30 September 2010

week 39

Big shows – big potential Patrick Schult on FremantleMedia’s business in Asia

Germany Luxembourg Das kicks off RTL Group better than ever at the Marathon

France Germany M6 Web offers US series UFA Exchange 24 hours after US broadcast takes a glimpse into the future week 39 the RTL Group intranet

30 September 2010

week 39

Cover: Collage with Patrick Schult, CEO of FremantleMedia Asia, showing a selection of shows FremantleMedia Asia produces.

Big shows – big potential 2 Patrick Schult on FremantleMedia’s business in Asia

Germany Luxembourg kicks off RTL Group better than ever at the Berlin Marathon

France Germany M6 Web offers US series UFA Exchange 24 hours after US broadcast takes a glimpse into the future week 39 the RTL Group intranet

“Asia is a long term play” FremantleMedia produces and licenses its brands all over the world. Backstage asked Patrick Schult to explain how business is done in Asia. Patrick Schult, CEO FremantleMedia Asia Asia - 30 September 2010

“We are now well into the second half of 2010,” One of the biggest formats in Asia is Take Me Patrick Schult, CEO FremantleMedia Asia, Out. The concept: one single male enters an tells Backstage. “Every month I send Europe arena of 30 single women who are all looking for an update of everything we are doing – and the man of their dreams. Initially, the power rests each month I am astounded by the breadth of with the ladies as each has a light box in front work we manage and the quality of our output.” of her, and if at any point she doesn’t like what FremantleMedia has had operations in the she sees or hears, she can extinguish her light Asian region since the early 90’s and has been – and the male’s chances of taking her out. Then growing steadily ever since. “Our shows have the tables are turned as the surviving guy has been licensed into the Asian market since the to choose his favourite lady. Their subsequent mid 80’s, and in 1995, we started our first lo- date is captured on camera and shown in the cal production with Family Feud in Indonesia. next programme. This year, we expect to make approximately 40 different localised shows across Asia,” says Schult.

With shows airing right across the region, FremantleMedia Asia has key offices in India, Indonesia and Japan with the headquarters in Singapore. “We have a close relationship to our clients,” Schult explains.“They appreciate the value of the know-how we offer with our formats.”

Just recently, FremantleMedia Asia sold 130 episodes of Hole In The Wall into the Philip- pines and made its first deal in Cambodia this Take Me Out in the Philippines year with this format. Local versions of the show have also previously been made in India, The Take Me Out format was developed by Indonesia and Malaysia. The show was first FremantleMedia in France, was first com- broadcast and produced by Fuji TV in Japan. missioned in Australia, and has been sold to Today, FremantleMedia maintains close ties to several countries in Asia, including South Korea the broadcaster. “We set up a creative exchange and Indonesia. “Starting off with Take Me Out in with them,” Patrick Schult reports. “This alliance Indonesia was a courageous move,” Schult is truly ground-breaking and gets us one step says. “The format was rejected by broadcast- closer to developing a meaningful long-lasting ers several times for cultural reasons. Now it is relationship with a powerhouse of Japanese on air in three different versions: Take Me Out, creative talent. We have a lot to offer, as do they. Take Him Out and Take A Celebrity Out. All three We hope that one day soon, more formats from versions are very popular.” Asia will travel around the world.”

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Speaking of the big talent shows like , X Factor and – how are they doing? In India, Idols has just finished its fifth season. It was the first season locally produced by FremantleMedia India, with 5.9 million viewers tuning in for the final. In Indonesia, the sixth season of Indonesian Idol has just finished, and outperformed the previous four seasons. And in Vietnam the third series is currently on air and doing well.

Finally, Got Talent has also made the leap to Asia. A second series has just launched in India, following season one’s success story in 2009. Earlier this year, The Philippines Got Talent was a smash hit, with the finale scoring audience shares of well over 40 per cent. In Indonesia the show is also making headlines. “Finally, Got Tal- Sreeram Chandra Mynampati, winner of this year’s Indian Idol ent has been sold into Thailand”, says Patrick This reveals how Asian culture differs from Schult. “It is the first sale in this market for quite that of Europe or the US and how audiences some time.” differ as well. “We need to respect cultural differences in order not to insult beliefs or So what’s next? In 2011, X Factor will feelings,” says Schult. “In the localisation proc- launch in India, as a local production by ess we adapt our international formats to suit FremantleMedia India. “There is also high the tastes of the local viewers.” In terms of interest in the show in Indonesia and the Asian audiences, “our shows are often more Philippines,” says Schult. Idols will continue celebrity focused,” he says. “In Asia it was in India and return for a seventh season in difficult to focus too much on regular people, like Indonesia. “Most of our shows all over Asia will in Europe or the US. Even Family Feud, which be renewed,” he says happily. “And the classic runs in prime time five days a week, still features game shows are continuing their comeback.” a celebrity with his or her family.”

Super Family is the Indonesian adaptation of Family Feud

Recently, FremantleMedia Asia sold How Clean Is Your House into Vietnam as a fully advertiser- funded programme (AFP). “It’s always great to sell a format for the first time – andHow Clean Is Your House is in this category,” says Schult. “The recently launched show has beaten the channel The Prince Dance Group receiving the winner’s cheque average share by over 25 per cent.” This marks at India’s Got Talent the third significant AFP sale in the region after Vietnam Idol and Thailand’s Got Talent.

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At the Marathon Not only was the Berlin Marathon a big topic in the programming of N-TV and the Berlin radio stations, but many RTL Group employees ran the marathon themselves – despite the less than cosy weather. The RTL Group team with a total of 42 runners from 13 subsidiaries and the Corporate Centre in Luxembourg Luxembourg / Germany - 27 September 2010

The day was unpleasant indeed: 13°C and a constant drizzle literally put a damper on everyone’s spirits. The RTL Group team, too, with a total of 42 participants from 13 subsidiar- ies and the Corporate Centre in Luxembourg, struggled with the adverse conditions. But they persevered and all of them crossed the finish line.

Also, the celebrity group running for the ‘RTL – Wir helfen Kindern’ foundation mastered the route easily. The boxers Ina Menzner and Arthur Abraham, high-jumper Carlo Thränhardt, foot- baller Marco Rehmer, actor Götz Otto and The celebrity group running for the ‘RTL – Wir helfen Kindern’ N-TV’s Managing Director Hans Demmel and foundation mastered the route easily RTL presenters Ulrike von der Groeben and Wolfram Kons each ran five kilometres for Regarding radio, the run was covered by charity, then ran the last five kilometres of the 104.6 RTL and 105’5 Spreeradio. Both ‘Real – Berlin Marathon’ together, led by the channels also had set up stages at the event. legendary boxing coach Uli Wegner. The On the RTL stage at Berlin’s Weltkugelbrunnen organisers paid one euro for each metre of the (Globe Fountain), the Hermes House Band kept run, so that in the end the team proudly accepted things lively for the athletes and spectators, while a cheque in the amount of EUR 42,195 for the the Spreeradio stage served to give the arriving foundation. half-marathon runners a fitting welcome.

N-TV reported live from the event. Between 8:30 N-TV’s Chief Editor Volker Wasmuth said: and 12:00 the sports moderators Britta Hofmann “Broadcasting this kind of top event live was and Nico Holter reported from the route, where a big challenge. I am especially proud of the some 700,000 spectators cheered on the 40,945 outstanding work done by the whole team and runners from 122 nations. Broadcasting from the excellent cooperation with the organisers the marathon was a special challenge this year SCC Running, the production firm Powerplay, because the helicopters were grounded by and RTL Radio.“ the inclement weather, so that only part of the planned footage could be shown.

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Off to a brilliant Saturday start Das Supertalent began the new season with outstanding ratings: On 25 September, the talent show attracted more viewers than ever before. The Jury: Bruce Darnell, Sylvie van der Vaart and Germany - 27 September 2010

Viewership for the second episode of Das Supertalent peaked at 8.87 million on Saturday evening, with an average 7.74 million viewers tuning in throughout the show. The popular talent show attracted an excellent 38.8 per cent share of the 14 to 49 viewer market, a market share that is not only above that of last December’s finale, but also the highest market share Das Supertalent has achieved among young audiences to date.

The premiere of the new season had already Ryan Lam (in the back) with his assistant done well the evening before, with as many as 8.73 million viewers tuning in to watch. On aver- age, 7.43 million viewers watched Dieter Bohlen worry about his arm when Ryan Lam gave his Samurai sword performance. Overall, the show scored an excellent market share of 36.8 per cent among 14- to 49-year-old viewers.

RTL Television’s daily market shares among 14- to 49- year-olds were also well above that of the competition: 20.6 per cent on Saturday and 23.3 per cent on Friday. Das Supertalent – Backstage the magazine show tying in to Das Supertalent, started on Super RTL on 27 Sep- tember at 20:15. Presenter Nina Moghaddam got up close and personal with the would-be supertalents to report on their hopes, fears and the stories that led up to their performances. She also reported on candidates who didn’t make it to the show despite having an unusual talent – and interviewed the star-makers as well: how do they see the contenders and who are their favourites?

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A service that is unique in Europe M6 Web launches the “Pass Séries VIP”, a subscription video on demand service with 24-hour access to US TV series at a cost of EUR 9,99 per month. France - 30 Septembre 2010

check out www.M6vod.fr

After the successful launch of the “Pass Séries” Every episode in the TV series concerned is in March 2010 (unlimited viewing of the best of available in its original version with subtitles and M6 series at EUR 5,99 per month), Groupe M6 in HD. Subscribers also have access to the enhances its video on demand (VoD) service and entire M6 “Pass Séries Classique” VoD service, launches a product that is unique in Europe: the which offers 800 episodes of series the day after “Pass Séries VIP”. By making unlimited viewing their broadcast on M6. This service is available of TV series quickly available to viewers who are on the Internet (www.M6vod.fr) and through the anxiously waiting for them, the group hopes to IPTV services of Free and SFR. offer a real alternative to Internet pirating.

Subscribers to this service can watch, exclu- sively in VoD and the day after they are broad- cast in the United States, new seasons of NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, NCIS: Los Angeles, Medium and 90210, as well as the first season of four new series broadcast in the United States starting in September 2010 and never seen before on French television: Blue Bloods, with Tom Selleck, The Defen- ders, with James Belushi, The Good Wife, with Julianna Margulies and Hawaii Five-O, a muscular remake of the original TV series of the same name.

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Sites made to entertain and simplify life M6 Interactions launched two new sites, one making a boutique of derivative products available to Internet users and the other an online guide to events. France - 27 September 2010

check out www.M6vod.fr

M6Store.fr and M6Evenements.fr

The objective of M6 Interactions, which is a The second site, M6Evenements.fr, offers a subsidiary of Groupe M6, is to enhance the selection of not-to-be-missed outings in partner- value of the channel’s brands and to market them ship with Groupe M6 channels, along with many as well as other group activities and a certain other events. Concerts, musical comedies, number of derivative rights of audiovisual assets theatre, one man shows, dance, opera, sporting for which it has acquired the rights directly. Tak- events, museums and other exhibitions – it’s ing this into account, it launched M6Store.fr and all there. Each referenced event benefits from M6Evenements.fr on 24 September. a dedicated page, with information, videos and press reviews as well as an interactive zone The first,M6Store.fr , brings together all the prod- where users can post comments. The role of ucts published or distributed by M6 Interactions M6Evenements.fr is to highlight cultural news, for the first time in a single space. There are, for make it easier for Internet users to choose example, DVDs and Blu-ray discs of the entire outings and allow them to reserve seats while M6 Vidéo catalogue with its 700 references taking advantage of exclusive offers like including films distributed by SND, a Groupe meeting artists, backstage passes, VIP seats and M6 subsidiary. These include Twilight, Iron Man, privileged rates. Hulk, Prédictions, Underworld, The Reader and Nine, to name a few. M6 Interactions was created in 1992 at a time when the group was already deciding to invest in markets other than television by launching itself into publishing, publicity events, shows, publica- tions and games as well as licensing activities.

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On Monday, only one was left From 16 at the start of the culinary adventure, only two amateur chefs remained standing. Competing against Coralie, the North region’s representative Reynald won the Combat des régions on M6 and the EUR 10,000 prize that went with it. France - 29 September 2010

They had to rise to the most outrageous challenges: the two finalists did their cooking high in the air, aboard a gondola that swayed in the gusts of wind

On 23 August, Backstage reported on the Arriving in Brussels, it was a gondola suspended return of France’s famous amateur culinary 50 metres above the ground that served as their competition: Le Combat des régions returned to kitchen for the second test. Even the chefs did French TV for its second edition. not feel too reassured to find themselves so high in the air and swinging in the wind. Reynald won The finale aired on M6 on Monday 27 Septem- the event, but he was not out of the woods yet ber in the first and second parts of the evening. as he still had to confront Grégory, who was last An average of 3.2 million viewers followed the year’s big winner. It was time for the second most outrageous challenges set for Coralie and show, Le Choc des champions, the battle of the Reynald. The chef judges spared them nothing. champions, and Reynald took the prize. The first big surprise was to meet at the Gare du Nord for immediate boarding of a Paris-Brussels The show posted a total audience share of 17.5 TGV. The chefs had to prepare the first menu in per cent that night, the best audience share of the tiny kitchen of the bar car on the TGV. The the season. M6 was also ranked number one higher-ranking Reynald took the initiative but among viewers under 50 with an audience share nothing was decided yet. of 23.3 per cent, and number one as well among housewives under 50 with an audience share of 26.0 per cent.

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“Let’s dare to take more risks” At the UFA Exchange convention in Berlin, numerous top media executives ventured a peek into the future and discussed users of the future and the adaptability of traditional media in the Digital Age. Terry von Bibra (left) and Wolf Bauer Germany - 29 September 2010

A good 100 UFA staff members and guests had Struve noted: “There is no content market for braved Berlin traffic to come to the UFA Exchange online content yet. Major productions will at Bertelsmann Unter den Linden 1. “We want continue to be financed by the well-known to look into the future,” said the event emcee broadcasters in the future.” Waitz emphasised Leo Busch, an N-TV presenter, opening the first that young people in particular like to experience discussion panel. Although there were no crys- the feeling of community created by major TV tal balls in evidence, Busch had brought along events such as Deutschland sucht den Super- a deck of Lenormand Oracle cards to help her star – perhaps even while simultaneously using guests peer into the future – other media. Berger agreed, but of course this was intended but specified: “There will still be more as a joke. Katharina huge blockbusters, but lots of Behrends of NBC Universal in small productions as well – but Germany, Joel Berger, Man- anything in between could run aging Director of MySpace into problems.“ in Germany, Markus Brunne- mann, Managing Director of Towards the end of the discus- Phoenix Film, Günter Struve, sion, Struve concluded: “What media consultant and former has changed least are human Programme Director at ARD, beings: they still react to various and creative brand consultant basic stimuli.” Only some trends Carsten Waitz discussed view- in the programming shift over ers of the future and quickly time, he pointed out – from love came to the conclusion that stories to crime to comedy or they are difficult to predict. vice versa. In the end the panel Struve pointed out that to learn remained divided in its opinions. what viewers want to see, one has to combine A member of the audience summed up the mathematics, like results from viewer research discussion: “What do users want in the future? and instinct. We don’t know, as users frequently orientate themselves by what is already there.” In the near future, Berger predicted, viewers won’t so much actively decide what they watch, The second panel, comprised of ProSiebenSat1 as by perusing a TV guide, but will above all Media AG board member Andreas Bartl, ZDF rely on the recommendations of their friends, Programme Director Thomas Bellut, Christian so the thesis. Waitz took a different view: “I’ve Illek, Managing Director Marketing at Deutsche always tried to see people as people and not Telekom, Sebastian Turner of the agency Scholz as viewers or customers. The basic idea is that & Friends, Terry von Bibra, Managing Director people want to be happy – sometimes this of Yahoo Germany and Wolf Bauer, Chairman requires a good show on television, and some- & CEO of UFA, discussed the adaptability of the times a new T-shirt, because it makes the person media. look good.” 10 week 39 the RTL Group intranet

Presenter Claus Strunz, ProSiebenSat1 Media AG board member Andreas Bartl, ZDF Programme Director Thomas Bellut, Christian Illek, Managing Director Marketing at Deutsche Telekom, Sebastian Turner of the agency Scholz & Friends, Terry von Bibra, Managing Director of Yahoo Germany and Wolf Bauer, Chairman & CEO of UFA (From left to right)

Claus Strunz, who moderated the second round The panel was divided on how content should of discussions, began by presenting three be financed, with Wolf Bauer advocating a paid provocative thesis. One of them: “TV channels model while others preferred to rely on adver- will become superfluous by 2020: anyone with tising. However, advertising too will have to good content will post it on the Net themselves. change. “Advertising is literally a turn-off: you If they’re good enough, they can even demand live by chasing away your viewers,” Turner told money for it.” This thesis was met with vehement Bartl. “You have to get agencies and advertis- disagreement. “Television is the only medium ers to improve their quality and integrate the that creates a kind of simultaneity of experience turn-off factor in the pricing.” Advertising that that people talk about,” said Bartl and added: keeps people watching can be priced higher “Even on the Net, TV content in particular is a than advertising that causes viewers to switch key growth driver. Ultimately, the important thing off. Bartl agreed but expressed concerns as is always a good story – and a good story will to whether this could be asserted. “Of course, always find its way. We believe in the combi- they’re in the same boat,” countered Turner. Von nation of television and online. Nevertheless, Bibra noted that “in the end, users always pay television will remain the leading medium.” Wolf – the question is: how do we get to the money.” Bauer agreed: “If one views programme combin- He said that the sheer size of the established ing as the TV broadcasters’ key competency, channels could become a problem when trying it’s clear that TV channels will still be around in out new ideas or revenue models. “Start-ups the year 2020. Our content will be present on have it much easier – they have nothing to lose, all platforms.” Bellut took a similar view: “I don’t while the big broadcasters do.” expect a revolution. However, viewers won’t watch content that is hard to digest, they prefer The upshot of the discussion: new ideas and the chocolate – or even the forbidden fruit.” It will more courage to take risks are needed, as Wolf become more difficult to retain viewers over a Bauer said in conclusion: “We can only explore longer period of time said Bellut, adding: “The the future in concert. We must share the risk. important thing is to design the programming If we want to try things out, we have to invest. line-up. Daytime television is hell right now – I appeal to everyone: let’s dare to experiment there is simply no reputable remedy for RTL and take more risks.” Television or Sat1’s programming at this point.”

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Start the new season with a splash Fun Radio harnesses digital technology in order to be accessible in all media at all times, while RTL 2. France - 24 September 2010 Jérôme Fouqueray, Managing Director of Fun Radio and RTL 2

On Thursday 23 September, Jérôme Fouqueray, of the projects that are to be launched.” Jérôme Managing Director of Fun Radio and RTL 2, Fouqueray reminded the press audience that welcomed journalists in an original fashion to in the last three seasons, Fun Radio achieved mark the start of the 2010/11 season, with a 10 of its 13 highest audience ratings ever. He press conference aboard “Le Paquebot”, a yacht underlined the fact that his station finished the of the Parisian fleet. The rendez-vous at the season beautifully, achieving its highest ratings Javel port in the 15th arrondissement was set ever since the creation of the Médiamétrie 13+ for 19:00, setting sail immediately for the new tool, with more than 3,839,000 listeners per day. season with RTL Group’s two French music radio stations.

“By the end of the 2009/10 season, Fun Radio and RTL 2 had never weighed so much in the French music radio market, achieving the high- est ratings ever. For a few years we have been hearing everywhere that music radio stations are doomed to fade away, and yet since 2006, Fun Radio and RTL 2’s market shares have leapt 35 per cent, going from 15.9 per cent to 21.0 per cent of the music radio market,” Jérôme Fouqueray said to the press audience. “Since 2006, Fun Radio has gained 750,000 listeners and RTL 2 has gained 250,000.” In terms of strategy, he added that, for this season, “the objective is to continue increasing audiences and accelerating the development of brands with stronger positions in digital technology and diversification.”

Jérôme Fouqueray then went into detail about each of the two radio stations. Starting with RTL2, the radio station with the “pop-rock sound”, he enumerated all the latest ratings successes for this station targeting young adults, with the Fun Radio concludes partnership deals with the biggest stars continuation of its music strategy being the order of the moment of the day. For Fun Radio, the station with the “dance floor sound”, its manager talked about a “Fun Radio is a modern and positive brand new season that is “very important in the scope that corresponds to the current aspirations of the station’s successful ratings and the size of the young generation,” Jérôme Fouqueray

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Fun Radio has also discovered a talent for organising major event shows. “Fun Radio’s current development is based on positioning, top artists and digital technology. The Starfloor event makes it possible to crystallise these positive aspirations and offer the audience the opportunity to share a live experience that is powerful, unique and completely consistent with Fun Radio’s values,” said Jérôme Fouqueray.

Also, Fun Radio joins Crédit Mutuel Arkéa to launch the first online bank entirely dedicated to 13 to 25 year-olds. New on the banking market, Fun Radio is known for its partnership deals with the biggest this service by Crédit Mutuel Arkéa and Fun contemporary stars – in this case U2 Radio will offer on the one hand, financial explained, before enumerating the stars that services entirely adapted to the needs of have concluded partnership deals with Fun younger people and, on the other hand, Radio in the last four years, from Britney Spears activities that correspond to their desires. The and Madonna, to David Guetta and most recent- service will be available starting the first half of ly Lady Gaga, who was discovered in France by 2011, Jérôme Fouqueray. Fun Radio and with whom the station has since formed strong personal ties.

Fun Radio is also the station in France that benefits the most from the emergence of new listening media and has best seized the oppor- tunities offered by the digital revolution. Three examples illustrate this fact: first, its free iPhone application has enjoyed spectacular success with more than one million applications down- loaded, and it has even successfully launched a premium space. Next, in all new media, Fun Radio surpasses its main competitor with larger audiences on mobile phones, personal multi- The Fun Radio credit card media devices, computers and even television stations. Thirdly, Fun Radio is one of the ten Already a trailblazer in online banking services, most active French brands on social networks Crédit Mutuel Arkéa will continue to apply its Facebook and Twitter. Within these communities, expertise to meet the new needs of younger Fun Radio is in the number one position among people. Fun Radio, a pioneer in organising French as well as European radio stations. activities, exclusive events and music partner- ships, will host a fidelity programme based on Jérôme Fouqueray now wants to accelerate numerous activities, including backstage visits this development by launching Playfun, a free to the station, participation in radio shows, radio-on-demand streaming portal that will be privileged access to Fun Radio events and accessible online and on all mobile media, in contests. December. “At all times, internet radio users will have access to about a hundred hours of music Jérôme Fouqueray says: “We are very happy to listen to and share. They will have an enriched about the collaboration with Crédit Mutuel Arkéa, listening experience with the possibilities of which will allow the Fun Radio brand to initiate commenting, voting, recommending and above real diversification that goes far beyond the all distributing content bearing the Fun Radio areas of activity that have already been trademark on all social platforms,” he explained. explored, like music, digital technology and events. Our knowledge of young audiences is an important asset in helping us succeed in this fi- delity programme, particularly with services that correspond to the hopes and real expectations of 13 to 25 year-olds.”

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Awards in September As the summer drew to a close, numerous RTL Group companies received awards or were nominated for them. Ren-TV won a Tefi Award, while Teamworx scored three trophies at the World Film Festival in Montréal. Antonia Rados in Afghanistan Luxembourg - 30 September 2010

In Russia, the Ren-TV documentary Country Miniseries’ award. The movie Frauen in Angst of Soviets, broadcast as part of the Reporters – Antonia Rados trifft die Opfer des Taliban- series, won the Tefi Award for ‘Best Special Terrors (Women In Fear – Antonia Rados Meets Report’. In the programme, the journalists inves- The Victims of Taliban Terror) has been tapped tigated the extent to which values from its Soviet for ‘Best Reportage’, while RTL’s broadcasts past still shape modern-day Russia, and how. of the 2010 Football World Cup are nominated Marianna Maksimovskaya, the project manager for ‘Best Sports Program’. RTL is also pleased at Reporters, said that the channel is working to have two nominees for ‘Best Docutainment’: on further expanding the ‘special reports’ genre, Rach, der Restauranttester (Rach, Restaurant though this is a very laborious process. Tester) and Rachs Restaurantschule (Rach’s Restaurant School) are jointly nominated here, At the World Film Festival in Montréal, Florian along with Raus aus den Schulden (Get Out Of Cossen’s movie Das Lied in mir (The Song In- Debt) hosted by Peter Zwegat. RTL’s comedy side Me) starring Jessica Schwarz and Michael show Cindy und die jungen Wilden (Cindy And Gwisdek was a co-winner of both the Audience The Wild Young Things) is nominated for ‘Best Award and the Ecumenical Jury award, and also Comedy’. won the Fipresci Critics’ Prize. Das Lied in mir is a Teamworx production co-produced with the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg, Bayrischer Rundfunk and SWR, sponsored by the MFG Filmförderung Baden-Württemberg. Florian Cossen directed the film to a screenplay he co- wrote with Elena von Saucken. Jochen Laube is the executive producer, Fabian Maubach the producer.

RTL Group companies have good reason to hope for a Deutscher Fernsehpreis (German Film Award). In all, productions by RTL Televi- sion, Vox, Teamworx, Phoenix Film and Grundy Dutschke Light Entertainment received 18 nominations, if you count double nominations. RTL Television Two comedy shows have been nominated alone was nominated for eight different German in the ‘Best Entertainment’ category: Film Awards 2010, making the -based Willkommen bei Mario Barth (Mario Barth broadcaster the most-nominated commercial Welcomes You) and X Factor – The Auditions, channel. The two-part event movie Vulkan the latter a co-nomination with Vox. The talent (Volcano) is in the running for the coveted ‘Best show is produced by Grundy Light Entertain-

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ment. Vox has another nominee as well: the Spiegel TV documentary Eingesperrt um frei zu sein – Die geheimen Schicksale der DDR-Frauen (Locked Up To Be Free – The Secret Fate Of Women In The GDR) is a contender for ‘Best Documentary’. The programme was a ‘Big Saturday Documentary’ on Vox.

Apart from the channels, the Group’s production companies also have hopes of an award. Team- worx, for instance, garnered four nominations: Die Grenze (The Border; Sat 1) and Vulkan (Volcano; RTL Television) for ‘Best Miniseries’; Danni Lowinski and in the actors’ categories Christoph Bach Niki Stein, author and director of the Teamworx as Dutschke in the eponymous film (ZDF) and production Bis nichts mehr bleibt (Till Nothing Thomas Kretschmann in Die Grenze. Remains) is nominated for the Norddeutscher Kretschmann was also nominated for his role in Filmpreis Authors’ Prize in the category ‘Best the Phoenix Film made-for-TV production Romy, Screenplay’, while the film’s producers Nico and Phoenix Film also has Danni Lowinski Hofmann and Benjamin Benedict are in the (Sat 1) in the running for ‘Best Series’. running for ‘Best TV Film’ (Producers’ Award). Another Producers’ Award contender is The awards will be presented on Saturday Norbert Sauer for Bella Block – Vorsehung October 9 at the Coloneum in Cologne. Not (UFA Fernsehproduktion). The Norddeutscher until then will the judges decide which of the Filmpreis awards come with total prize money nominated programmes and TV achievements of 75,000 EUR and will be presented on will receive an award. A recording of the awards 6 November 2010 at the Filmpreisnacht (Film ceremony will be broadcast on ARD a day later Awards Night) of the 52nd Nordische Filmtage at at 21:45 on 10 October. the Theater Lübeck.

The UFA Cinema production Die kommenden Tage (The Days Ahead) was nominated for the Hessischer Filmpreis. “This powerful mixture of apocalyptic vision of the future and science fiction, about two sisters caught between bourgeoisie and terrorism is compelling thanks to its fabulous cast,” wrote the judges. The Hessischer Film- und Kinopreis (Film and Cinema Award of the State of Hesse) will be presented in on 8 October.

15 Need a ride? To mark the French release of the Oliver Stone film “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”, RTL Radio France is offering Parisians a free ride in a Yellow Cab, in pure New York tradition. Available to everyone, a fleet of Chevrolet Cruze are crisscrossing the streets of Paris from 27 September to 2 October. week 39 the RTL Group intranet

Collective negotiation saves costs RTL Group New Media signed a Group-wide framework agreement with Level 3 for the provision of Internet transit. This gives any profit centre the advantage of vastly reduced bandwidth costs. The first to benefit: RTL Radio in France. Luxembourg - 24 September 2010

“By Mintus, by Transmitus, by Reparus” Since Sunday 26 September, children can discover the literary phenomenon Tara Duncan, adapted for M6 as an animated series on M6 Kid. France - 24 September 2010

Bel RTL went to work for its listeners On Tuesday 28 September, Belgians looking for work listened to Bel RTL, which devoted an entire day on the air to them. Belgium - 24 September 2010

A 40 per cent leap In August, RTL.fr is still France’s number one radio website: 2,293,000 unique visitors were recorded that month. France - 27 September 2010

Early-morning news now on air from new broadcasting centre After the main news programme RTL Aktuell and the late-night RTL Nachtjournal took up their broadcasting operations at the new, fully digitised broadcasting centre in Cologne-Deutz, the RTL early-morning news has now followed suit. Germany - 27 September 2010

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Now in high definition As of the 28 September, Antena 3 began broadcasting in high definition (HD). Spain - 28 September 2010

To help and inform Given that unemployment figures rose by 0.6 per cent in the month of August, RTL Radio France attempted to provide solutions to this worrisome topic in society by dedicating an entire day on the air to the business of looking for work. Almost 10,000 job offers were posted on RTL.fr. France - 28 September 2010

Going up as the weather turned hot A new record was set for RTL Group’s radio stations in France: with a 20 per cent share of the audience this summer, the group’s three French stations have a 55 per cent lead over the second group of private radio stations. France - 29 September 2010

The most influential revolution in Turkish pop culture Arte is showing Arabesk – Gossensound and Massenpop, a film about Istanbul’s vibrant pop-cultural diversity, on 30 September at 22:50. The documentary was produced by Teamworx. Germany - 30 September 2010

18 week 39 the RTL Group intranet

People Eleni Menegaki Greece - 29 September 2010

Alpha TV has decided to continue its coopera- tion with Eleni Menegaki, presenter of Greece’s most watched morning show for another three seasons.

Every day millions of Greeks start off their day with Eleni Menegaki and her morning show Kafes me tin Eleni (Coffee with Eleni). Viewers enjoy watching her show because of her sponta- neity, joyfulness, charisma and her dynamic way of talking about daily life issues. Rightfully, she has earned the title of “Queen of the morning zone” and became a point of reference in Greek television.

Nearly a year before the expiration of her exist- ing contract, Alpha TV has decided to extend it and carry on with this fruitful collaboration. Eleni Menegaki will continue to host Greece’s most popular daytime show until 2013.

Eleni Menegaki commented: “I am grateful for Alpha’s trust and support and absolutely delight- ed to be renewing my cooperation with Alpha and to be having the opportunity to communicate, through my favorite channel, with the TV viewers who are always the warmest company for me”.

Christoph Mainusch, CEO of Alpha Media Group stated: “I am very happy about our long-term cooperation with Eleni Menegaki and our exten- sion of this cooperation until 2013. We are very satisfied and proud to have her in our team for the next three TV seasons in which Kafes me tin Eleni will stay the number one in the morning zone.” Eleni Menegaki The new season of the show premiered on 27 September and attracted an audience share of 31.6 percent among 15 to 44 year olds, while the show on Antenna TV, the rival channel which also premiered at the same time was watched by 22.6 per cent of viewers.

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