The Smile of the Future Groupe M6 and RTL Belgium Announce Their Next Steps

2 September 2010

week 35

The smile of the future Groupe M6 and RTL Belgium announce their next steps

Germany Croatia Super RTL Now goes online RTL Televizija presents its new season line-up

Belgium Hungary Allo RTL sets up shop Hungarians love X Factor week 35 the RTL Group intranet

2 September 2010

week 35

Cover: Montage with Philippe Delusinne (left) and Nicolas de Tavernost

The smile of the future 2 Groupe M6 and RTL Belgium announce their next steps

Germany Croatia Super RTL Now goes online RTL Televizija presents its new season line-up

Belgium Hungary Allo RTL sets up shop Hungarians love X Factor week 35 the RTL Group intranet

“Adaptable and proactive” RTL Group’s families of channels are about to start their new season in France and Belgium. Nicolas de Tavernost, Chairman of the Board of Groupe M6, and Philippe Delusinne, CEO of RTL Belgium, with their respective teams gave a view of their future plans. Luxembourg - 2 September 2010

In France, the start of the new season is a is a DTT leader, and thanks to its ‘delinearised great time to look back at how Groupe M6 has content’ strategy it is omnipresent on all screens”, performed. “Television is getting back on track Nicolas de Tavernost said. again in France and Europe”, Nicolas de Tavernost pointed out in an interview published in the 29 August 2010 edition of Le Journal du “Many advertisers now Dimanche: “The figures for viewing duration are good and advertising revenues are in fine fettle. understand that, as a The medium is in good shape and our group is medium, the Web can do benefiting as a result.” no more than complement In August, M6 was the only major channel television, which remains to post year-on-year growth, up 1.1 points the mass medium par compared to August 2009. M6’s total audience excellence.” share of 11.2 per cent was its best since October 2009. “We’ve just had our best summer in a long Nicolas de Tavernost, time, with massive success of L’amour est dans Chairman of the Board of Groupe M6 le pré, the summer’s most-watched show on any channel. Our market clout continues to improve with the success of W9, Paris Première and Téva”, said Nicolas de Tavernost.

The Groupe M6 boss set the path for growth: “We plan to launch a new DTT channel in 2011, but first we plan to make some Internet acquisitions.”

“Groupe M6 has always been very adaptable and proactive. As behaviours change, the group offers channels with different personalities to accommodate all tastes, evolving along with the everyday lives of the French people. In a highly competitive environment, the group’s W9

Groupe M6

• M6 programmes will be close to the public

• A row of competition programmes

• Internet acquisitions planned

• New DTT channel to be launched

• M6 apps for iPhone and iPad coming soon

Nicolas de Tavernost 3 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

Philippe Delusinne

M6’s hits can be explained by the Groupe’s skill of Top Chef 2 – a cookery competition open to at delivering programmes in line with what view- 14 professionals, 14 new hopefuls on the French ers want. Bibiane Godfroid, M6 Programming cooking scene – and Un dîner presque parfait: Director, talks about a new season focus- le combat des régions, another competition, but ing on “the exchange of experience” with this one between talented amateurs. The fifth several shows that are “close to the public”. season of La France a un incroyable talent gives This includes L’espoir de unknown artists a chance to l’année, a major national “We aim to shine. competition involving people from many walks of confirm our leader- The network’s signature news life. Hair stylists, butchers, ship while maintaining magazines will of course beauticians, bakers, florists our ‘outsider’ attitude. be back for the 2010/2011 and more will all have a season: Capital, Enquête chance to take part and win. Our mindset and the exclusive, Zone interdite, Produced by Freman- ensuing structures 66 Minutes and the TV news tleMedia France, and must adapt to the will all be on hand to teach, presented by Karine Le inform and enlighten French Marchand, the show will ongoing changes on viewers, while focusing on aim to find those individuals the markets where we the society in which we live. who best embody the values are active.” of their professions. Zéro In Belgium, Philippe de conduite is a brand new Philippe Delusinne, Delusinne is building from CEO of RTL Belgium show presented by Jérôme a strong market position, Anthony and San- without loosing grounds. drine Corman in which seven terrible driv- He told Backstage: “We aim – on our three ers will be put to the test in an effort to television channels, our two radio stations and improve their driving skills. Four experts will judge in the new media – to confirm our leadership their progress and the worst one will win driving while maintaining our ‘outsider’ attitude.” Sitting lessons. The adventure game Pékin Express will on the past successes is no option for the CEO be back, but this time instead of using unknowns of RTL Belgium: “Our mindset and the ensuing it will feature six celebrity duos competing in the structures must adapt to the ongoing changes race of a lifetime. They will cover more than 4,000 and development on the markets where we are kilometres in support of the organisation of their active. By taking this approach our future will be choice. Foodies will be pleased to see the return bright indeed.” 4 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

RTL Belgium

• Keeping the spirit of a challenger

• News programmes for everyone

• Tribute to “the muscles from Brussels”

• Plenty of new American series

• HD programmes just around the corner

For news director Laurent Haulotte news clearly is the main focus of the new season at RTL Belgium. He talked to Backstage about the expertise on the Belgian side of the family. As he puts it, “viewers have an immense hunger for news and we have a powerful information strategy pursued by the news teams at RTL-TVI, Bel RTL and RTLinfo.be. We aim to remain consist- ent and to deliver news that is both accessible and relevant. And we aim to explain complex problems in clear terms.” Above all, the Bel- gian news team has taken up the challenge of targeting as many people as possible and not excluding anyone: “We set out to broadcast news that everyone can access and understand regardless of their age, their level of education or social class”, he added. Belgian viewers Laurent Haulotte appreciate RTL-TVI’s very Belgian approach to RTL-TVI will host a special televised event to the news, and over the years they’ve acquired pay tribute to the world’s best-known Belgian, the habit of turning to one of RTL Belgium’s Jean-Claude van Damme, aka ‘the muscles from media outlets to keep informed about events Brussels’. The channel will also broadcast live going on at home and elsewhere in the world. shows featuring well-known Belgian humour- ists, such as Marc Herman, François Pirette and But television is also about fun, and RTL others. Now in its 38th year on US tel- Belgium knows how to keep its viewers evision, The Price is Right is finally entertained. Stéphane Rosenblatt, director of coming to French-speaking Belgian TV as RTL Belgium’s tel- Le Juste Prix. In the evision channels, said “We set out to broad- gourmet section of that the Belgian fam- the programming ily of channels will once cast news that everyone can schedule, the delec- again “roll out the red access and understand, table Top Chef and carpet for its viewers, regardless of their age, level Un dîner presque offering the very best parfait will be back for in entertainment, news, of education or social class.” their second season. fiction and sport.” Ac- Laurent Haulotte, Un dîner presque cording to Rosenblatt, News Director, RTL Belgium parfait racked up an RTL Belgium aims to impressive total au- satisfy the biggest audience possible. To that dience share of 32 per cent. This will also end, the group’s three channels – RTL-TVI, Club be the second season for L’amour est dans RTL and Plug RTL – will deliver the network’s le pré, the most romantic docu-reality show most dynamic and diversified programming to on Belgian TV. Two major events are on the date. horizon: in January, an evening of glamour with the crowning of the new Miss Belgium, and on 7 May, a demonstration of solidarity and support with Télévie on behalf of cancer sufferers and their families. 5 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

The US serie Glee makes the buzz in each country it is broadcast Dominique Bodarwe will be a participant in the new season of L’amour est dans le pré in Belgium

The Belgian channels will also feature plenty of channel on the Voo, Numericable and new US series. Erwin Lapraille, deputy director Belgacom TV platforms, and all programmes of television channels and an expert on Ameri- will be available in HD by March. can series, often travels to the United States to track down the latest shows and bring back the very best for RTL Belgium’s discerning viewers. This season will feature: NCIS: Los Angeles, FlashForward, Glee, The Good Wife, Harper’s Island, as well as new seasons of CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Desperate Housewives, NCIS, Bones, Cold Case, Numb3rs, Medium, Law & Order Criminal Intent and Law & Order Special Victims Unit. All of these series can, of course, be watched and re-watched on RTL Belgium’s video-on-demand platform, RTL à l’infini.

Autumn 2010 will also see the debut of high-definition (HD) on the Belgian family of channels. “With HD you have five times as many pixels, which means better definition and a clearer picture with more detailed images”, explains RTL Belgium’s IT director, Thierry Piette. Starting on 30 August, RTL-TVI, Club RTL and Plug RTL will each have a high-definition Karine Le Marchand will present L’espoir de l’année and L’amour est dans le pré in France 6 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

SuperRTLNow.de goes online RTL Interactive has launched the new video-on-demand portal SuperRTLNow.de, which now complements its existing catch-up TV service RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de. Germany - 26 August 2010

Visit SuperRTLNow.de

SuperRTLNow.de

Many of the channel’s own primetime produc- Marc Schröder, Managing Director of tions can be viewed at SuperRTLNow.de free of RTL Interactive, adds: “SuperRTLNow.de is charge for seven days after their TV broadcast another step on the path towards giving our during primetime. So Super RTL viewers can viewers all of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s go online to watch Bibi und Rolli, Die lustigsten offerings, anytime and anywhere. We are Schlamassel der Welt and Medicopter 117 at offering with SuperRTLNow.de another plat- their convenience and as often as they like. form that will make our attractive video content As on RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de, the shows available online on demand and in its full length.” will remain available online for a rate starting at EUR 0.99 per episode after the free period expires.

Super RTL’s Managing Director Claude Schmit says: “I am delighted that Super RTL is now part of the ‘Now’ group of video-on-demand sites and that we can offer viewers the option of watching missed shows – or watching their favourite episodes again – online at SuperRTL- Now.de. Naturally our goal is also to reach new target audiences and fans on SuperRTLNow. de, who perhaps aren’t familiar with our TV programming yet.“ 7 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

Big Brother returns to Greece Alpha TV presents a variety of new and continuing formats for the season ahead, among them Big Brother, Deste tous, Kous kous to mesimeri and Mes stin kali xara. Greece - 26 August 2010

Big Brother is returning to Greek television screens after a five-year break. The biggest reality show of all time, which has attracted millions of viewers in more than 70 countries, will be boadcasted on Alpha in a completely revamped Visit version, offering adventure without limits, SuperRTLNow.de impressive missions, and interesting activities. Fourteen candidates will be locked up together in a house for twelve weeks, but only one of them will win the prize of EUR 200,000. Alpha will begin airing the reality show in October 2010.

With Deste tous another well-known pro- Deste tous (Maria Iliaki, Notis Christodoulou, Katerina Kainourgiou, gramme returns for a new and exciting season. Nikos Moutsinas) Nikos Moutsinas and Maria Iliaki will show the happiest sides of life with a twist. This season, a fresh face, Katerina Kainourgiou joins the gang. She made an impression with her guest appearance last year, while Notis Christodoulou will continue to present his own insets, always in a humorous tone.

Kous kous to mesimeri, Alpha’s daytime programme featuring entertainment, music and more, enters its sixth year of being on air. This season, Kous kous to mesimeri will again feature the most interesting and breaking current topics. The show, presented by Katerina Karavatou, has been successful and innovative for six years

now and will continue to be so once more, offer- Mes stin kali xara (Themis Georgantas, Natalia Germanou, ing viewers a communication ‘window’ allowing Sissy Christidou) them to comment on subjects that concerns them. an upbeat mood. Themis Georgantas, famous for his sense of humour and unique one-liners, Alpha’s weekend line-up is colourful, relaxed will be back on the show. Two new faces will and full of joie-de-vivre. Natalia Germanou, with join the team as well: Vasilis Latsios, a journalist Sissy Christidou at her side, will present the and radio producer with a degree in finance and week’s most joyful and carefree moments in sports journalism, will debut on Mes stin kali xara Mes stin kali xara in a fun and straightforward with cover stories and the latest news. The other manner. The programme will be packed with new member is Dimitris Lagiopoulos, a graduate unique topics, weird news, interviews, special who is testing out a TV career. Pavlos Stama- guests, gossip, games, fashion, cooking, music topoulos will also continue for a third year as a and anything else that is likely to put viewers in member of the weekend team. 8 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

New channels and new methods of measurement At this year’s IP Primetime, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels not only presented the upcoming season’s programming to advertisers, but also provided a look ahead at new Pay-TV channels and a new index for measuring the effectiveness of advertising. Germany - 27 August 2010

The weather in Hamburg may have been less “Not all advertising environments are equal,” than inviting on the day of IP Deutschland’s an- Martin Krapf, Managing Director of IP Deutsch- nual IP Primetime event, but the programming land, had already emphasised at past events. presented inside the Curio-Haus was all the The effectiveness of advertising differs depend- more so. Anke Schäferkordt, CEO of Medien- ing on the programme during which a commer- gruppe RTL Deutschland and of RTL Television, cial is shown. Now, for the first time, this infor- welcomed the crowd in obvious good humour mation will be backed up with measurements. and reported: “Changes are afoot at Medien- Krapf provided initial insights into an index that gruppe RTL Deutschland.” One reason is may be able to measure viewers’ involvement the move of all Cologne-based channels to a in the programme and hence the effectiveness shared site in Cologne-Deutz, and another is the of advertising shown in this environment. This executive’s clearly defined strategy. “Our goal “Involvement Cost Per Mille” or iCPM takes into is to ensure that RTL Television remains or account the usual factors as well as the viewers’ becomes the market leader in all programming time spent watching before, during and after the slots in the year ahead,” declared Schäferkordt, commercial. The more deeply involved viewers and presented an impressive chart showing are in the programme, the better their advertis- that Tuesday and Sunday evenings are the only ing recall. IP is already in talks with agencies times during which RTL Television doesn’t lead and customers, and expects to have a finished the market. “If you take the month of August definition of the new index by the end of the year. into account, we’ve already ironed out the dent Krapf also announced a moderate price increase on Tuesday, which was caused by the Football of between five and ten per cent for the year World Cup,” said Schäferkordt, putting the in- 2011. Since RTL Television and Vox’s audience formation in context. And what about Sunday shares have exceeded expectations, this year’s evening? “We’re gearing up for a neck-and-neck price increases have dissipated and advertising race against the competition for that slot,” de- prices, by thousands of contacts (CPM), have clared Schäferkordt. actually dropped in some cases. “In terms of CPM, 2010 is a bargain year,” Krapf asserted. The Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland channels pursue a joint, complementary programming RTL Television is relying especially on major strategy, so as not to poach each other’s view- events in the sport and show sectors, like Das ers. Schäferkordt had another piece of news to Supertalent (Got Talent), Deutschland sucht den announce: “We will establish at least one more Superstar (Idols) and Ich bin ein Star – Holt mich pay-TV channel at some point in the future. The hier raus (I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out Of Here). concepts are already on file. As soon as there is The reality show segment will be enhanced, for room on the operators’ platforms, we’re ready to example with Rachs Restaurant, which began go,” she revealed. The broadcaster also plans to on 30 August. The new afternoon line-up on RTL steadily increase the proportion of HD content in Television has been a success, and the channel its regular programming. is the clear market leader in this time slot. None- 9 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

theless, there may be a danger of oversatura- tion with scripted docu-soaps, which is why the broadcaster is keeping a watchful eye on this genre”, Schäferkordt pointed out. The channel’s programming is rounded off with comedy. “I hope this explains why I am so confident about the upcoming season,” Schäferkordt said.

At the same time, Vox is to further strengthen its current market position. “We feel there is still a lot we are capable of here,” said Schäferkordt. Frank Hoffmann, Managing Director of Vox, then presented his line-up for the new season. The year’s biggest production is without a doubt the talent show X Factor. On other fronts, Vox will continue to count on series for its primetime slots on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Thursdays are movie nights on Vox, and Saturdays will see a continuation of the successfully established documentary extravaganzas. “When it comes to series, we want to cater to the mainstream,” declares Hoffmann and adds, in explanation of the Saturday documentary features: “But Anke Schäferkordt sometimes you have to swim against the stream, too.” On 11 September Vox will for the At RTL Interactive, the idea is to extend the first time devote an entire day of programming broadcasting brands into the online and mobile to a single topic: water. “Anyone who consists of realms. Here, the latest trends are clearly apps 75 per cent of water, should look into the topic,” – applications for mobile devices – and video. said Hoffmann. “Internet slide shows are a thing of the past,” said Marc Schröder, Managing Director of RTL Both Anke Schäferkordt and Hans Demmel, Interactive. “The crucial thing is where you adver- Managing Director of N-TV, expressed their tise,” added Paul Mudter, Head of Interactive at clear commitment to the news channel. “No IP Deutschland, and explained: “When you book matter where important things are happening, with us, you can run one spot on all platforms – and no matter when they happen: you can count online, mobile and TV.” So Mediengruppe RTL on us to be there,” declared the channel boss. Deutschland offers an all-inclusive package for “N-TV was, is and remains the news channel.” advertisers, and many of them took the oppor- From the beginning of October, N-TV will be tunity to obtain more information in one-to-one broadcasting from the new studio in Cologne- conversations following the event. Deutz, which will result in visible changes in its news and magazine formats. In the year ahead, the channel will concentrate – beyond its core content of news, business, sport and weather – especially on its male viewers, and will present a number of programmes catered especially for men: sports broadcasts like the Berlin Marathon in September and Formula three racing, along with documentary and technology features.

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Allo RTL sets up shop RTL Belgium, in partnership with KPN Group Belgium, opened the very first “Allo RTL” shop entirely dedicated to mobile telephony last weekend. First shop entirely dedicated to mobile telephony Belgium - 30 August 2010

Since Saturday 28 August, RTL Belgium has a new home in Charleroi: viewers, listeners, Internet users and Allo RTL fans now have direct access to the most competitive mobile rates in Belgium and can be the first to discover every- thing that’s new at RTL Belgium.

On 17 August, the brand Allo RTL launched its new “Grande Première” rate plan. At EUR 15 per month, customers enjoy 100 minutes of calling time and can send up to 100 text messages per month to any Belgian network. This rate includes 10 MB of data to surf the web in Belgium, as well as permanent free access to RTL-TVI and Bel RTL content. Customers can opt for 300 more text messages for an additional EUR 5, while for an additional EUR 10, big mobile Internet users will be offered 2 GB of data. This new rate is added to the previous existing rate plans, among the The interior of the shop most competitive in Belgium: “Plateau”, “Duplex” and “Studio”, which are offered to customers The Allo RTL shop will allow customers to dis- of RTL Belgium with its contests, services and cover Allo RTL mobile plans, mobile phones and news. accessories offered by the brand, along with RTL products. These include books from Editions Luc “Grande Première” customers benefit from an Pire and RTL Editions and all DVDs of RTL Bel- exceptional launch offer: they will pay only EUR gium stars like François Pirette, les Embrouilles 5 per month, instead of EUR 15, for the first six de François and André Lamy, along with major months of their 15-month subscription (offer valid television series. from 17 August to 30 September 2010). The shop opened its doors in the large Ville2 shopping centre in partnership with KPN Group Belgium/Base and Allo Telecom. For more information, visit the website of Allo RTL: www.AlloRTL.be

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Hungarians love X Factor The launch of the first series of X Factor in Hungary was a success on Saturday evening, attracting 44.5 per cent of the viewers aged 18 to 49. Nóra Ördög and Sebestyén Balázs Hungary - 1 September 2010

On 5 August, Backstage reported the launch of X Factor is jointly produced by Grundy Light a new talent show on RTL Klub. Last Saturday, Entertainment and IKO Productions for RTL for the show’s premiere, 44.5 per cent of 18- to Klub, and is presented by two of Hungary’s 49-year-old TV viewers in Hungary tuned in to most prominent moderators: Nóra Ördög and watch the audition stage of the programme. Sebestyén Balázs. The judges are Miklós Malek, X Factor prevailed against fierce competition Ildikó Keresztes and Péter Geszti and who have from Megasztár, another singing talent show all made their own significant impact on the now entering its fifth season and broadcast dur- world of music. ing the same time slot on TV2 – RTL Klub’s main competitor in the country. Megasztár only drew 22.9 per cent of young viewers that evening.

The Jury of X Factor: Miklós Malek, Ildikó Keresztes and Péter Geszti 12 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

A new and innovative take on poster advertising The Frankfurt-based sweets manufacturer Ferrero is the first customer to avail itself of a newly developed special advertising format on RTL Television: from 6 September, IP Deutschland will present various Ferrero products in the setting of the popular daily soap Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten. Germany - 1 September 2010

Haribo’s brand Tic Tac is the recommandation of the week in GZSZ

The façade of the “Spätkauf” kiosk, a popular Lars-Eric Mann, Sales Director Solutions at meeting-place for the Gute Zeiten, schlechte IP Deutschland says: “This completely differ- Zeiten (GZSZ) clique, will sport a poster adver- ent form of poster advertising gives Ferrero tising Ferrero products as the “Recommenda- an original, appealing way to leverage GZSZ tion of the Week.” A move/split mechanism can fans’ involvement for a distinctive TV presence then be used to zoom in and start the classic of their brands. The innovative embedment in commercial for a given product. In this way, the programming will turn Tic Tac and the other the new special advertising format creates a products into soap-opera stars for the audience.” thematic link between Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten and the brands. This new method is not Product Placement but a special format that creates maximum attention in the targeted demographic thanks to the close association.

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Trinny & Susannah take on the Netherlands The two world-famous British stylists are on a mission in the Netherlands to offer their expertise on fashion, in a new show on RTL 4. Trinny and Susannah Netherlands - 1 September 2010

In their native UK the two fashion gurus are known for their straightforward advice and sharp fashion sense which they use to reform the appearance and style of the participants. Show participants are randomly chosen on the street and then given a makeover.

Now Trinny & Susannah have decided to take on the Netherlands and offer their expertise to women and men they feel need help with their fashion sense. The fashion-challenged individuals are given a makeover in Trinny & Susannah: Missie Holland (Trinny & Susannah: Mission Holland) on RTL 4.

Since getting started on TV in 2001, the two ladies have dressed over 5,000 women, including celebrities, written a series of fashion bestsellers, appeared as advisors on Oprah and launched their own successful range of clothing and underwear.

Each week they will restyle 12 participants, male and female, who at the final stage of the programme will take part in a catwalk to present the results of their transformation.

The show will air every Wednesday from 21:30.

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An entertaining breeze to blow on RTL Televizija this autumn In-house productions that attract record audiences, new seasons of series that continue to interest growing numbers of followers and blockbusters hits – RTL Televizija presents the line-up for the new season. Croatia - 2 September 2010

Vanja Rupena

RTL Televizija is starting its autumn season with programmes that will enthral and entertain every type of crowd.

Hrvatski Top Model (Croatia’s Top Model) is returning in its second season, bringing with it a touch of glamour and style. Its jury is composed of Vanja Rupena, the international top model, Tihana Harapin Zalepugin, a top-notch fashion agent, and Sasa Joka, Elle’s fashion editor will Stephan Macchi helps Croatian restaurants have to decide who among the thousand girls Viewers will also have the chance to follow the who applied has what it takes to be a top model. new episodes of season four of Bibin svijet (Rita’s The last episode in which the remaining three world), which will be packed with the new adven- candidates will compete for the final spot, will be tures of Croatia’s best-known saleswoman. aired live. As far as RTL Televizija’s information program- Comedy fans will enjoy the new series Instruktor. ming is concerned, Magazine program is return- After a well-received pilot episode broadcast last ing in an expanded and revamped version this spring, the comedy returns to tell the adventures autumn. and mishaps of a driving instructor and his stu- dent. Instruktor will feature a series of famous Other returning shows include Zvijezde Extra actors in cameo roles. and the inevitable Kim and Aggie in the new season of Odred za cistocu (How Clean Is Your Slucajni turist (The Accidental Tourist) is a new House?). All this will be rounded off by new show that will please the channel’s more adven- seasons of award-winning US series such as turous viewers. Robert Knjaz, the protagonist, Desperate Housewives, Bones, Cold Case, CSI, takes trips to the most remote areas of Croatia Life and Grey’s Anatomy. in the company of randomly selected foreigners, without a dime in his pockets and without any Finally, film enthusiasts will be treated to hit kind of transportation. Viewers will see how he films such as Ben Stiller’s Tropska grmljavina manages to stumble on despite the difficulties (Tropic Thunder), Cohen brothers’ Nema zemlje encountered. za starce (No Country For Old Men) and Marc Foster’s romantic drama Gonic zmajeva (The As already announced on Backstage on 8 July, Kite Runner) among others. RTL Televizija also culinary guru Stephan Macchi puts on his chef’s has loads in store for the younger viewers with hat and apron again to offer his expertise to Luc Besson’s Arthur u zemlji Minimoya (Arthur struggling Croatian restaurants for a second And The Minimoys), Kung Fu Panda, Madagas- captivating season. car 2 and Pcelin film (Bee Movie) hitting the TV screens. 15 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

Fund-raising football legend The ‘Haribo Super RTL Golf Challenge 2010’ raised EUR 90,000 in donations for charity – football legend Franz Beckenbauer and entertainer Thomas Gottschalk were two main attractions. Germany - 2 September 2010

A happy ‘Kaiser’

At the Haribo Charity Gala, Super RTL’s managing director Claude Schmit joined Haribo CEO Dr. Hans Riegel in presenting a cheque for 75,000 EUR to the Franz Beckenbauer Founda- tion and a cheque for 15,000 EUR to the Fritz Walter Foundation.

After the finals of the ‘Haribo Super RTL Golf Challenge 2010’ – the world’s biggest junior golf tournament – Haribo CEO Riegel hosted a celebrity charity golf tournament, followed that evening by a charity gala emceed by Thomas Gottschalk. Numerous celebrities accepted the invitation and demonstrated their social con- science, including Franz Beckenbauer, Jürgen Kohler, Henry Maske, Lars Riedel and Roger Lewentz, State Secretary at the Rhineland- Palatinate State Ministry of Interior and Sports.

Celebrity chef Horst Lichter treated the guests to an exquisite five-course menu, served to musical accompaniment provided by DJ Ötzi and Heino.

The funds raised from the gala, tombola and golf tournament, along with a generous donation from Hans Riegel and Super RTL, will go to the Franz Beckenbauer Foundation, which helps people with physical or mental disabilities and those who have fallen on hard times through no fault of their own, and to the Fritz Walter Foun- dation, which is dedicated to promoting junior football talent.

16 Fun Radio gets Paris dancing

Partying and having a good time are Fun Radio’s core values. For the second year in a row, the French music station is organising the giant concert Starfloor with megastar Kylie Minogue being one of the top-billing performers. Starfloor will be broadcasted live on Fun Radio and W9 on Saturday 30 October 2010 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

Again number one RTL.fr, the French radio station’s website, was once again the most popular homepage of its kind in July. France - 26 August 2010

‘Honky Tonk Pirates’: first 3D Production Die Wilden Kerle meets Pirates of the Caribbean: UFA Cinema and Joachim Masannek launch an ambitious movie project. Germany - 26 August 2010

A strike force targeting a new product To mark the new Office 2010 Suite’s end-of-summer campaign, M6 Publicité Digital joins Microsoft France and Mediabrands/UM to offer a special and powerful operation entirely designed for web media and benefiting from the media know-how of Groupe M6. France - 27 August 2010

A new look and a new channel for Neighbours FremantleMedia Australia’s television soap opera Neighbours will have an exciting new home in 2011, when it becomes the flagship programme for Channel Eleven, Ten’s new digital channel. Australia - 30 August 2010

A culinary trip through New Zealand New show Herman’s Kookeiland (Herman’s Cook Island) where teams of two test their culinary abilities outdoors, in the New Zealand desert, premiered on RTL 4 on 31 August at 21:30. Netherlands - 31 August 2010

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Off to a good start: The new season of Wer wird Millionär? As many as 7.47 million viewers tuned in for the first of four double episodes to kick off the season. The free mobile app to accompany the show has passed the million-downloads mark. Germany - 31 August 2010

Excluding no one: M6 makes a commitment For the first time, the channel will broadcast a programme with audio description so that visually impaired viewers can also enjoy an excellent evening of television. France - 1 September 2010

A new talent show for Switzerland Grundy Schweiz AG, a subsidiary of the German Grundy Light Entertainment group, will produce the premier season of the new talent show Die grössten Schweizer Talente (Switzerland’s Greatest Talent) this year. DJ Bobo will be one of the judges. Switzerland - 1 September 2010

The German TV market in August After the Football World Cup, RTL Television’s viewer market share rose to a solid 17.0 per cent again in August. RTL Television and Vox jointly landed a new hit last month with The X Factor. Germany - 2 September 2010

Grundy Light Entertainment sets up an Austrian subsidiary Grundy Light Entertainment has announced the establishment of a new subsidiary, Grundy Austria GmbH, which will be headquartered in Vienna as of immediately. Germany - 2 September 2010

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People Patrick Ohler and Fabian Jager withdraw from management Germany - 27 August 2010

Patrick Ohler and Fabian Jager, the founders of the Wer-kennt-wen.de social network

Patrick Ohler and Fabian Jager, the founders of Ohler and Jager will continue to serve the the Wer-kennt-wen.de social network, stepped company in a consultative capacity. down from the company’s management with effect from 1 September 2010. Marc Schröder, Managing Director of RTL Interactive, comments: “Patrick and Fabian RTL Interactive began providing financial and did a phenomenal job and with their team built technical support to the Wer-kennt-wen.de one of Germany’s largest social networks within social network early on and acquired a 49 per just four years.” cent stake in the company at the beginning of 2008. In early 2009, the RTL subsidiary bought Patrick Ohler: “Since we first had the idea of Wer-kennt-wen.de outright. The founders have Wer-kennt-wen.de in summer 2006, we have since continued the platform independently as been privileged and excited to witness how its managing directors. At the same time, they the platform and its user pool rapidly grew to carefully integrated the network in the online 8.5 million registered members – that’s one portfolio RTL Interactive had developed for in every ten Germans. It was an eventful and Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland. edifying time for us.”

Sönke Strahmann, who has served as Head of Fabian Jager: “We are proud of being able to Marketing & Finances and sat on the board of hand over a company after four years that has Wer-kennt-wen.de since the beginning of 2008, been profitable and thus commercially success- will take on the position of managing director ful for some time now.“ for the interim, until a successor is determined. 20 week 35 the RTL Group intranet

People Yves Bigot Yves Bigot France - 31 August 2010

Yves Bigot, currently Assistant General Manager Yves Bigot, 55, is a seasoned professional in ra- in charge of programmes at Endemol and former dio and television. A host, director, programmer Programme Director at France 2 and RTBF, will and journalist, he previously worked at Europe 1 join the RTL Radio France teams as Station and (1973-90), and then at France Inter (1990-92). Programme Director in the coming weeks. His expertise in the area of music and entertainment, which led to the creation of many reference Christopher Baldelli, Chairman of RTL Radio’s works, also led him to exercise responsibilities at Executive Board, has decided to organise the Canal Plus, BBC (1988-92), Fnac music produc- RTL Radio station into two main departments: tion (1992-94) and Phonogram-Mercury (1994- first, news, which since 2004 has been under 97). In 1998, he joined France Télévisions as the authority of Jacques Esnous, who is also a Unit Director of variety, game show and entertain- member of the Executive Board, and second, ment programmes (1998-2004), subsequently the station and programmes, whose responsibil- working as Programme Director at France 2 ity will be handed over to Yves Bigot. (2004-05) and as Deputy Managing Director in charge of the station and programmes at France Hervé Béroud will soon be leaving his duties as 4 (2005-06). In 2006, the RTBF recruited him as RTL Radio’s Editorial Director and will not be Director of Stations and Programmes for RTBF replaced. News Director Jacques Esnous will and Arte Belgique (2006-08). Since 2008, Yves henceforth rely on the support of the Deputy Bigot has served as Deputy Managing Director Editors-in-Chief, Catherine Mangin and Jean- in charge of programmes at Endemol. Michel Aphatie, to run RTL Radio’s editorial department. In another press release, RTL Radio announced that Frédéric Jouve, member of its Executive Committee will soon step down as the station’s Director of Entertainment programmes. The press release states: “RTL would like to thank Frédéric Jouve for accomplishing his mission during the last four years and would like to wish him the utter best for his future plans.”

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People Bernhard zu Castell Germany - 2 September 2010

Bernhard zu Castell (38) has been appointed managing director of Universum Film with effect from 1 September 2010.

In his new position, Bernhard zu Castell will continue to report to Dirk Schweitzer (Head of Program Acquisitions & Sales at RTL Televi- sion), who is stepping down as interim managing director of Universum Film, a role he had taken on at the beginning of the year.

After earning an engineering degree in Stuttgart and an MBA from Munich TU, zu Castell began his career at the Kirch Group before joining RTL Interactive’s business development department in 2004 after various other stations in the media industry. In July 2006, he was appointed chief financial director at Universum Film.

Dirk Schweitzer, (Head of Program Acquisitions & Sales at RTL Television, says: “In his time as chief financial officer, Bernhard zu Castell played a formative role in the successful development of Universum Film. He showed that he is not only capable of steering and optimising the financial side of a company’s operations, but in fact earned recognition in the market and among his colleagues with his proven professional skills in all areas, in both the film distribution and the Home Entertainment business. I am pleased that we were able to recruit an expert from within our own ranks for this exciting position.”

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