The Grand Finale Tom Sänger Talks About Season Five of Deutschland Sucht Den Superstar

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Newsletter 15 May 2008 The Grand Finale Tom Sänger talks about season five of Deutschland sucht den Superstar

Germany EUR 100,000 for cyclone victims in Burma Five Bavarian TV Awards for RTL Group companies United Kingdom TalkbackThames picks up Rose d’Or Award France M6, the educational channel The Grand Finale m Sänger talks about season five of eutschland sucht den Superstar

COVER: The two DSDS finalists: Fady Maalouf (left) and Thomas Godoj.

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“Success compels us to continue” Next Saturday, 17 May, the fifth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar ends with the final sing-off between Thomas Godoj and Fady Maalouf – a good time for us to talk to Tom Sänger, head of entertainment at RTL Television in Cologne, about the show, its secret to success and its future. Tom Sänger Germany - 15 May 2008

Season five of the wildly popular talent show the season was that DSDS was again a hot Deutschland sucht den Superstar (DSDS), the topic, with plenty of relevance for our society.” German version of the international hit format Idols, kicked off on 23 January 2008. The for- By now, things have quieted down again – in mat has been sold to 35 countries since its that respect at least – because since the recalls inception. and the live shows began, the main focus has been firmly on the singing, the candidates and From the beginning, viewers in Germany loved their stories. the auditions, the recalls and the various live theme shows. But there were critical voices rai- Tom Sänger looks forward to next Saturday’s sed as well, and by the time a candidate had a finale, when a show extravaganza and a sensa- breakdown at an audition in Cologne, the tional sing-off await fans. Finalists Thomas and debate was in full swing: DSDS is harmful to Fady make this the third time in a row that two minors, it was said, and the show’s primary aim men have made it to the finale of the popular is to ridicule people. The comments of jury show. The press hazards that this is because member Dieter Bohlen in particular came under the fans who call in to vote for the candidates fire while other journalists defended him. In the tend to be female – so Linda Teodisiu, 16, lost German tabloid Bild, Gerhard Zeiler, CEO of out last Saturday. “I spent about a second RTL Group, responded: “Dieter Bohlen’s com- debating whether we shouldn’t perhaps chan- ments are about as harmful to minors as pop ge the rules at short notice and admit three music or an Asterix comic.” candidates to the finale because of the high quality,” jokes Tom Sänger, but quickly adds, “I “I often felt this discussion was hypocritical and would have probably gotten into big trouble sanctimonious. It seemed to me as if some of with the licensors.” the critics were simply jumping on the bandwa- gon of knocking something that has made RTL In all, RTL Television is very happy with how the so successful and popular”, Tom Sänger, head fifth season is going. Although at 29.3 per cent of entertainment at RTL Television, said and the average market share among 14- to 49- added, “Human dignity is a valuable asset. So year-olds is slightly below the previous sea- it is not a suitable topic for a debate on tastes, son’s average, it is still well above the channel’s where a small number of critics set out to tell average. “Our market shares are, with few throngs of viewers or the nearly 30,000 people exceptions, very stable, approaching 30 per who auditioned what’s good for them and what cent among young audiences, and that's in isn’t. However, it was also interesting to obser- season five. DSDS is the most popular show ve that the critics in turn were criticised for their series on German TV among 14- to 49-year- dogmatic attitude. Basically, the bottom line for olds. We have every reason to be extremely

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satisfied, but still, after the finale we will take our time to review what we could do even bet- ter”, Tom Sänger explained. More and more fans are accessing the RTLnow.de website, where the shows may be viewed free of charge. Clips from the format have been viewed a total of 50 million times on RTL’s various Internet platforms.

On 5 April, world-class performer Mariah Carey joined the remaining candidates to share a few helpful hints for their race for the Superstar title. This was the first time an international celebrity appeared on Deutschland sucht den Superstar and coached the candidates.

A few days ago, Mark Medlock, the fourth-sea- son winner, released his latest single Summer Love, taking it straight to No.1 in the German single charts, sending Madonna to the second place. This is Medlock’s third number-one pla- cement in the single charts. It remains to be seen whether his successor will be able to match this performance.

On Saturday, Fady Maalouf and Thomas Godoj will perform three songs each – and each of them will be singing a title written specifically for them, to be released as a single following the show. And while the winner’s career runs its course with a Sony BMG recording contract, a

Mariah Carey

DSDS judges: Dieter Bohlen, Anja Lukaseder and Andreas "Bär" Läsker 4 week 20 the RTL Group intranet

team of producers, tours and performances and the rest, RTL Television will already be pre- The show in Facts and figures: paring the sixth season. “Success compels us to continue,” says Tom Sänger. “We will review A total of 100,439 people auditioned the concept and make more changes than we for all five seasons. have in previous seasons. I firmly believe that long-term success depends on systematically 28,290 candidates auditioned for the fifth season alone. evolving the concept. A programme brand can run very long, if you resolutely pay attention to On average, 5.33 million viewers its ongoing evolution, the unpredictability of ages 3 and over watched the shows events, and the fact that programming mana- in season five. This translates to a gers must never rest on their laurels, but must market share of 17.8 per cent. be critical precisely when things are at their best, and ignite the next stage in the develop- Among 14- to 49-year-olds, the market share was 29.3 per cent. On ment. We will examine everything, because that average, 3.39 million young viewers is the only way to take big strides. We already watch the talent show. responded to factual criticism on the issue of minors in the media during the present season, Last year's winner Mark Medlock and have broadcast ‘edited’ reruns in our day- earned gold and platinum records for time programming.” his debut project Mr. Lonely. His latest single Summer Love entered Meanwhile, there are other interesting formats the German single charts at No.1 this ahead for viewers in the Saturday evening time week, bumping Madonna down to slot, as Tom Sänger said: “We are already at an No.2. His new album Cloud Dancer advanced stage of planning the upcoming sea- will be released on 30 May. son: I believe in the return of family game shows and strong standalone theme shows to Saturday evening TV. In July and August, we But first, on Saturday, 17 May, starting at 20.15, will present the specific formats to our adverti- Germany’s new idol will be crowned, but Tom sing customers and the media. One thing is Sänger refused to comment on his favourite: certain: there will be further ‘talent search’ “I’m not about to reveal his name since I, too, shows: Das Supertalent (Got Talent) enters its abide by the show’s concept, which is that the second round, and we're working on the viewers decide. I feel they’ve done an excellent Singing Office format – RTL Group employees job of that to date, and I’m counting on them to take note.” do so again during the finale.”

The Finalists:

Thomas Godoj: Fady Maalouf: ‘King of Rock’ ‘Emperor of Soft Sounds’ “You really rock the stage,” The 29-year-old sang his way said Dieter Bohlen, commen- into listeners’ hearts with his ding the 30-year-old musician interpretation of Patrick during a theme show. Godoj Swayze’s She’s Like the Wind. was born in Rybnik, Poland, “That performance put you in and emigrated to Germany with his family in the group of favourites,” Dieter Bohlen prai- 1986. Godoj no longer works in the field he sed him. Maalouf was born in Lebanon from was trained for – design draughtsman – pre- where, after being hit by shrapnel several ferring to concentrate instead on music and times during the civil war, he finally fled to writing songs. He and his two bands Cure of France with his family. He studied fashion Soul and Wink have played a number of design, worked for a number of designers, concerts and received several newcomer speaks five languages fluently, and most awards. recently worked in Hamburg.

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Who will be the Supertalent of 2008? Following the high ratings seen last fall for the first season of Das Supertalent, RTL Television is again looking for Germany’s biggest entertainment talent. Auditions started on 12 May. Germany - 13 May 2008

Since Whit Monday, 12 May, RTL Television has As many as six million viewers tuned in to RTL been calling on talented people to demonstra- Television to watch the finale of the first season te their outstanding abilities in six German of Das Supertalent on 3 November, 2007. cities. Anyone who hasn’t applied yet can still Ricardo Marinello, a shy young tenor wowed do so at open audition days in Cologne, the judges – and especially the audience – with Hamburg, Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt and Erfurt. his moving rendition of Time to Say Goodbye. Das Supertalent (Got Talent) is a talent show They picked the 19-year-old high school stu- where anything is possible. Everyone is given a dent as the show’s winner, Das Supertalent of chance to prove their prowess, no matter how 2007. Ricardo is using his EUR 100,000 grand bizarre or outlandish their endowment: acro- prize to pay for a university degree in voice bats, singers, dancers, fire-eaters, ventrilo- and has already released his first album, quists and ballet dancers, magicians, pianists, The Beginning. directors of mouse circu- ses, and tiger tamers, preschoolers and pensio- ners, humans and ani- mals, alone or in a group – Das Supertalent has no pre-set restrictions.

Ricardo Marinello, winner of the 2007’s edition

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EUR 100,000 in emergency relief for cyclone victims in Burma The ‘Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.’ foundation is providing EUR 100,000 in emergency aid for the countless victims of Cyclone ‘Nargis’. Germany - 15 May 2008

It was one of the worst natural disasters to hit Wolfram Kons, who oversees RTL’s charity acti- Asia since the tsunami in winter of 2004. vities, said: “Just because there are few reports Cyclone ‘Nargis’ swept the coast of Burma, and pictures from the disaster region, and the known today as Myanmar, sending waves three government is blocking international aid and meters high crashing onto its shores and lea- coverage, we must by no means ignore the ving 34,000 people dead, more than 30,000 people and especially the children who are suf- missing, and 1.5 million people in desperate fering. Our priority is to act quickly and unbu- need of help (figures on 14 May 2008). reaucratically when such disasters hit. Our partners at Welthungerhilfe are already in the The ‘Stiftung RTL – Wir helfen Kindern e.V.’ hard-hit regions and are now in a position to foundation has responded by donating 100,000 actually help the victims on the ground.” euros in emergency relief funds. Through the Welthungerhilfe, the money will be used to dis- tribute the basic food and sanitary items nee- ded for survival, and to build emergency shel- ters.

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M6, the educational channel By screening two documentaries on the modern history of the Jewish people and reporting in depth on this month’s rightful celebration of the creation of the State of Israel under David Ben- Gurion in May 1948, M6 is unlocking a chapter of seminal history for its viewers. France - 15 May 2008

M6 is pulling off a tour de force by explaining in wers with a spellbinding story of men, women simple terms a really complex situation that and children who found themselves caught up unleashes strong emotions in people. All in all, in a tide of suffering and anguish. To bring his- it’s an awesome achievement. tory to life and make it more accessible to the public, the producers opted mainly to use origi- D’Auschwitz à Jérusalem (From Auschwitz to nal colour images created at the time. Some Jerusalem) and Israël-Palestine, 60 ans de vio- archive material was colourised and the maps lence (Israel and Palestine: 60 years of violen- were produced in 3D. ce) aired during the second part of the evening on 8 and 11 May respectively. M6 opted to M6 is now something of an old hand at probing recount these major historical events by telling major contemporary issues. In 2005 the chan- a story that focussed on families and indivi- nel broadcast Hitler, la folie d'un homme. This duals, an idea praised for its originality in the 4 was followed in 2006 by Quand l’Algérie était May edition of the French daily Le Monde. française (When Algeria Was French) and in 2007 by Staline, le tyran rouge (Stalin, the Red D’Auschwitz à Jérusalem and Israël-Palestine Tyrant). M6 also acquired the rights to this were the fruits of several years of research and, archive footage for school broadcasts to give thanks to amateur film footage and photos teachers the free use of the two documentaries sourced in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and in classrooms to show them to their pupils. the United States, M6 was able to present vie-

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RTL Interactive continues to expand its mobile portal German mobile phone users can now find even more information on programmes aired by RTL Television. In addition, Yahoo! OneSearch, the mobile online search engine, is now an integral part of the service. Germany - 00 May 2008

The expansion of RTL Television’s mobile por- Robert Fahle, Head of Mobile Media at RTL tal is centred around RTL Television’s strong Interactive, said: “The ongoing development of programme brands. For instance, from now on, RTL’s mobile portal will make it the free gate- the mobile page of the daily soap Gute Zeiten, way par excellence to the mobile Web, a place schlechte Zeiten (GZSZ) will be available onli- where everyone can receive extensive services ne. At the GZSZ mobile address fans of the on all the relevant topics, including news, wea- series will find out all they want to know about ther, music, sport, stars and TV. Furthermore, their favourite stars, get a sneak preview of the the integrated search engine Yahoo! next episode and gain access to extensive OneSearch serves as a springboard to any image galleries. There are also plenty of new other mobile website.” features in the portal’s sports section, whose new Formula 1 live ticker will inform motor racing fans in real time about what’s happening on the circuit. Football fans, too, can always be up to date simply by looking up the live results of Bundesliga games. And in the game accompanying the TV show Einer gegen Hundert quiz fans can test their own knowledge directly on their mobile phone. Moreover, use of the portal’s services is free, so the only charges users will have to pay are those levied by their mobile ope- rator for the respective data transfers.

Another new feature is the integration into RTL’s mobile phone portal of Yahoo! OneSearch. The two main advantages of check out this innovative search engine are that it has been optimised for display on mobile mobil.rtl.de phone screens and can also evaluate results locally. For example, anyone trying to find out where a certain film is being shown will be given the programmes of cinemas near them.

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Five Bavarian TV Awards for RTL Group companies Three German RTL Group companies – Teamworx, Phoenix Film and RTL Television – came away with prizes at the 2008 Bavarian TV Awards. The winners were Alexandra Neldel, Katharina Wackernagel, Axel Milberg, Thomas Präkelt and Hape Kerkeling. Germany - 14 May 2008

Alexandra Neldel won the “Best Actress in a In the category “Information programmes”, Series or Miniseries” award for her performan- Thomas Präkelt received an award as Best ce in the crime series Unschuldig (Innocent) Producer for the RTL Television format Die produced by Teamworx for ProSieben. Neldel Arbeitsbeschaffer. plays Anna Winter, a lawyer whose team reo- pens spectacular cases of innocently convicted Hape Kerkeling won a prize for the show people and tries to catch the real culprits by Kerkeling liest – Ich bin dann mal weg unusual means. (Kerkeling reads – Right, I’m Off Then) which was broadcast on RTL Television. The judges Axel Milberg received the Best Actor in the commended him for reliably striking the right categorie “Series and Miniseries” for his appe- note in talking with the audience about his pil- reance in the ZDF series Doktor Martin. Doktor grimage to Santiago (St. James’ Way), without Martin is produced by Phoenix Film. ever descending into silliness.

Katharina Wackernagel won an award in the The Bavarian TV Award has been awarded “TV Movies” category for various performances annually since 1989 by the Bavarian state including her role in the Teamworx production government for outstanding achievements in Mein Mörder kommt zurück (ZDF; My murderer German television. comes back), a psychodrama in which she plays a young woman who, after testifying against organi- sed crime, is forced to begin a new life through the witness-protection programme. Earlier, the TV Movie had won a special award for best screen- play and audience prize of the rea- ders’ jury at the Wiesbaden FernsehKrimi Festival in 2008, and was nominated for the 2008 Adolf Grimme Award.

Katharina Wackernagel in Mein Mörder kommt zurück

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FremantleMedia Australia scores at the Logie Awards FremantleMedia Australia’s The Choir of Hard Knocks won “Most Outstanding Factual Series” and Stephen Curry picked up the award for “Most Outstanding Actor” at the Logies. Australia - 14 May 2008

The Choir of Hard Knocks, an original format through to a gala launch performance six conceived and developed by FremantleMedia months later. Australia (FMA)’s Director of Development Jason Stephens, follows top tenor and singing Also receiving recognition at the Logies was coach Jonathon Welch as he forms a new and FMA’s critically acclaimed drama The King. Its unlikely choir consisting of members of star, Stephen Curry, was named Most Melbourne’s homeless and disadvantaged Outstanding Actor for his performance. community. First shown on ABC in May 2007, the programme charts the choir’s ups and The Logies are one of Australia’s most impor- downs from recruitment to first rehearsal tant TV-awards given away by the TV-magazine TV Week.

TalkbackThames picks up Rose d’Or Award TalkbackThames’ The IT Crowd was named Best Sitcom at this year’s prestigious international Rose d'Or Awards, held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Tuesday. United Kingdom - 13 May 2008

The series beat off stiff competition from all with the onslaught of tech issues and deman- over Europe, including UK shows Gavin & ding co-workers. “Have you tried turning it off Stacey and The Mighty Boosh. and on again?” and “Are you sure it's plugged in?” are common cries from the depths of The IT Crowd is set in the London offices of Reynholm Industries as Jen, Roy and Moss Reynholm Industries, which is full of glamorous struggle for acceptance and a moment of go-getters and high-flying executives. While peace from the never-ending demands of the their beautiful colleagues work upstairs in posh company. and spacious surroundings, the IT department – Jen, Roy and Moss – lurk below in a dingy Earlier this year, Graham Lineham won the Best basement, scorned by their co-workers as Comedy Writer Award at the Royal Television geeky losers. The show focuses on the high Society Programme Awards. The series also jinks of the socially inept IT trio as they deal received an International Emmy nomination.

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Special Screenings at the UN Nature Conservation Conference in Bonn BUND – the German chapter of Friends of the Earth International and Germany’s largest conservation organisation – and Universum Film are hosting two screenings of the movie Unsere Erde at the UN Nature Conservation Conference in Bonn. Germany - 14 May 2008

At 19.30 on 23 May and 27 May, there will be Unsere Erde, Europe’s most successful nature two special screenings of Unsere Erde (Earth) documentary ever, has attracted 3.4 million vie- in Bonn, followed by a panel discussion. A wers to date, and has done a great deal to number of international guests have been invi- waken the ecological consciousness of many ted to the discussions, including various politi- people, who now wish to become active: “The cians, the Chairman of BUND and the film’s film is a call to action, to get involved in protec- producers. Guests in the audience will include ting what you’ve just finished admiring,” representatives of several chapters of Friends confirms BUND CEO Dr. Gerhard Timm. Some of the Earth international (BUND’s parent orga- 5,000 representatives from all over the world nisation), among them representatives from will come together in Bonn for the 9th UN Colombia, Paraguay, Denmark, Swaziland, Conference to Preserve Biological Diversity, Costa Rica, France, Papua-New Guinea, Sierra which will be held in Bonn from 19 May to 30 Leone and Japan. May, 2008.

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A ratings high Wednesday evening couldn’t have gone better for RTL Television. Raus aus den Schulden (Get out of Debt) with Peter Zwegat hit a new ratings high, and RTL Television’s share of the daily viewer market was far above that of the competition as well. Germany - 9 May 2008

Ticket giveaway for Bon Jovi’s concert The French-speaking Belgian radio station is giving away two tickets to American rock group Bon Jovi’s concert on 14 June 2008 at King Baudouin Stadium, the Brussels leg of the group’s The Lost Highway Tour. To be in with a chance of winning, listeners just need to make a film about the city of Brussels, showing the places, people and landmarks that give the capital its charm. Belgium - 13 May 2008

NBC picks up FremantleMedia Enterprises’ Merlin FremantleMedia Enterprises has announced a landmark deal with the leading US broadcaster, NBC, which has acquired the prestigious new family drama series Merlin for its winter primetime line-up. United Kingdom - 14 May 2008

Creating a children’s paradise During May and June, the children’s and sports channel Club RTL will invite young Belgians aged between 2 and 12 years of age to come and enjoy the Club des Enfants kids’ club, organising a range of fun cultural activities outdoors. Belgium - 15 May 2008

A unique teletext football quiz in the Netherlands During the play-off game between RKC Waalwijk and ADO Den Haag for a place in the Dutch equivalent of the Premier League, for the first time in the Netherlands, the teletext service RTL Text is offering viewers a unique opportunity to test their knowledge of ‘the beautiful game’. The Netherlands - 15 May 2008

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People Marc Schröder appointed Managing Director of RTL Interactive Marc Schröder Germany - 9 May 2008

On 15 August 2008, Marc Schröder (37) will Anke Schäferkordt, CEO of RTL Television, take over from Johannes Züll as Managing commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Marc Director of RTL Interactive, giving him operatio- Schröder to RTL Interactive’s management nal responsibility for RTL’s online and mobile team. His proven expertise in Internet business activities as well as its value-added services. and digital platforms will definitely be valuable, as will his thorough knowledge of He will also be managing the subsidiaries RTL Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, gained during Enterprises and RTL Games and, as a member his previous employment here. He will be res- of the management team, he will contribute to ponsible for the strategic and operational ele- mapping out Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s ments of further developing RTL’s successful strategic corporate development. brands and offers on all digital platforms, both now and in the future.” Marc Schröder is joining Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland after six years at Deutsche Marc Schröder added: “Broadband, new plat- Telekom. He has held the position of Sector forms and business models have all made it Manager there since February 2007, and took onto the mass market. The ever-changing care of international product management for world of digital media is more challenging now the landline provider. than ever before, but it also offers TV operators a wealth of opportunities. In my new role as After studying industrial engineering in Managing Director of RTL interactive and Head Karlsruhe and visiting MIT as a researcher, of Strategic Corporate Development for Marc Schröder began his career at the Boston Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, I will work Consulting Group in Munich and Copenhagen with my colleagues at RTL and its subsidiaries in October 1995. In October 1999, he became to boost Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s Head of Corporate Development at RTL online and digital offer and systematically deve- Television, managing the development of RTL lop RTL’s digital strategy. The experience I gai- Newmedia’s (now RTL Interactive) business ned at Deutsche Telekom will be very helpful.” activities and monitoring progress in his role as Director New Business until 2002.

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People New appointment and new structure at R-Time Gabriella Vidus Hungary - 13 May 2008

R-Time, the largest media sales house in of the brand will be followed by an intensive com- Hungary, changed both its structure and its munication campaign. management in May. Gabriella Vidus has been appointed Executive Director of R-Time and “We develop constantly; a lot of our plans should Commercial Director of RTL Klub. just grow familiar with our clients, like the co- branded sponsorship”, Gabriella Vidus said. “It The former Executive Director of R-Time, Steve basically means associating two brands with the Varcoe, will continue working for RTL Klub as a same show both of which build and strengthen consultant. each other in a way that their common brand characteristic is in the centre of communication.” R-Time also revamped its structure: as from May, the different departments will be controlled by Gabriella Vidus (32) graduated as a marketing their respective directors. Account Director Pál economist from Budapest Business School and Bíró, Strategic Director Krisztina Némethy and the University of Economy in 2000. She started Sales Directors Gergely Dudás and Zsófia her career in 1997 at SBS-owned TV2, before joi- Demeter (RTL Klub, cable channels and online ning RTL Klub in 2000. Since R-Time Sales and activities) are R-Time’s new top managers. This Marketing was established in 2004, she has been transformation of the company and rejuvenation the company’s Deputy Executive Director.

People Jacques Santer’s appointment as Chairman of the Board

Jacques Santer of CLT-UFA renewed Luxembourg - 15 May 2008

The Board of Directors of CLT-UFA, a subsidia- President of the European Commission ry of RTL Group, on 14 May renewed Jacques (1995–1999), has been a member of the Board Santer's appointment as Chairman of the of Directors of CLT-UFA since 2004 and its Board of CLT-UFA for another one-year period. chairman since May 2004. He has also been an independent, non-executive member of the Jacques Santer, former Prime Minister of the RTL Group Board of Directors since December Luxembourg Government (1984–1995) and 2004. 15 http://backstage.rtlgroup.fr http://backstage.rtlgroup.com http://backstage.rtlgroup.de

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