week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Newsletter

Finance Meeting 2007 Interview with Elmar Heggen

News Germany RTL Television extends its contract for Domino Day Teamworx to film the hijacking of the People Landshut Germany Belgium Birgit Hönsch appointed new Keen interest in RTL TVI's election head of RTL Enterprises coverage North America FremantleMedia and @radical.media form alliance for the distribution of content week 24 the RTL Group intranet

“Reinforcing close cooperation and fostering common understanding between the various Finance teams” On 4 and 5 June, 100 finance executives from RTL Group companies and the Corporate Centre met in Mondorf-les-Bains (Luxembourg) for the RTL Group Finance Meeting. In an interview with Backstage, Elmar Heggen, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Head of Corporate Centre, explains why the meeting was not only about figures and financial guidelines, but also about networking and team spirit. Luxembourg - 07.06.2007

100 RTL Group finance executives

Elmar, you were appointed the new CFO of pick up the phone or send an e-mail to collea- RTL Group last September. Was one of your gues operating outside of their profit centre, first decisions to hold a RTL Group Finance and feel comfortable doing so. So in a fun way Meeting? the conference also concentrated on making Yes. It's been several years since RTL Group's sure that our executives met new faces and last Finance Meeting, and since then the Group established new contacts. The first day of our has changed significantly. My overriding priori- meeting ended with a team-building event in ty for this meeting was to reinforce the close which all 100 executives came together to co-operation and common understanding bet- create a giant samba percussion band. In less ween the various Finance teams throughout the than two hours, professional percussionists Group. managed to teach the different groups the basics for each instrument and blend them into Why do you think this is important? an explosive samba performance. The respon- At RTL Group, we all operate in a decentralised se to this exercise was very positive. environment, often physically far apart from each other. If the Group is to continue to thrive What was on the agenda of the meeting? by developing new synergies and enhancing We had a mix of presentations by our profit existing ones, our executives need to be able to centres and Corporate Centre, covering a 1 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

variety of finance issues. For example, Schiltz briefly addressed the participants befo- Alexander Glatz, the head of RTL Group's re lunch. We also invited two external speakers Controlling and Investments department, pre- to challenge us and provoke a debate about the sented the planned improvements for our future of broadcasting. monthly management report, one of our key reporting instruments. In future, the manage- Here's our last question: How about RTL ment report will become a tool used by top Group's new intranet Backstage? Do you management, on the one hand to monitor the like it? If so, what's your favourite feature of performance of local operations, and on the the new site? other hand to gain a more aggregated, compre- The new Backstage is outstanding! I really like hensive overview of the Group's figures. Jean- the many new tools and services it offers, espe- Marie Bourhis, deputy CFO responsible for cially Backstage Messenger, which is already consolidation accounting, transactions and very keenly used by many members of my reporting systems, gave an overview of the department. They find the Messenger a quick expected changes in accounting rules. As M6 is and easy way to communicate. I'm confident clearly a leader in the domain of diversification, that people will even use it internationally, its deputy CFO, Jean-Marc Duplaix, reported throughout the Group, to keep in touch. And as on the financial challenges arising from mana- I said before, that's very positive and important. ging diversification businesses, taking as his example the busi- ness particularities associated with his group's running of the football club Girondins de Bordeaux. I'm convinced that this kind of information-sharing across the Group's various pro- fit centres is essential and benefits the whole Group.

So the presentations were all about financial issues? Gerhard Zeiler Elmar Heggen Not at all. Our CEO, Gerhard Zeiler, gave an update on RTL Group's corporate strategy, and Luxembourg Minister for Communications Jean-Louis

visit Jean-Louis Schiltz, Luxembourg Minister of Communications to discover the photo gallery

2 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Keen interest in RTL TVI's election coverage Viewers were attracted in their droves to RTL TVI programmes reporting on the general elec- tion in Belgium, giving the channel very high ratings. Belgium - 13.06.2007

On 10 June 2007, a new parliament was elec- The special editions of the news programme Le ted in Belgium. RTL TVI covered the event in Journal broadcast at 13.00 and 19.00 on the several special programmes, and the way that day of the election scored impressive market viewers responded proved once again that for shares of 42.5 per cent and 35.4 per cent res- most Belgian viewers RTL TVI is their preferred pectively. source of news and information, both in its pre- election and special election-day coverage. In the run-up to the election, RTL TVI's biggest success was the programme Face aux Belges Between 18.30 and 22.30, a total of 335,275 (Facing the Belgians), shown on 8 June. In that viewers (a market share of 22 per cent) tuned in programme, Elio di Rupo, the head of the to RTL TVI's election specials, beating the French-speaking Socialist Party (PS) and ratings achieved by its rival and public broad- Minister-President of Wallonia, spontaneously caster RTBF and making RTL TVI the clear mar- answered questions put by the public. That ket leader during this timeframe. programme gained the channel a market share of over 25.8 per cent.

RTL editorial staff “Fédérales 2007”

3 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Teamworx to film the hijacking of the Landshut Many years of research by the famous docu- mentary filmmaker Maurice Philip Remy, who unearthed spectacular new findings about the hostage drama on board the Lufthansa passen- ger aircraft Landshut, have borne fruit in the shape of the script to the TV film Mogadishu Welcome. Nico Hofmann Germany - 12.06.2007

Mogadishu airport in Somalia was the setting for one of the most spectacular hostage rescues of all time. On 18 October 1977, 30 men from Germany's legendary GSG 9 antiterrorism unit stormed the Landshut.

Mogadishu Welcome will be a highly emotional reconstruction of the nightmare experienced by the 86 innocent passengers on board the hijacked aircraft. The film will trace the aircraft's odyssey from its start in Majorca to Rome, Cyprus, Bahrain, Dubai, Aden and the dramatic showdown in Mogadishu.

The film provides a realistic portrayal of interna- tional terrorism, with good winning emerging vic- torious for once. It will delve into the true events behind the hijacking for the first time.

The producers of Mogadishu Welcome will be Gabriela Sperl, Nico Hofmann, Jürgen Schuster and Christian Rohde; the responsible editors will be Hans-Wolfgang Jurgan, Carl Bergengruen and Manfred Hattendorf; the director will be Roland Suso Richter and the cinematographer Holly Fink.

The shooting of the 90-minute TV film will proba- bly begin in September 2007. The film's release will be accompanied by the publication of a book and also a documentary by Maurice Philipe Remy. The film will be produced by Teamworx, acting on behalf of ARD Degeto and SWR.

4 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

RTL Television extends its contract for Domino Day Domino Day will continue to be shown on RTL Group channels over the next few years, after acquiring exclusive rights to the programme in an all-inclusive package for the Group's entire family of channels (except in the Netherlands). Germany - 11.06.2007

Jörg Graf, Head of RTL's Business Affairs RTL Head of Entertainment Tom Sänger said: Department, who led the negotiations, said: "I'm really happy that we'll be continuing to "I'm delighted we succeeded in acquiring work with Endemol and the creative mind exclusive rights to Domino Day for all RTL behind Domino Day, Robin Weijers. Domino Group's channels. In addition to the TV rights, Day is definitely one of the top brands among for the first time ever we also pre-negotiated RTL's event programmes and its success over the production packages for the channels many years proves viewers' strong interest in involved". this unique record show".

Over the past few years, the major event show, The next Domino Day will be broadcast on RTL in which domino world records are regularly Television in Germany in November, as in pre- set, has attained an average market share of vious years. Jörg Graf (joerg.graf@rtl.de) is at over 30% in the target group of 14 to 49-year- the disposal of all RTL Group partners as the olds for RTL Television in Germany. person to contact in connection with the acqui- sition of TV rights. Domino Day is also a great success for RTL Group’s channels in Belgium, Hungary, Croatia, Russia and the UK. The last show in November 2006 com- manded for example a market share of 22.1 per cent on RTL TVI (target group: 18-54-year-olds), 39.1 per cent on RTL Klub (target group: 18-49-year-olds) and 45.8 per cent on RTL Televizija in Croatia (target group: 18-49-year-olds).

Jörg Graf Tom Sänger

5 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Legendary show host Bob Barker bows out FremantleMedia's game show The Price is Right has been wildly successful in the USA for deca- des now. And one of the reasons for its runaway success is definitely the show's host, Bob Barker, who has finally called it a day, after 35 years on the job. Bob Barker North America - 11.06.2007

In the USA, The Price Is Right is unthinkable without Bob Barker. The 83-year-bowed out in style on 6 June 2007, and CBS will broadcast his final appearance on the programme on 15 June. For weeks, his fans had been camping out in front of the TV studio's gates. Tickets for the show were already sold out long ago.

Bob Barker started working on The Price Is Right on 4 September 1972, and his face soon became synonymous with the show. In an impressive career, Bob Barker won 17 Emmy Awards, including 12 as best show host. In 1999 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award, and in 2004 he entered the Hall of Fame of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. This year he was again nominated for two Emmy Awards.

FremantleMedia's The Price Is Right is the top-ranking daytime TV show in the USA.

6 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

104.6 RTL gave away the first ever wedding in Berlin's Olympic Stadium Football fans Petra and Jörg from Berlin swapped rings, not football shirts, as they were the first couple to marry in Berlin's Olympic Stadium, thanks to 104.6 RTL! Jörg, Petra and Marlitt Hielscher, radio presenter 104.6 RTL Germany - 11.06.2007

The starry-eyed couple have been together for The stadium chapel was opened in May 2006, over 12 years, and were finally set to tie the just before the World Cup, and was originally knot at the home ground of their favourite foot- open only to visiting teams and their support ball team at 14.00 on 9 June. staff. The chapel is now open to visitors taking part on a guided tour through the facilities. 104.6 RTL, Berlin's hit radio station has arran- ged to make the love-struck pair the first Sports fans from Berlin and elsewhere may also newly-weds to emerge from the stadium's cha- use the chapel to attend mass, get married, pel after a wedding billed as the most original christen their babies, say their prayers or hold of the year. commemorative services.

FremantleMedia and @radical.media form alliance for the distribution of content Under the terms of a development-oriented deal concluded between FremantleMedia and @radical.media, the two companies will cooperate on worldwide content distribution across all platforms.

North America - 08.06.2007

The new arrangement is expected to bring at @radical.media is known for its entertaining least two new television programmes to productions and know-how in graphic and audiences worldwide in 2008. interactive design and photography. Some of the company’s recent successful branded The deal was prompted by the two companies’ series include the reality shows The Game- joint success with the interview series killers and Fast Cars and Superstars: Gillette Iconoclasts, which is poised to start its third Young Guns Celebrity Race. Also credited to season. FremantleMedia has already distribu- @radical.media are the Emmy Award-winning ted the series developed by @radical.media in series 10 Days That Changed the World, the 39 countries. Academy Award-winning The Fog of War and the Grammy Award-winning Concert for George.

7 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Filming starts on gripping thriller about attempted assassination of the Pope Phoebus Film, a UFA company in Germany, is currently filming Das letzte Aufgebot (The Last Call) for RTL Television with a cast of internatio- nal stars. Piazza San Pietro (Vatican) today Germany - 08.06.2007

The Pope is about to visit Cologne. The Additional scenes will also be shot in southern German security services are not the only ones Spain. The cast includes Heiner Lauterbach, working all out in preparation for the event due Gesine Cukrowski, Jürgen Tarrach, Jean-Yves to be attended by thousands of believers. Berteloot and Gottfried John. Alongside the Vatican's secret service, two offi- cers from the German Federal Criminal Police Das letzte Aufgebot (working title) is a Phoebus Office (BKA) are also responsible for protecting Film production commissioned by RTL. the Holy Father. Markus Brunnemann is the producer.

This is no easy task as evidence mounts indicating that an assassination attempt is being planned. An exciting development of connections between the individual characters creates a gripping thriller in which belief in oneself comes into conflict with the power of the Catholic church. The production will be filmed with a cast of stars in Cologne from 14 June.

Heiner Lauterbach Jean-Yves Berteloot

Piazza San Piedro (Vatican) in 1909

8 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

RTL TVI / Plug TV: more programmes for PlayStation Portable users RTL's Belgian family has expanded its cooperation with Sony Benelux. Belgium – 07.06.2007

Four daily RTL TVI news bulletins and nume- RTL Digital’s celebrity magazine RTL Stars and rous programmes broadcast by Plug TV can numerous programmes shown on Plug TV, now be watched by viewers at any time on their including Blog Buster, Plug Hi-fi and Plug PlayStation Portable (PSP). Paparazzi.

As from 6 June, it is possible to download RTL Belgium is happy to have expanded its these programmes from a PC to a Sony offer and said in a press release: "This agree- PlayStation Portable. All the viewer has to do is ment shows that RTL is offering its viewers the surf to the www.rtl.be or www.plugtv.be websi- choice to watch what they want, when they te and then watch these programmes anywhe- want, how they want". re they choose, thanks to Sony technology.

The news bulletins available for downloading are the 10.00, 12.00, 15.00 and 18.00 bulletins. Until now, the only news programme that could be viewed in this way was the 19.00 bulletin. Other programmes available in the same way include

9 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Record ratings for D&CO on M6 With an audience share of 37.4 per cent in its target group, the lifestyle magazine D&CO is one of M6's biggest draws. France - 13.06.2007

Phoenix Film to shoot a movie about Romy Schneider's life Together with broadcasting corporation SWR, Phoenix Film, a German subsidiary of UFA, is planning to make a TV film about the iconic actress Romy Schneider. Germany - 13.06.2007

Super RTL's website Element Girls is causing Watch the video a furore on the Internet of the Element In May 2007, Super RTL's elementgirls.de website scored a Girls TV spot sensational 33,449,340 page impressions. The site is aimed at girls "Du hast viele between 10 and 15 years old and contains news, fun items and tips schöne Seiten" to guide the girls on their way to adulthood. Germany - 13.06.2007

Super RTL download portal offers new audio books for children The freshly launched Geolino extra audio book library is now available for downloading from Super RTL's Internet platform toni.de, marking the start of a joint venture between Geolino and the most successful children's audio book portal. Germany - 12.06.2007

Advantage Club RTL ! Club RTL in Belgium will be broadcasting the famous Grand Slam tournament, Wimbledon, from the very first serve on 25 June to the winning shot in the last match on 8 July 2007. Belgium - 08.06.2007

10 week 24 the RTL Group intranet

Birgit Hönsch appointed new head of RTL Enterprises Birgit Hönsch Germany – 12.06.2007

Hönsch will be stepping into the shoes of Holger Strecker, who after seven years in the post will henceforth be in charge of developing the new RTL Interactive subsidiary RTL Games, which will focus on the growth market of com- puter and video games.

Hönsch has been in the music and TV business since 1968, working as a product manager for the music companies EMI and Mercury Records, among others. She also ran the TV Department at the music publishing house Kick music and served as marketing manager at Sony Music, where she was responsible for the group's Columbia Records subsidiary.

Between 1998 and April 2001, Hönsch was Head of Merchandising & Music Production at Grundy UFA TV Produktions GmbH. Since April 2001, she has been in charge of Fremantle- Media Licensing Group's licensing business in Germany and its worldwide music publishing activities.

11 http://backstage.rtlgroup.fr http://backstage.rtlgroup.com http://backstage.rtlgroup.de

Publisher RTL Group 45, Bd Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg

Editor, Design, Production RTL Group Corporate Communications and Marketing