBITA, operating margin: all indicators significantly up End of July, Groupe M6 published its financial results for the first half of 2010. The group’s consolidated revenues grew by 9.4 per cent to EUR 742.1 million, while consolidated EBITA came to EUR 132.5 million, a 23.3 per cent increase. France - 28 July 2010

All activities contributed to the growth: the Revenues from the digital channels (advertising group’s advertising revenues (M6 channel, and distribution) rose by 15.8 per cent, mainly digital channels, Internet) increased by 10.0 driven by W9. The free DTT channel achieved per cent, while non-advertising revenues were a 2.9 per cent average national audience share up 8.7 per cent. On top of that, all activities over the period (audiences aged 4 and above; substantially increased their contribution in terms Source: Médiamétrie) and confirmed its position of current operating profit, thereby validating the as the most-invested-in DTT channel (advertis- group’s strategy of combining growth and profit- ing expenditures) over the period (gross ad data, ability. Net profit for the period came to EUR 84.4 source Kantar Media). W9 is also the number million, reflecting a 5.5 per cent increase. one DTT channel among housewives under 50 with an average national audience share of 3.8 The recovery in the ad sales market, which per cent. began in March 2010, gathered momentum in Q2, yielding a 12.0 per cent growth in advertis- In the first half of 2010, diversification and ing revenues for the channel M6, however on audiovisual rights revenues were up 9.7 per a favourable comparison base. In the first half cent to EUR 317.5 million. The segment’s total of 2010, advertising revenues for M6 were up contribution to consolidated EBITA was by 7.4 per cent. Programming costs increased EUR 32.3 million, up 42.9 per cent. by 5.3 per cent to EUR 156.3 million. The channel M6 improved its current operating margin (EBITA/Rev) by 1.8 percentage points to 25.1 per cent.

Net result more than doubled Grupo Antena 3 published its financials for the first half year 2010. All key financial figures – revenue, operating profit and net result – grew significantly year on year. Spain - 29 July 2010

Based on a recovery of the Spanish TV adver- The strong set of results is primarily due to the tising market, consolidated revenue of Grupo fact that Grupo Antena’3 TV activities – which Antena 3 increased by 15.7 per cent to EUR contributed 85 per cent to the company’s consol- 423 million. The company’s operating profit idated revenue in the first half of 2010 – clearly (EBITDA) was EUR 86 million – an increase by outperformed the market: while the Spanish TV 87.0 per cent compared to the first six months advertising market was estimated to be up 7.4 of 2009. The net result of Grupo Antena 3 more per cent year on year, Grupo Antena 3’s net TV than doubled to EUR 58 million. advertising sales surged by 21.5 per cent. As a result, the group’s market share increased by 3.4 percentage points to 27.7 per cent. 6 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

Open, central platform for TV content on the Internet Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and ProSiebenSat1 are collaborating on an open technical platform for commercial and public- service TV channels in Germany and Austria to provide free views of TV content. Marc Schroeder Germany - 6 August 2010

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland via RTL Inter- The new platform gives Internet users the active and ProSiebenSat1 Media plan to set option, for the first time, to catch up on watch- up a joint venture to operate an open technical ing TV content on a central, uncluttered online platform for viewing catch-up TV content on platform that is tailored to the German and the Internet. The new company’s site is aimed Austrian markets respectively. The platform at commercial and public-service TV channels will strengthen competition in the German and in Germany and Austria, and will provide a Austrian markets and is meant to better position platform for participating broadcasters to offer the participating TV channels in the competition Internet users their content – entire series, mov- with international Internet sites. ies, shows or news programmes – on a central online site and present them individually in their RTL Interactive and ProSiebenSat1 plan to own branded section of the platform. Internet set up a joint venture that will provide the users will be able to stream all content free of participating channels with the technology charge for seven days after the TV broadcast. services needed to use the platform, such as The content will continue to be marketed solely hosting and streaming. The joint venture’s by the respective TV channels. The platform’s business activity will consist exclusively of establishment and operation are subject to providing the technology for the platform. The TV approval by the responsible European Com- channels will each manage, edit and market their mission, the Directorate General for Competi- own sections on the platform. The joint venture tion. The application for approval was filed will receive compensation from the respective TV on 6 August. channels for their use of the technical infrastruc- ture and services, and will have an organisation that is independent of its shareholders.

VoxNow.de 7 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

Backstage spoke with Marc Schröder, Won’t the new platform cannibalise the chan- Managing Director of RTL Interactive: nels’ own video-on-demand sites such as RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de? What is the rationale behind this project? In principle, all of the content we plan to show The time has come for a site that offers users TV on the new platform will continue to be shown on content on a central online platform. This ben- RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de. It is possible that efits users and TV companies equally – whether the new central platform will cause the number public service or private, whether small or large. of content views on our video-on-demand sites to decline, but we are banking on the consumer- What can users expect once the site is up friendly charm and user-side added value of a and running? What is the plan? one-stop shop and expect that this will compen- The user is initially routed to a central homepage sate for any decline in user numbers on our own that presents select content from the TV chan- video-on-demand sites. Besides, we also offer nels represented on the platform. From there, paid content from our Preview TV offering and he clicks his way to individual sections hosted our extensive content archives – and this is avail- by the various TV channels, where he can view able exclusively on RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de. their respective content. Each TV channel man- ages the content of its individual section of the Would the site be free for users? platform. Yes, the content is ad-financed and available for free on the new platform for seven days after the TV broadcast. Afterwards, users can access the content through the archives on RTLNow.de or VoxNow.de – as they already can today.

RTLNow.de

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New programme line-up marks a new beginning At its first own programme press conference in years, Super RTL had a big surprise to announce. The children’s channel will show the exclusive free-TV premiere of Glee, last year’s most popular series from the US. Carsten Göttel Germany - 13 August 2010

Some 20 members of the press had come to ing Zoom, a new celebrity magazine Super RTL’s new domicile in Cologne-Deutz of its own, moderated by Nina Mog- to watch and listen as the channel’s Managing ghadam – which will be aired early Watch trailers on Director Claude Schmit and Head of evenings. “Only on Super RTL will Programming Carsten Göttel presented the new viewers see the stars seen in Bravo Backstage line-up. In the year ahead, Super RTL not only magazine, too, like Miley Cirus,” says further cemented its market leadership in the Göttel happily. New additions to the pro- children’s segment but also added new viewers gramme include the Disney series Kick especially in prime time. “Our shareholders put Buttowski, Tripp’s Rockband and Meine together a lavish package of films and series,” Schwester Charlie. says Carsten Göttel. “Besides Toy Story 2 and Camp Rock 2, the series are going to be instru- The preschoolers’ line-up Toggolino will bring mental in upgrading our prime time.” new episodes of favourites such as Bob the Builder and Timmy Time for the channel’s Starting in January 2011, Super RTL will show youngest viewers, and there are brand-new the series that was last year’s sleeper hit in the formats to further sharpen the children’s and US: Glee. With an average ten million view- family channel’s profile: the animated series ers per episode, it won a Golden Globe, three Dschungel, Dschungel! and the commissioned TCA Awards and was nominated for 19 Emmy production Gustav, which brings the eponymous Awards. “We will probably schedule the series mascot of the parenting magazine Eltern onto somewhere close to Deutschland sucht den German TV screens. Superstar – Das Magazin,” says Schmit. Super RTL will begin showing the remake of the classic Super RTL will also be bringing music to its Knight Rider, along with Merlin and Star Wars: preschoolers’ programming in a cooperation Clone Wars in prime time starting in October – with the children’s songwriter Detlev Jöcker. The the latter two will make their German premiere music-and-dance clips tell stories from the eve- on Super RTL. Carsten Göttel explains the strat- ryday worlds of nursery school and preschool egy: “We want to use prime time to show child- children. Little viewers are invited to dance, sing friendly adult programming for the whole family and join in as they start the day with lots of fun rather than children’s programming.” and exercise.

Highlights of the new afternoon line-up include “The new programme line-up marks a new be- the new series Angelo Rules and Sally Bol- ginning for us,” says Claude Schmit. “I believe lywood as well as Teenage Rockstar Sommer- that we will be able to win over a wide range of camp. The lavishly produced talent show will viewers with our content, allowing us to grow be seen on Super RTL come September. Ten our market share among 14- to 49-year-olds as finalists will compete for the title of ‘Teenage well.” Rockstar 2010’. Super RTL will also be launch-

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Presenting: the new jury Hit producer Dieter Bohlen will be joined by singer/songwriter Patrick Nuo and singer Fernanda Brandao on the judging panel for season eight of Deutschland sucht den Superstar. Fernanda Brandao Germany - 16 August 2010

Tom Sänger, Head of Entertainment Show & Daytime at RTL Television, says: “Fernanda Brandao and Patrick Nuo will greatly enhance the jury and the new season. Both have long years of experience in the music business and as performers. I thank Nina Eichinger and Volker Neumüller for their outstanding work in the last two seasons, in which they played a formative role.” Dieter Bohlen adds: “I greatly look forward to my two new colleagues, who both bring stage experience and commercial music skills to their roles.”

Patrick Nuo rose to fame with hits including 5 Days, Reanimate and Beautiful. At just 27 years of age, the Swiss heartthrob has already released three albums and eight singles, and his songs have become a fixture on pop radio play- Patrick Nuo lists. Today, he lives and works in the US, and is currently playing the lead in a US movie short tions in her native Brazil. When Fernanda was 9 scheduled for completion in 2011. Comment- years old, her mother decided to move to Ger- ing on his new role at Deutschland sucht den many. In Europe, Fernanda started taking ballet, Superstar (DSDS), Nuo says: “I very much look jazz, modern dance, hip-hop and singing les- forward to my new role on Germany’s most sons, and by the age of 11, she already had her popular TV show and of course to the many first show. She appeared in a number of music thousands of candidates. I’m hoping for a lot videos as a dancer. She rose to fame in Europe, of young people who will inspire us with their Asia and the Middle East as the lead singer of talent this season – because I know they exist Hot Banditoz, a Latino pop group that released in Germany, and in Austria and my own native the summer hit Veo Veo in 2004. Brandao has Switzerland.” lived in Berlin, where she has other projects ongoing besides the Hot Banditoz, since 2007. Fernanda Brandao was born in Belo Horizonte/ “I am delighted to be part of Germany’s biggest Minas Gerais, Brazil, and grew up in Rio de Ja- talent show. I’m excited to see the candidates, neiro. At the tender age of 4, she was already and look forward to some major surprises,” wowing audiences in various children’s produc- Fernanda Brandao says about DSDS.

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The battle of the singing talents and judges Leona Lewis became an international megastar through X Factor. Now, the internationally successful talent show made its debut in Germany. Sarah Connor Germany - 20 August 2010

The X Factor has already soared to success in 16 countries, and the seventh season began in England on 22 August. The first season of X Factor Germany kicked off on RTL Televi- sion on 20 August and 21 August. On Saturday evening, the new talent show was the evening’s number-one show among 14 to 49 year-old viewers, with a market share von 21.3 per cent. In all, an average 2.23 million viewers aged 3 and older watched the second show in the new series featuring the pop queen Sarah Connor, star trumpeter Till Brönner and successful producer George Glueck as its three judges. This was a marked improvement in market shares compared with the kick-off show on Friday evening (16.4 per cent), when the show had to compete among other things with the season’s first Bundesliga match, Bayern München against VfL Wolfsburg, which was broadcast live on ARD. After this event-style showcasing, the show moves to Vox: since 24 August and through the final, it has been on air on Vox, Tuesdays at 20:15. Till Brönner and judges compete in three categories: solo What sets X Factor apart from other talent artists aged 16 to 24, solo artists aged 25 and shows is that over the course of the season, the older and vocal duos or groups aged 16 and up. judges – in Germany, they are the pop star Sarah Connor, jazz musician Till Brönner and the pro- The way to the top is anything but easy for ducer George Glueck – become the candidates’ X Factor contestants: during the four stages of mentors and compete with each other as well. the show, participants have to first win over the They use their own expertise to perfect the can- judges, and finally the viewers. It all begins with didates’ performance, working hard to ensure the auditions, which attracted more than 19,000 that “their” act wins the show. The contestants candidates.

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At the second stage, the candidates are divided into the three categories mentioned above. Each judge takes on one of the categories and acts as a mentor, preparing his protégés for the next steps in his or her personal “Bootcamp” by giv- ing them their first few vocal assignments. The mentors get to decide for their category which six acts go to the next round.

During phase three, each mentor and their six acts jointly work on their performance in a private setting. The jury houses for this period are located at various exclusive locations in Europe. Now, it all has to come together– voice, styling, stage presence. And only the best three acts from each jury house will move to the fourth, final and crucial round of X Factor: the live shows.

During the live shows, the viewers decide who gets to fulfil their dream of superstardom, through phone voting. The two acts with the fewest number of calls are given a final chance in a sing-off that same evening, competing against each other with a song of their choice. on: The judges then decide which of them gets the X Factor last ticket for the next live-show. Watch George Glueck VoxNow.de In this way, during each live show one act is or eliminated until there are only two hopefuls left to compete with each other in the grand finale. RTLNow.de The decision on who emerges as the winner of X Factor is up to the viewers. The live shows are enhanced with appearances and performances by top-notch domestic and international stars.

The winner of X Factor gets a recording contract with Sony Music and the chance at a major career in music.

X Factor highlight videos are posted exclusively on Vox.de and Clipfish.de. The full-length show episodes will be available on RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de after they have been broadcast on TV. Comprehensive information, including exclusive backgrounders and videos about the show itself, the judges and the candidates is posted on Vox.de. Just in time for the start on Vox, RTL Interactive also launched an X Factor App for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Grundy Light Entertainment produces X Factor for Vox and RTL Television; both are Medien- gruppe RTL Deutschland channels. Grundy Light Entertainment is a company in the UFA group, FremantleMedia’s German subsidiary. The new iPhone App

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Staff and content-related changes at RTL II The Munich-based channel RTL II announced the introduction of new measures designed to ensure the quality of its programmes as part of its ongoing efforts to reposition its brand. Julia Nicolas, who had headed up the channel’s entertainment team, is leaving the company. Germany - 20 August 2010

In a press release, RTL II announced that new RTL II’s Managing Director Jochen Starke said: formats will in future be subjected to a standard “We value the fact that RTL II is viewed as a evaluation procedure covering editorial aspects, channel that combines entertainment comprising external production partners, programming innovative and sometimes controversial formats management, marketing and advertising sales. with a great feel for empathy and social respon- The whole procedure will be overseen by the sibility. Our new quality management approach company’s management. will help us ensure that this awareness clearly shines through every day in our schedule“. By adopting this procedure, RTL II is endeav- ouring to make sure that its future programmes RTL II also announced that the editor-in-chief of meet quality requirements better than they have its entertainment team, Julia Nicolas, is leaving done in the past. Last year, the channel prom- the company on friendly terms by mutual agree- ised such an improvement to its viewers and ment, to devote herself to new challenges. advertising customers when it launched its new brand positioning campaign with the slogan “it’s fun“.

Transfer : A deal for Gourcuff L’Olympique Lyonnais and the FC Girondins de Bordeaux, part of Groupe M6, announced in a joint press release that they reached a deal regarding the permanent transfer of Yoann Gourcuff. Yoann Gourcuff France - 24 August 2010

According to the press release, “this transfer In an interview given to Aujourd’hui en will be effective after the resolution of the usual France, Nicolas de Tavernost, CEO and Chair- suspension clauses. This transfer will occur man of the Management Board of Groupe M6, in conformity with the interests of the club of stated: “Today’s circumstances see a player Bordeaux, the trainer, the technical staff all as leaving us. Bordeaux has a good team, with well as the contractual commitments made with or without Gourcuff. I would like to confirm that the player. The Club will very soon have the the Girondins’ aim is to set up a team with opportunity to communicate and reaffirm its Champions league level.” ambitions for the forthcoming season.” 13 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

A sweet little girl seduces America Once again, a talent show has succeeded in riveting millions of TV viewers to their seats – and generating headlines within hours of its broadcast. North America - 17 August 2010

On 14 August, a little girl just over four foot tall, managed to move and inspire 10.5 million viewers with her vocal performance in the fifth season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. At the age of 8 years, Jackie Evancho saw The Phantom of the Opera and was so impressed that she took singing lessons. Shortly after she was presenting her first performance on YouTube where she got a lot of fans. With this support she decided to go to America’s Got Talent.

Jackie, 10, bowled over the judges, the audience and millions of fans watching at home with her rendition of the sophisticated Italian aria O Mio Babbino Caro by Giacomo Puccini. Jackie has moved to the next round, one step closer to the USD 1 million grand prize, leaving international headlines in her wake. The Bild website headlined its report “Jackie Evancho enchants America”, while Marie Drucker, a news presenter at France 2, waxes equally enthusiastic: “A 10-year-old singer has the US at her feet.” Jackie Evancho Jackie isn’t the first to wow millions of TV viewers with an unexpectedly brilliant vocal performance. She follows in the footsteps of Paul Potts and Susan Boyle, who both emerged as stars from past seasons of Britain’s Got Talent. Susan Boyle’s first album I Dreamed a Dream broke all advance sales records and sold more than 7 million units worldwide.

America’s Got Talent is produced by FremantleMedia North America. The Got Talent format has been sold to more than 27 countries to date; in Germany, the fourth season of Das Supertalent begins on RTL Television in late September 2010.

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Everything’s coming up entertainment! In the upcoming TV season, RTL Nederland’s channels present a colourful package of entertainment, information and show programming. The channels each cater to their own demographic and mutually complement each other. Martijn Krabbé The Netherlands - 24 August 2010

“In the future, we not only want to enhance At RTL 5, the upcoming season is all about ad- our position in the radio and TV market, but venturers from the Netherlands, ambitious talent also become active in new markets – where and US series. The new season of So You Think the consumers are and we as the RTL brand You Can Dance begins on 29 August, and in the can contribute added value. This includes ac- twelfth season of Expeditie Robinson, a number tivities at theatres, concerts or cinema theatres,” of celebrities have to prove that they are strong says Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland, enough to survive on a deserted Malaysian isle. adding: “Our aim is to strengthen the One clear highlight among the new US series is entertainment business and to be the Glee. The musical, which was nominated for 19 Netherlands’ leading media and entertainment Emmy Awards and won a Golden Globe already company. This mission means that we will was a big hit in the US, England and Australia continue to offer the kind of high-quality, innova- and is now poised to captivate the Netherlands. tive programming that viewers demand. There will also be new seasons of Benelux Next Top Model, Who Is The Boss, On The Boil and Starting in fall, a number of popular formats like Take Me Out. Uschi, Miljoenenjacht, Echt Waar?!, Wat Vindt Nederland and Ik hou van Holland will return to Meanwhile, RTL 7 promises to deliver “Meer the Saturday night line-up at RTL 4. Friday eve- voor Mannen” (More for Men). The Netherlands’ nings are already all about talent: after Holland’s only real men’s channel will unveil a new logo, Got Talent launched successfully this summer, a new look and “official colours” this fall: black the new show The Voice of Holland will follow in and yellow. Football is one of the main empha- fall. After that, RTL 4 will devote the broadcast- ses in its programming, with broadcasts of the ing slot to a new season of X Factor. In access Europa League and Jupiler League matches primetime, the channel will rely on its proven as well as the football magazine show Voetbal formats Editie NL, RTL Boulevard, RTL Nieuws International. Car and motorcycle racing, as well and Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden – in October as Ultimate Fighting are also a fixture in RTL 7’s the popular soap celebrates its 20th anniversary. programming. Sunday evenings are devoted to The new season of Uitstel van Executie began series such as The Unit and the eighth season on Tuesday 24 August. Martijn Krabbé and his of 24. team of experts will again give their all to save homeowners from foreclosure. Women will find programming tailored to their tastes on RTL 8. Starting this autumn, the channel will show RTL Télé Kids, programming specifically for 3- to 8-year-olds – the highlight here is De Schatkamer, a new studio show to be broadcast from the Netherlands’ biggest theme New logo of RTL 7 15 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

Dr. Phil and Oprah Winfrey park, Efteling. Starting in fall, the channel will of August, the channel will show the new series show the fourth season of the popular series The Westenwind and Laguna Beach. From 30 Au- Tudors as well as new episodes of the two talk gust, RTL Lounge will show the Dutch premiere shows Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil. of the Canadian dating show The Matchmaker. Advance episodes of Goede Tijden, Slechte RTL Lounge is also focusing on women in the Tijden, Project Catwalk and TV Makelaar will season ahead. After a good first year, the channel also continue to be a fixed element in the digital will continue to present a bouquet of high-quality channel’s programming. formats in its second year. Starting at the end

Sue Sylvester (right), coach of the cheerleaders, is not to happy about the new Glee club at her high school

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RTL Radio France scoop causes a stir Dominique Paillé, spokesperson for the UMP, was on air at RTL Radio France – another scoop for France’s number one radio station, that was soon taken up by many international media. France - 17 August 2010

ARD’s televised news programme Tagesschau covers the RTL Radio France scoop on the Friday evening edition of the show

Appearing on RTL Radio France’s morning show, which is hosted by Vincent Parizot and followed by 4.13 million listeners on average each day, is a must for every politician who counts. On 14 August, Dominique Paillé answered questions posed by the station’s journalist Philippe Corbé regarding the heated criticism directed at the French government by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimi- nation. The “made in RTL” news was subsequently taken up by many international media, including Germany’s public channel ARD, which used images from the interview with the UMP (France’s ruling party) spokesperson shot in the rue Bayard studios on its main news programme Tagesschau.

As for the content of the news: beginning of August the UN committee strongly criticised recent statements by President Nicolas Sarkozy regarding the Roma – criticism rejected categorically by the UMP. Dominique Paillé responded on RTL Radio France, pointing out the composition of the UN committee, a committee that is made up of “people who come from countries which absolutely do not respect human rights”; he reminded listeners that France is incontestably “a country that respects democratic and republican principles as well as human rights and that, secondly, France possesses what is probably the most abundant and effective anti-racist legislative arsenal in the world”. 17 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

“We make a lot happen” In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Gert Zimmer, CEO of RTL Radio Deutschland, talked about the new German Radio Gert Zimmer Award, cooperation with public-service radio, and the Internet. Germany - 26 July 2010

Zimmer began the interview – a double inter- Asked about the competition presented by the view with him and his public-service counterpart Internet, Gert Zimmer and Joachim Knuth are in Joachim Knuth, radio director at the public agreement: “Radio use has actually increased broadcaster NDR – by confirming that commer- recently,” beams Zimmer. Knuth adds: “Your cial radio and public-service radio have been question suggests that we’d already been working together in the Radiozentrale for some written off. The opposite is the case. We are, time now. “It’s an organisation dedicated to mar- in fact, alive and well.” This is true for commer- keting the genre ‘contemporary radio’,” explains cial and public-service stations alike. Zimmer Zimmer. “All the occasional differences that we continues: “We look at how we can expand and have on media policy issues aside, there is great enhance our programming in the online realm agreement between public-service and commer- – video, extra information, service, comedy, cial radio when it comes to genre marketing.” For interactive use options. Social communities play instance, the organisation strives to emphasise a big role, too.” the importance of radio as a medium and draw attention to its excellent reach, which often goes unnoticed. “We make a lot happen, but are frequently not perceived as doing so by the public,” says Zimmer. Radiozentrale is working to change this.

The Radiozentrale also served as the bridge between commercial radio and the German Radio Award, which is administered and organ- ised by public service as well as commercial stations. “We discuss and plan everything together, and jointly put it into practice, too,” so Zimmer. “As for the awards, both sides will be able to win in any of the categories. We didn’t construct any artificial categories, but ones that reflect contemporary radio. The protagonists and the listeners can identify with them.” Each station can submit three entries for the German Radio Awards. In the middle of August, a judging panel appointed by the Grimme Institute will shortlist three finalists per category. The awards themselves will be presented on 17 September in Hamburg. 18 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

Hungary’s most influential personalities Toplista Emberek, Arcok, a joint publication by Figyelo and United Publisher, lists the most interesting personalities in Hungarian public life – and they include several RTL Klub presenters and executives such as RTL Klub CEO Dirk Gerkens.

Dirk Gerkens Hungary - 29 July 2010

Figyelo is a Hungarian business and news mag- The top 10 most popular stand-up comedians azine. Published weekly, the magazine covers a listed by Toplista Emberek Arcok include Sándor broad range of subjects, such as politics, busi- Badár, Ádám Kiss, Zoltán Kohalmi and Tibor ness, economy, society, technology and to some Bödocs who regularly appear on RTL Klub’s extent culture. In Hungary it is perceived as an comedy format Showder Klub. And finally, Éva impartial source of information. In its current Barabás (Fókusz – RTL Klub’s daily boulevard issue it has compiled several lists of important magazine) and Antónia Eros (News anchorwom- people from different areas of society. The result an) are listed among the country’s most effective is a 148-page publication that offers readers a fundraisers. comprehensive insight into today’s public life.

RTL Klub’s personalities reached relatively high rankings on the Toplista Emberek, Arcok lists. RTL Klub’s CEO Dirk Gerkens (see teaser pic- ture) ranks 10th in the list of Hungary’s most influential people alongside others such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Sándor Csányi, CEO and chairman of OTP, the region’s biggest bank; Zsolt Hernádi, head of the MOL Group, one of the biggest oil companies in the region; and Tamás Fellegi, Minister of National Development.

Among the nine most influential experts in the media industry, the publication lists five RTL Klub personages: Tamás Kalamár, producer of the popular RTL Klub series Barátok közt and Szeress most!; Péter Herman, creative producer of the channel’s daily shows Mónika and Balázs- show and creator of Gyozike-show as well as Marry me, Daniel!, Saturday Night Fever, A Star is Born, and the local versions of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and the upcoming X-Faktor; Gáspár Gyozo, Host of the Gyozike-show; Balázs Sebestyén, host of the Balázs-show, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, Take it or Leave it, Poker Face and X-Faktor; and Mónika Erdélyi, host of the Mónika-show and the daily morning show Reggeli. Balázs Sebestyén 19 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

A top-notch jury for Hungary Grundy Light Entertainment produces local adaptations of FremantleMedia’s The X Factor for Vox in Germany and RTL Klub in Hungary. The company announced details about the Hungarian show’s jury. Miklós Malek, Ildikó Keresztes and Péter Geszti Germany / Hungary - 5 August 2010

The judges on X-Faktor, as the show is known in Hungary, will be Feró Nagy, Péter Geszti, Miklós Malek and – the only woman – Ildikó Keresz- tes. All of them have written their own chapters in Hungarian music history. Feró Nagy rose to fame in the 1980s with his band Beatrice and its gold and platinum records. Péter Geszti and Ildikó Keresztes, too, have already achieved what many dream of: millions of records sold and gold and platinum awards. Miklós Malek, on the other hand, turns others into international stars – the producer/songwriter works in Hollywood with stars like J.Lo, Anastacia, Faith Evans, Donna Summer and others.

The shows will be presented by Nóra Ördög and Balázs Sebestyén. Although both have moderated numerous formats in the past, this is the first time they will be appearing together.

The auditions attracted more than 6,000 singers; the remaining 153 candidates then went on to “boot camp” before stepping out to prove their skills on the big stage. In the live shows, three acts per category – 16 to 24 males (“Boys”), 16 to 24 females (“Girls”), Over 25s, and Groups – Nóra Ördög and Balázs Sebestyén will compete to determine who has the ‘X Factor’.

X-Faktor is produced jointly by Grundy Light Entertainment and IKO Productions for RTL Klub and will kick off on 28 August.

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Complementing digital channel Grupo Antena 3’s new digital channel Nitro took up its regular operation on 23 August, and caters primarily to men aged 35 to 55, with a mix consisting mainly of movies, sport and US series. Spain - 2 August 2010

“The new channel not only closes a gap in our such as the seventh and eighth seasons of 24 group’s profile, but a gap in the Spanish TV mar- and the TV movie 24: Redemption. The new ket,” comments Bernd Reichart, Managing channel will also air the series Law & Director of the digital channels Neox, Order: Criminal Intent, Flashpoint, Nova and Nitro, adding: “We are Rush and Southland and takes convinced that by appealing to over Without A Trace, which was a male audience, we are tap- previously shown on Antena ping great new potential in the 3. Nitro’s film library includes Spanish market.” The group’s For more information: Paramount and MGM titles, existing digital channels, www. with films includingCollateral , which have now been on air The Lords of Steel, Walk- for five years, focus on other antenna3.com/ ing Tall and Transporter 3 to target audiences: Neox caters nitro be aired under the Nitrocine primarily to younger audiences, label. “But of course we while Nova specialises in the will start showing more own female demographic. Reichart ex- productions after the launch. We plains: “The launch of the new chan- will cover all the TV genres that are nel creates a good complementary range relevant for our target demographic.“ for the whole family.” Last year, Neox and Nova had more than dou- The new channel’s programming will consist bled their viewer market share. The two Grupo primarily of US series, based on exclusive con- Antena 3 channels recently recorded the best tracts with three of the major studios – Warner, ratings since they first went on air in 2005, scor- Fox and Universal. “Roughly 85 per cent of the ing a joint viewer market share of 6.28 percent weekly programme will consist of US content,” on 12 August – the third channel, Nitro, is to explains Reichart. The series include classics keep all of Grupo Antena 3’s digital channels like X Files and Columbo, as well as premieres permanently over this mark.

21 The most watched programme in France this summer

With 4.9 million viewers on average and an audience share of 31.9 per cent among share of housewives under 50, the romantic docu-reality show achieved the programme’s best ratings ever. Loïc and Stéphanie met in 2008 thanks to the show and her baby boy Gaby just arrived: “This is the finality of the show”, declared Loïc, “this is exactly what we wish the other participants”. week 34 the RTL Group intranet

The German TV market in July Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels scored 33.3 per cent of the market in July, outperforming the channels of ProSiebenSat1, which attracted 29.2 per cent of Germany’s TV viewers. N-TV reports its best monthly market share of the year to date. Germany - 2 August 2010

A good start to the summer In July 2010, the major programmes on M6 continued to gather audiences. On average, M6 achieved a total audience share of 10.0 per cent during the day and 10.9 per cent in the strategic noon to midnight time slot. With a 3.0 per cent total audience share nationwide, W9 is the DTT channel that drew the most viewers for the 19th consecutive month. France - 3 August 2010

Spanish digital channels score historic ratings Shortly before Grupo Antena 3’s third digital channel starts its regular broadcast operations on 23 August, Neox and Nova together scored a 6.28 per cent share of the viewer market on 12 August, the best ratings since they first went on the air. Spain - 16 August 2010

Germany’s first broadcaster app featuring live TV Viewers can now watch live streams of numerous RTL Television programmes, as well as many video clips from RTL’s programming, directly in the RTL App on their iPhone or using an Internet connection on their iPod touch. Germany - 23 July 2010

Los Protegidos first TV series in 3D Los Protegidos, (The Protected) was the revelation series in Spain last year. For its return, Antena 3 set a milestone by showing the first episode in 3D.

Spain - 23 July 2010 23 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

Lead extended The annual Saisoncheck performed by the media newswire Kress ranks Grundy Light Entertainment number one – just like the parent company UFA. Germany - 27 July 2010

An in-depth insight into The X Factor world FremantleMedia Enterprises and Syco Entertainment have announced the launch of a new magazine under The X Factor brand in the United Kingdom. The magazine will be published by Haymarket Network. United Kingdom - 28 July 2010

UFA Sports launches branch in Asia UFA Sports has partnered with Asian sports rights specialists Tom Houseman and Jeff Chue to launch a joint venture: UFA Sports Asia will aim to stimulate the greater competition in the Asian sports business and to establish superior servicing benchmarks. Germany - 28 July 2010

The French love Twilight Distributed in France by the Société nouvelle de distribution (SND, a subsidiary of Groupe M6), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse has already drawn 3.18 million spectators to cinemas. France - 28 July 2010

Five seconds to fame Russkiy Illusion and Illusion+ present the Russian micromovie festival Shots in cooperation with Akado. Russia - 29 July 2010

An exciting music event Australia’s most prestigious music event, the ARIA Awards, will this year be produced by FremantleMedia Australia in a glittering live broadcast on Network Ten. Australia - 30 July 2010 24 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

Warner Bros. blockbusters now available on demand After signing agreements with NBC Universal for series including Dr. House and Monk, RTL Interactive recently also signed deals with Warner Bros. for a set of blockbusters and popular series. Germany - 3 August 2010

The search has only just begun After Greek Idol ended on 28 June with Valanto Trifonos emerging as the winner, Alpha TV confirmed that the talent show will return for a second season next year. Germany - 24 August 2010

Expanded online portfolio IP Deutschland will market the official website of the German Football League from now on. With its high-quality content and 1.8 million unique users, Bundesliga.de provides an ideal environment for advertisers. Germany - 6 August 2010

A new record in news videos The N-TV.de news website scored its best ratings ever in July, when it generated 2.3 million video views. Germany - 10 August 2010

Now Holland’s voices can audition via radio Since beginning of August, candidates for the talent show The Voice of Holland can audition via Radio 538 as well. The Netherlands - 11 August 2010

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Marking Ramadan During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, RTL II has been broadcasting daily notifications of sunrise and sunset, the beginning and ending times of the daily fast. Germany - 11 August 2010

RTL Sport on your iPhone Just imagine having all sports news and videos available anywhere and at any time! Well, that dream has now come true, thanks to a clever innovation by RTL Belgium designed for mobile Internet users who happen to be sports addicts. Belgium - 13 August 2010

Vox now broadcasts from Deutz Following the successful transfer of Super RTL’s broadcasting operations, Vox too began broadcasting from the new premises in Cologne-Deutz, including its Austrian and Swiss programming. Germany - 17 August 2010

Nothing’s too much trouble when covering a football match Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. France: For the first time ever in France, M6 will include live 3D analysis during its coverage of this second Euro 2012 qualifier, due to be aired on the channel at 20:35 on Tuesday, 7 September. France - 20 August 2010

Now available for Android smartphones N-TV expands its portfolio of apps to include an application for Android smartphone. The free app will be exclusively preinstalled on the Samsung Galaxy S I9000 for four weeks. Starting in mid-September, the application can then be downloaded for any smartphone from the Android market. Germany - 24 August 2010

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People Lorenzo Mieli

Lorenzo Mieli Italy - 26 July 2010

FremantleMedia has announced the appoint- ment of Lorenzo Mieli as Managing Director of FremantleMedia Italia SpA.

Lorenzo Mieli will be based in Rome and report to Monica Galer, FremantleMedia’s Head of Northern and Southern Europe. In his new position, Mieli will lead FremantleMedia’s production operations and business development activities in Italy, working with broadcast and non-broadcast partners to leverage the FremantleMedia brand within the Italian media market. FremantleMedia Italia SpA was formerly known as Grundy Italia SpA, and is the market leading production arm of FremantleMedia in Italy.

Monica Galer, Head of Northern and South- ern Europe, FremantleMedia, said: “We are delighted that Lorenzo will be leading Fremantle- Media’s efforts to build upon our presence in the Italian market with our new company name of FremantleMedia Italia. Lorenzo has a very strong background in the Italian television industry, with a history of creating inspiring entertainment for audiences in Italy and worldwide. His experience makes him ideally placed to drive our creative and commercial efforts in Italy, working as part of FremantleMedia’s broader global network.”

Lorenzo Mieli, Managing Director, FremantleMedia Italia, said: “I am glad to have joined the FremantleMedia Group and I look forward to working on new and exciting projects and to expanding the company in the Italian market.”

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People Jörg Taubitz Jörg Taubitz Germany - 27 July 2010

Jörg Taubitz takes over the five-strong UFA Taubitz brings years of professional media and Sports marketing team at 1. FC Union Berlin. sales experience to managing the team in Ber- lin. “I greatly look forward to this new role,” says In March of this year, UFA Sports had signed a Taubitz. “The team is very motivated and togeth- ten-year marketing cooperation agreement with er, we will actively assist 1. FC Union Berlin in the 1. FC Union Berlin football club. The sports realising its ambitious goals in the years ahead.” marketing company supports the second-league team in marketing its range of media, advertising and hospitality space.

People Mandy Scheller Mandy Scheller Germany - 2 August 2010

Mandy Scheller, 34, will head the New Media Mandy Scheller previously worked for the & Audiotainment department at Radio Center Radioholding RTL Radio Deutschland in Berlin Berlin effective immediately. She succeeds as a project manager in the Strategy and Busi- Joachim Radünz, who left the company at the ness Development department. Here, the focus end of July. of her work was on online strategies and the development of digital business models and In her new role, Scheller will supervise the strategic partnerships. Scheller also developed online strategy of the Berlin radio stations the new online city portal Top10Berlin.de, which 104.6 RTL and 105’5 Spreeradio, the develop- was successfully established on the market. ment of line and brand extensions and the marketing of Radio Center Berlin’s extensive “In Mandy Scheller, we welcome a highly quali- comedy portfolio. She reports directly to Stephan fied leader who has already proven her qualities Schmitter, Managing Director of Radio Center and merits at various companies. I am delighted Berlin. to work with her on actively advancing digital radio and providing new impetus in this sector, which is an important one for us,” says Stephan Schmitter. 28 week 34 the RTL Group intranet

People Nigel Lythgoe North AMerica - 9 August 2010 Nigel Lythgoe

Nigel Lythgoe will return as an Executive Pro- Nigel Lythgoe is co-founder of Big Red 2 Enter- ducer of American Idol. He joins Executive tainment, a company he set up with Idol creator Producers Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Simon Fuller and CKX. Lythgoe is also co-crea- Ken Warwick for the milestone tenth anniversary tor and executive producer of the Emmy Award- season of American Idol, premiering January winning series So You Think You Can Dance. His 2011. other Executive Producer credits include seven seasons of American Idol. While serving as the “Since we launched the original Pop Idol in show’s Executive Producer, American Idol was England, I’ve remained close with Simon Fuller. nominated for 47 Emmy Awards, and in 2007, Working as executive producer on American received the prestigious Governors’ Award, the Idol for its first seven years not only was an Television Academy’s highest honor, for Idol inspirational journey into the heart of American Gives Back, which he executive produced. pop culture, it opened my eyes to the untapped potential of the incredibly dynamic young peo- American Idol is created and executive produced ple in this world. I have been able to continue by Simon Fuller, founder, 19 Entertainment; and discovering raw talent on So You Think You Can executive produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Dance, which I co-created with Simon,” said CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Ken Lythgoe. “American Idol became a juggernaut Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia of epic proportions, but to me it was always like North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, president, home. I am elated and honored to be rejoining Big Red 2 Entertainment. childhood friend and fellow Executive Producer Ken Warwick, and look forward to creating more magic.”

“I am so happy to be welcoming Nigel back to the Idol family. He is without doubt the most accomplished Executive Producer I have ever worked with. Nigel helped to define the show I created almost ten years ago, mentoring our judging panel and nurturing our talent. His un- bridled passion has been missed,” said Ameri- can Idol creator and Executive Producer Simon Fuller. “This year, with Idol celebrating our tenth season as the world’s biggest and most power- ful TV show, I felt it was an important time to col- laborate with Nigel once again to help redefine American Idol and take us through to the next incarnation of the show.”

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People Emmanuelle Namiech Emmanuelle Namiech United Kingdom - 11 August 2010

FremantleMedia Enterprises has appointed As part of her new role at FME, Emmanuelle will Emmanuelle Namiech as its Senior Vice be working alongside Jeff Tahler, SVP, Acquisi- President Content & Development for Europe, tions & Development for the Americas, based the Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific. in Los Angeles. She will also be working quite closely with Paul Ridley, EVP, Asia-Pacific on Ellender commented: “FME is exceptionally driving the FME portfolio of IP and third-party placed to drive the creation of new high quality relationships in that region. This integrates syn- content for a worldwide audience as well as de- ergistically into the acquisitions responsibilities velop and expand on the content currently within Paul is now charged with after his promotion the FME portfolio as a part of its global rights last year, strengthening FME’s position in the business. Emmanuelle’s past experience across marketplace. The recent addition of Nathalie all genres and the strong relationships she has Drouaire to spearhead European develop- within the industry internationally will further ce- ment and co-financed English-language drama ment FME’s stronghold in nurturing first class production underscores the strong investment relationships with IP creators.” FME is putting behind its innovative content with international appeal. Before joining FME Namiech was Director of Content Acquisition at ITV Global Entertainment, where she was responsible for overall management of its content and building the company’s portfolio. Previous to ITV Global, she was Direc- tor of Acquisitions & Co-productions at Granada International, ITV and served as Territory and Co-Productions Manager at Carlton Interna- tional, Carlton Communications where she built up a successful career during her time at the organisation.

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People Peter van der Vorst The Netherlands - 18 August 2010

Presenter Peter van der Vorst has signed a new Peter van der Vorst says: “I’m honoured that two-year contract with RTL 4. RTL 4 has placed its trust in me again and am delighted to have been given the opportunity to Peter van der Vorst has been the resident royal continue with Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren, which correspondent for RTL Boulevard since the show is the kind of show I’ve always dreamed of pre- began back in 2001 and Friday, 20 August sees senting.” the start of the third series of his in-depth interview show Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren (Van der For Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren the journalist Vorst Meets the Stars). has interviewed international stars such as Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as well as Dutch ce- Erland Galjaard, Programme Director for RTL lebrities including Andre van Duin, Frans Bauer 4, says: “Peter is a well-trained journalist and and André Rieu. In the upcoming third series, knows how to apply his journalistic skills in an he will be meeting more famous faces in their entertainment environment – a mix of talent own homes, among them Armin van Buuren and which makes him an extremely valuable asset Larry Hagman, as well as catching up with Julia for programmes such as RTL Boulevard and Roberts in Rome. Peter will also be on the set of Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren.” the new Harry Potter film.

People Caroline Hart United Kingdom - 19 August 2010

FremantleMedia Entreprises (FME) has ap- In her new role Caroline will be bringing The pointed Caroline Hart as Content Consultant to Thames Television catalogue to life, sorting research, catalogue and digitise The Thames through 24 years and 100,000+ hours of pro- Television archive. gramming by prioritising the most relevant docu- mentaries and programmes ranging from topics Cordon Craig, Head of Archive Sales, com- including politics, welfare, climate change and mented: “We are delighted to have Caroline join- the economy. Further to these responsibilities, ing the team. She has developed an impressive Caroline will also be looking into the potential network and outstanding experience over the representation and acquisition of further cata- course of her career. Her experience and exper- logues for FME. tise as a researcher, cataloguer and manager is immensely valuable to FME as we continue to modernise and delve into our Thames Television archive.”

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