François Pirette Is Back to Bring the Laughs on the Belgian TV Channel RTL-TVI

week 44 / 31 October 2013

COMEDY GOLD! François Pirette is back to bring the laughs on the Belgian TV channel RTL-TVI

North America Australia Canada France The X Factor leads FremantleMedia Broadband TV Groupe M6 global app voting and BBC team expands service publishes system up in Australia offering with third-quarter talent management results partners week 44 / 31 October 2013

COMEDY GOLD! François Pirette is back to bring the laughs on the Belgian TV channel RTL-TVI

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

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The X Factor leads global app voting system FremantleMedia North America p. 8 The belgian King of comedy is François Pirette FremantleMedia RTL-TVI and BBC team up p.4–7 in Australia FremantleMedia Australia p. 9

Broadband TV expands service offering with talent Big Picture management partnership p.12 Broadband TV p. 10

SHORT Groupe M6 publishes third-quarter results NEWS Groupe M6 p. 11 p. 13–14

PEOPLE

p.15

THE

The comedian BELGIAN François Pirette recently returned to RTL-TVI with the right ingredients for comedic success: KING OF spontaneity, eccentric characters and proximity to the crowd. COMEDY

Belgium – 31 October 2013 RTL-TVI

François Pirette (left), the Belgian king of comedy, performing in Les Gens d’En Bas

4 On 22 Octobre 2013, after three months of absence, Well). In 2004, he joined RTL-TVI, with his own François Pirette returned to the Belgian ﬂ agship seasonal show: the Pirette show, consisting of channel RTL-TVI with his famous show Les Gens sketches and parodies. d’En Bas. For this welcome return of Belgium’s favourite comedian, the channel attracted 35.2 In 2008, Pirette also began starring in per cent of shoppers aged 18 to 54. The show will advertisements for the Post Ofﬁ ce. Following be broadcast once a month and is expected to this, in 2009 he resumed his telephone hoaxes in maintain its top rating position for another season. commercials for ‘Kit Kat’. After writing several one- As in the previous year, each show drew in on man-shows for RTL-TVI between 2007 and 2011 average 692,400 viewers, securing a total audience – all of which were met with great success – the share of 37.4 per cent. According to the newspaper channel launched in 2012 the monthly one man Le Soir (31/12/2012), Francois Pirette’s show show Les Gens d’En Bas (The Guys From Down Les Gens d’En Bas received Belgium’s highest Below), recorded at the “On Air Studio” in Mons. On television rating for 2012 excluding football and the occasion of his 30-year career in 2013, the show news. moved to the casino Viage in Brussels.

His shows take the form of sketches in which Pirette plays various characters taken from the Belgian social scenery. His roles are largely inspired by his hometown and family surroundings. Pirette is a politically engaged artist and his performances subsequently highlight Belgium’s communal tensions and political challenges. His show Political Asylum, broadcasted on 18 December Top ten ratings for François Pirette shows on RTL-TVI (2004 – 2013)

Despite living in France for the last 18 years, Pirette draws his inspiration from the Belgian social and political scenery. François Pirette is proud of his national identity and this pride echoes through his work. He is adored by the Belgian audiences and for this reason, is unsurprisingly celebrating 30 years of a successful career. His material centres The “Diables Rouges” on current affairs, such as the Royal Family and the ‘Diables Rouges’, but he also continues to provoke – the Belgian national hilarity with the aide of his well-known eccentric football team – recently personalities who are part of the country’s theatrical qualified for the 2014 heritage (see page 7). FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Following this, François Born in 1963 in Mons (Belgium), François Pirette Pirette made a parody began his career as a 20-year-old student on RTBF of the hit song Formidable by Belgian singer radio. He spent his weekends working for the radio’s Stromae. switchboard. His talent was quickly recognised which led to the opportunity to host his own Sunday Pirette’s video “Forts les Diables” attracted programme, mainly consisting of telephone hoaxes. more than: In 1992, he wrote his ﬁ rst one-man show: 58 ans en 2021 (58-years-old in 2021) and two years 900,000 views on the artist’s Facebook account later moved to France to join the radio host Laurent Ruquier on France Inter. In 1994, upon his return to 294,065 views on Youtube Belgium, he wrote his second one-man show: J’ai 76,235 views on RTL Belgium’s website très bien connu Chose (I Have Known Stuff Very

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5 2007 on RTL-TVI, gathered more than 950,000 His caustic sense of humour appeals to the viewers which represented a total audience of overwhelming majority of the Belgian audience, 50.2 per cent share of the total audience. eliciting laughter and an unparalleled experience Aside from this, Pirette has also hosted special for his crowd. People of all ages and cultural programmes, such as a special show background respond to his unique sense of paying tribute to the popular French humour. His witty scripts satisfy even the most TV host Michel Drucker (broadcast on RTL-TVI demanding public. The roles he is performing are in June 2013). For the occasion, François Pirette brilliant in their simplicity. Through his delivery, brought together personalities that inﬂ uenced the Pirette renders ordinary next-door individuals, to presenter’s childhood, among them, singer Adamo fascinating eccentric personalities and hereby, and cyclist Eddy Merckx, but also the Belgian guarantees high audience shares for RTL-TVI. Premier Minister Elio Di Rupo. Commenting on the RTL-TVI’s collaboration with Laughter is regarded as harder to provoke the artist, Stéphane Rosenblatt, Head of Television than tears. However, the most renowned Belgian of RTL Belgium says: “François Pirette is really an comedian makes it look easy. You do not need to amazing character because he has a very strong stretch your imagination to see that François Pirette connection with the Belgian French-speaking public; is a charismatic comedian who shares a unique he understands their state of mind, and thus shares connection with his public. His sketches, often with a proximity with his audience. Since he knows all strong political and cultural undertones, resonate their peculiarities and little ﬂ aws, he mocks them in with his fans. His caustic humour relies on wit and hilarious way, but always with love and kindness. is primarily designed to burn and to mobilise the Francophone Belgians can relate to the characters Belgians to question current affairs. With the use in his sketches, and for this reason his stories of hyperbole, he evokes strong feelings and puts resonate with them. Pirette’s comedy genius stems the spot light on Belgium’s hot political topics. His from the fact that he takes his material from every scripts are captivating and his performances brilliant. day scenarios which renders every show an event in His success derives from this well-orchestrated itself. In terms of cooperation with the channel, now combination of hilarious material and outstanding approaching ten years, it is a relationship which has delivery. evolved over time but always meeting with the same success. Pirette’s show is equally important for both As with any form of art, acceptance relates to the strategy and the positioning of the channel. Each social demographics and varies from individual to performance is new, unique and especially scripted individual. That does not apply to Francois Pirette. for television.”

“PIRETTE’S COMEDY GENIUS STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT HE TAKES HIS MATERIAL FROM EVERY DAY SCENARIOS WHICH RENDERS EVERY SHOW AN EVENT IN ITSELF” Stéphane Rosenblatt, Head of Television, RTL Belgium

Stéphane Rosenblatt

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6 FAMOUS CHARACTERS PERFORMED BY FRANÇOIS PIRETTE

NATHALIE’S MOM The nationally recognised, stereotypical Belgian middle-class housewife. Distinguishing features: her nightgown and the curlers she always wears. “Nathaliiieeeeee!”

AMÉDÉE An eighty-something year-old, who we are led to believe has Alzheimer’s, has been put in a retirement home by his nephew. Distinguishing features: plaid patterned dressing gown and a walking stick. “Nurseeeeee?!??!!”

ALLÔ CHEF A Belgian construction worker who has accidentally demolished the wrong house (based on a true story). Distinguishing features: overalls and ear muffs. “Allô Chef!!!”

MRS TERMOL Elderly woman living alone with her dog. In the sketch she is often seen talking to her “friend” Mrs Boekaert. Distinguishing features: Earrings and middle-class clothes. “Aie !!! phone !!!!”

KEVIN’S MOTHER A popular character for the Belgian crowd, well-known for her role in the sketch J’ai très bien connu Chose. Distinguishing features: red helmet, trench coat and a handbag. “Kevin I’ll smack you in the face!!!!”

7 THE X FACTOR LEADS GLOBAL APP VOTING SYSTEM FremantleMedia North America

Starting on Wednesday 6 November, the exclusive partnership between FremantleMedia North America, Fox and Syco Entertainment will grant The X Factor fans the opportunity to vote for their favourite acts using the most popular music and TV app in the world, Shazam. North America – 28 October 2013

Fans can vote for their preferred acts via the Shazam App Sponsored by Honda across all digital platforms, access to online voting will begin after the ﬁ rst live Top 12 performance show on 31 October. Besides being able to vote for their preferred acts via the Shazam App, fans of The X Factor can also: ABOUT SHAZAM Click to purchase songs performed by contestants, as well as Shazam is a commercial mobile the recording artists featured in-show during the broadcast, phone based music identification Access additional show videos and content, service and one of the Top 10 SuperVote – cast multiple votes at one time – via most-downloaded apps in the TheXFactorUSA.com, The X Factor USA app (data and world. Currently holding over 105 message rates may apply), the Shazam App and Facebook at Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA. million app users just in the US, Shazam uses most smartphone’s Shazam CEO Rich Riley says: “The X Factor is that perfect marriage built-in microphone to gather a 15 of music and television that Shazam users love. We are thrilled to work second sample of the music being with FremantleMedia North America, Fox and Syco Entertainment and played. An acoustic fingerprint is in this ﬁ rst-of-its-kind chance for The X Factor fans to use the Shazam then created from the sample, and App to vote for their favourite acts.” is compared against a main external database for a match. If a match is In addition to online voting, fans will continue to be able to vote during found, information such as the artist the voting window via toll-free calling, as well as text messaging. name, song title, and album are sent back to the user. Links to services like iTunes, YouTube or Spotify are incorporated into some versions of the App.

8 AN AUSTRALIAN PARTNERSHIP FremantleMedia Australia

In a new multi-year deal between FremantleMedia Australia and BBC Worldwide, the production company will work alongside BBC Worldwide Australia & New Zealand (ANZ) to produce entertainment formats from the BBC’s catalogue for the Australian market. Australia – 30 October 2013

The BBC has a world-class entertainment catalogue, which – thanks to this new production partnership – will be available to Australian viewers. The partnership includes current library and future general entertainment formats.

Ian Hogg, CEO, FremantleMedia Australia (FMA), comments: “FremantleMedia and BBC Worldwide have a shared DNA for creative excellence. We very much look forward to working with the BBC Worldwide ANZ leadership team. This is a powerful partnership that will be transformational for both companies.”

Jon Penn, Managing Director of BBC Worldwide ANZ, adds: “We needed a partner who could bring excellent production skills and the ability to create multi-platform brands to the mix. FMA has a proven track record in both these areas, with shows like Australia’s Got Talent, The X Factor, Project Runway and Ian Hogg, CEO, FremantleMedia Australia Grand Designs, all of which are well produced and have a strong connection with audiences beyond the TV screen. This deal will enable BBC Worldwide to grow its content business for Australia, which in turn will provide more exciting commercial opportunities off screen.”

9 BROADBAND TV EXPANDS SERVICE OFFERING WITH TALENT MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP Broadband TV

The Multi-Channel Network (MCN) Broadband TV, the company RTL Group announced a strategic partnership with in June 2013, has joined forces with Atomic Partners, the top Youtube talent management company. Canada – 29 October 2013

Shahrzad Rafati, CEO and Founder of Broadband TV The exclusive deal brings together the scale and reach of the leading MCN with deep talent management expertise from the New York agency. The partnership enhances Broadband TV’s growing MCN network with premium channels, including: KYR SP33DY, Woodysgamertag and Videogames.

The new talent management offering adds to the existing suite of Broadband TV services that help partners become more successful, including: partner services, creative and promotion services, advertising sales and its leading technology platform. Broadband TV is one of the world’s largest entertainment networks on Youtube with over 12,000 network partners amassing one billion impressions per month.

Regarding the partnership, Shahrzad Rafati, CEO and Founder of Broadband TV, comments: “Since inception we have focused on building a solid, scalable and high growth business. It is a strategy that has served us well. We are now bolstering our growth with a number of market-leading services to ensure that our partners remain as successful as possible.”

Lars Feely, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Atomic Partners, says: “We have always had great respect for Broadband TV and we are looking forward to working more closely together. Our partners beneﬁ t from the technological expertise of the network and large Broadband TV partners can work more closely with us to take their channel to the next level.”

10 GROUPE M6 PUBLISHES THIRD-QUARTER RESULTS Groupe M6

In the ﬁ rst nine months of 2013, Groupe M6 generated consolidated revenues of €991.5 million (down 0.2 per cent), while EBITA came to €153.9 million. France – 31 October 2013

Having demonstrated its resilience in a weakened economic environment during the ﬁ rst half of the year, Groupe M6 recorded an increase in consolidated revenues during the third quarter (up 3.7 per cent), in an economic climate that continued unfavourable.

The channel M6’s advertising revenues returned to growth (up 2.5 per cent), whilst other advertising revenues increased by 10.4 per cent. Non-advertising revenues grew by 3.1 per cent. Though demand from advertisers was slightly stronger than during the ﬁ rst part of the year, advertising market visibility remained limited.

M6 achieved an average total audience share of 10.9 per cent, an increase over the 10.5 per cent seen during the ﬁ rst half of the year, and 17.1 per cent across the commercial target (vs. 15.8 per cent).

During the third quarter of 2013, revenues from the Group’s digital channels grew 7.6 per cent, driven by W9 and 6ter. W9 conﬁ rmed its position as the leading DTT channel in the commercial target, with a 4 per cent audience share over the third quarter. It also strengthened its position as the leading DTT channel among viewers aged 4 and above during the strategic 5pm to midnight time slot. In addition, 6ter conﬁ rmed its status as the leading HD DTT channel among the housewives under 50 group, with a 0.9 per cent audience share over the third quarter.

Revenues from Diversiﬁ cation and Audiovisual Rights reached €120.7 million over the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 3.8 per cent. This is partly driven by the fact that revenues from Audiovisual Rights operations grew 36.7 per cent, primarily due to their successful summer releases, and revenues from the Interactions Division increased by 4.5 per cent thanks to the success of the albums released this summer, even though M6 Web revenues fell by 11.8 per cent.

Change in the ﬁ nancial position and outlook Group equity totalled €551.6 million at 30 September 2013 (against €659.3 million at 30 September 2012) with a net cash position of €217.8 million. In a TV advertising market that is in decline, the Group remains cautious as to how revenues will trend and will maintain its investments in programming. The Groupe M6 Q3 Results (English - PDF)

11 Zombified Ratings

Just in time for Halloween, RTL II in Germany treats viewers to the ﬁ rst three seasons of The Walking Dead. On 30 October, the episodes of the second season scored audience shares of up to 21.7 per cent among viewers aged 14 to 49. On 31 October at 23:15, RTL II will start broadcasting the third season of the popular Zombie series. SHORT NEWS 1/2

Rosi Mittermeier helps blind children RTL Television

Rosi Mittermeier, former ski champion and a ‘RTL – Wir helfen Kindern’ mentor, travelled to the southwest of Zimbabwe to advocate aid for blind and visually impaired children. Germany – 25 October 2013

Bags at the heart of Atresmedia’s new charity campaign Atresmedia

The Fundación Atresmedia has recently launched a new charity campaign aiming at collecting funds to improve the lives of 100,000 children in hospitals via a sale of bags especially designed for this purpose. Spain – 25 October 2013

Les Reines du Shopping returns in triumph M6

Launched in June 2013 in prime time on M6, the programme hosted by Cristina Cordula passed its two-week test with ﬂ ying colours. On 21 October 2013, it was back on the air and hasn’t lost any of its brilliance, as proven by a 23.5 per cent audience share among housewives under 50. France – 28 October 2013

N-TV gives viewers a ‘short break’ N-TV

N-TV has new commercial bumpers: 19 striking, high-quality short ﬁ lm pieces are now ringing in the news channel’s ‘short breaks’ from now on. Germany – 29 October 2013

13 SHORT NEWS 2/2

FremantleMedia Australia Can Do That! FremantleMedia Australia

FremantleMedia Australia has picked up the much talked-about prime time format from Armoza, I Can Do That! Australia – 29 October 2013

Two adverts for the launch of new programmes M6

As of 30 October 2013, French cinemas are hosting M6’s latest major-event ad campaigns to promote the series Under the Dome and the programme Ice Show. France – 30 October 2013

Club’ 40 continues Fun Radio

Fun Radio and the Yacast monitoring company have just renewed their agreement for the weekly presentation of the Club’ 40 rankings. France – 30 October 2013

Cake dreams come true at Vox Vox

From 2 November, Vox will broadcast Tortenschlacht (Pie Fight) Saturdays at 17:00 – four talented amateur bakers will face a critical judging panel in two challenges to determine the best baker. Germany – 31 October 2013

Israel has X Factor ratings! FremantleMedia

The X Factor Israel recently launched on Reshet TV as the highest- rated talent show launch in Israel ever. Attracting 1.1 million viewers and an audience share of 42.9 per cent, the show outperformed all other rival talent shows. Israel – 31 October 2013

14 PEOPLE CAROLINE SPENCER FremantleMedia Australia Australia – 25 October 2013

FremantleMedia Australia (FMA) announced the promotion of Caroline Spencer to the position of Director of Development, effective immediately.

Spencer will lead the development process for new entertainment and reality formats, as well as adapting international formats for the Australian market. She will work closely with FremantleMedia’s global development team lead by Rob Clark, Director of Global Entertainment Development (GED). This will ensure FMA is at the forefront of format creation, drawing on its extensive worldwide resources.

Ian Hogg, CEO FMA, says, “Caroline is an incredibly intuitive television producer and her creativity Rob Clark, Director of Global Entertainment Development is unquestionable. Her new role gives us more focus and renewed energy in this critical part of the business.”

Rob Clark, Director GED, comments, “I am genuinely excited to have Caroline lead the development team at FMA. Her dynamic personality and creative experience will be a great asset to our global development network. Australia has a huge role to play and I know she is up to the challenge.”

Caroline Spencer adds, “I’m thrilled to be joining Ian’s executive team. The TV landscape is changing so rapidly and so profoundly, so to be part of the “pointy end” in development is a dream-come-true for me. The opportunity to work more closely with Ian and Rob is an added bonus.”

Spencer has had great success as an executive producer with FMA on programs such as MasterChef, The Farmer Wants A Wife and Recipe To Riches. She has been with FMA since 2008.

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