week 8 / 19 February 2015

MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT

How Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland expands its business in the digital space

United Kingdom FremantleMedia acquires stake in Corona TV

The Netherlands / North America RTL Nederland and SpotXchange join forces

France Groupe M6 announces full-year results

week 8 / 19 February 2015

MAXIMUM ENTERTAINMENT

How Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland expands its business in the digital space

United Kingdom FremantleMedia acquires stake in Corona TV

The Netherlands / North America RTL Nederland and SpotXchange join forces

France Groupe M6 announces full-year results

Cover Montage

Publisher

RTL Group45, Bd Pierre FriedenL-1543 Luxembourg

Editor, Design, ProductionRTL Group

Corporate Communications & Marketing

backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de

Think before you print

QUICK VIEW

“More experimentation, more partnerships, more inspiration”RTL Interactive p.4–7

Big Picturep.18

SHORTNEWS

p.19–20

Frank Hoffmann: “Relevance and

popularity are both important to us”

RTL Television p.11–12

“We are still bound by constraints that belong to another age” Groupe M6 p.14–15

Building strong synergies

SpotXchange / RTL Nederland

p.10

Groupe M6 announces full-year results for 2014 Groupe M6p.13

Heroic melodies RTL Group

p.16–17

FremantleMedia bolsters its

scripted pipeline FremantleMedia

p.8–9

PEOPLE

p.21–22

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“MORE EXPERIMENTATION,

MORE PARTNERSHIPS, MORE INSPIRATION”

Germany – 19 February 2015

RTL Interactive

Backstage travelled to Cologne and interviewed

RTL Interactive’s Managing Director Marc Schröder on

the interplay between digital businesses and

entertainment.

Marc Schröder, Managing Director of RTL Interactive

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Entertainment is Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s supreme discipline – in free-to-air, advertising-financed television and beyond. With RTL Interactive, RTL Group’s largest profit centre is opening up new fields of action: digital, interactive and transaction-based, for maximum entertainment.

A digital perspective

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland coordinates the digital businesses related to its brands via RTL Interactive and develops innovative topics, products and platforms that are attractive to the public and advertisers alike. These include the realms of online, mobile, Teletext, IPTV, media services (telephone and SMS value added services) and licensing. The development and expansion of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s portfolio not only increases the prospects of additional income beyond TV advertising revenues, but also strengthens viewer loyalty and opens up access to new target groups. The guiding principle here is to sharpen the unit’s profile as an innovative entertainment company across all devices and platforms.

Marc Schröder, who is also a member of the Management Board of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland in charge of strategic business development, explains the strategy: “With our digital core business activities we want to expand the revenue base of our core broadcasting business with online video. We distinguish between revenues from advertising, transactions and distribution. At the same time, we want to diversify our risk profile by building new lines of business that are independent from our core business.”

Trailblazer in online shopping

RTL Interactive took the first step in this direction in January 2012 with the acquisition of Gutscheine.de. The internet portal is one of Germany’s biggest e-coupon portals and offers its customers thousands of online discount vouchers, promotions and regional e-coupons from renowned companies, redeemable in conventional e-commerce transactions. Schröder is pleased with the investment: “In three years, Gutscheine.de has developed very nicely and exceeded all expectations.” With Sparwelt GmbH (previously Econa Shopping GmbH), the operator of the German shopping guide and e-coupon platform Sparwelt.de, RTL Interactive finally consolidated the rapidly developing market in 2014. “With Gutscheine.de being the number two and Sparwelt.de being now the number one in the market, we are are a strong market leader in Germany. We try to position our offers on the market so that they complement each other,” adds Schröder.

The goal for the investments that are independent of the TV advertising market is to generate as many synergies as possible. In Schröder’s words: “The lines of business benefit from our skills and resources. The free airtime and promotional integration of the products through measures such as TV commercials and sales collaborations are particularly important here.” Schröder explains that while some of the strategic investments are usually media services, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland does not consider itself a pure financial investor that uses media services to acquire an interest in young start-ups. “We are not venture capitalists and deliberately decided against purely financial investments in young start-ups. We invest strategically in later-stage digital and e-commerce companies with a view to obtaining controlling interests. Our investments are designed to achieve a sustainable earnings contribution beyond our content business,” Schröder goes on.

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RTL Interactive brings content on all platforms and devices

Sparwelt.de and Gutscheine.de are the market leaders in the German e-coupon business

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Diverse presence in the VOD business

RTL Interactive has already established itself in the ad-financed video-on-demand (VOD) market with the Now family – the catch-up TV services of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s TV channels. This also includes a presence on Select Video, a VOD offering of cable operator Kabel Deutschland, and the HD + Replay platform, a common German platform for the catch-up content of commercial TV channels. “The model proves that you do not always have to even be the operator. We are in advanced talks with other platform operators who want to integrate our Now broadcasting family into their VOD offerings. Our goal is always to do the promotional marketing ourselves and continue to maintain the visibility of our channels’ brand identity,” highlights Schröder. Customers are more willing to pay for better picture quality and mobility in connection with special events like football. The proof: the football live stream available on RTL Now for the European Qualifiers is quite popular. As is Now apps for the channels RTL Television, Vox and RTL II, which let users watch episodes of their favourite shows and live streaming of the programme line-up on their mobile devices for a nominal fee starting at €1.79 per month. Schröder explains the rationale behind charging for content: “In order to keep the market in balance, we follow a very consistent and systematic pricing and conditions policy. This is the only way we can make our linear and non-linear products available on various platforms.”

Free platform, professional content

With the free video platform Clipfish, RTL Interactive took the step of completely dispensing with user-generated content. “We used the Clipfish Music, Comedy, Anime, Series, Films, Fitness & Yoga and Dooloop channels to create and verticalise sub-brands,” explains Schröder. “We plan to continue investing in content here. In this connection, we have signed a licensing agreement with the BBC to

offer the British broadcaster’s high-quality content to users in Germany on a free, ad-financed basis.” The advantage of this channel strategy is that the Clipfish channels are also available on smart TVs, such as the new Clipfish Filme channel. The Hbb TV standard allows users to switch between linear and non-linear video offerings, independent of app stores and the special menus of a given device manufacturer.

Linear television is still number one in Germany

Regarding the highly competitive SVOD market, Schröder says: “I’m convinced that an SVOD customer will use a maximum of one or two offers – and that’s where their willingness to pay ends. The question is whether a single German provider can manage to aggregate sufficient content to corner the market.” After all, market entrants like the US platform Netflix face major challenges in the German SVOD market. A strong free-TV landscape and the resulting low willingness to pay for content, strong licence-fee financed public-service broadcasting and “a strong pay-TV provider that took decades to build up an operationally profitable business” create “a difficult starting position for paid content in general,” says the RTL Interactive Managing Director.

Besides, competition within the SVOD segment with services such as Watchever and Amazon, that generate customers for prime subscriptions via their video offering, is already very intense. Schröder is convinced that the SVOD market will consolidate. At the same time, there is no reason to be worried about linear television, he says: “I believe that SVOD will have a short-term impact mainly on pay-TV. It’s true that if a person watches two episodes of House of Cards in one evening that will presumably affect traditional linear TV usage in the medium term. The idea here is to seize the arising opportunities. This applies to the media markets in general.”

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The Now family

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Openness combined with loyalty

Marc Schröder wants to embed an entrepreneurial spirit in his team, with a “mix of thinkers and people who put things into action in a straightforward manner.” RTL Interactive has to dare to do more things and react more quickly to any missteps, he says. “Most of our activities have long been mainstreamed into the core business and must meet the same standards of quality and safety.

Nevertheless, we must think out-of-the-box and be innovative every day – not just with the content and products that we build and design on a daily basis, but also with new business models. The goal here is more experimentation, more partnerships, and more inspiration.”

The new Clipfish Filme channel offers a wide range of movies

ABOUT E-COUPONS AND GROUPONS

E-coupons and groupons are price-marketing measures that shops use to generate new customers. Nevertheless, there is an important difference, which is why Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland relies on e-coupons:

E-coupons are redeemed online in conventional e-commerce transactions. When shopping at an online store, customers can redeem free discount codes found on e-coupon sites like Sparwelt.de and Gutscheine.de, and thus receive a discount. E-coupon providers market them in collaboration with large to medium-sized online shops.

Groupons are classic traditional vouchers for products or services that can be redeemed in the offline world for flowers, a pizza or a massage, for example. Customers can purchase them online and then trade them in for the purchased product or service at the respective business by presenting a printout. Groupon providers therefore require extensive local sales networks.

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On 12 February 2015, FremantleMedia announced it is taking a 25 per cent stake in Corona TV, the newly-created TV production company from renowned filmmaking duo Richard Johns and Rupert Jermyn. United Kingdom – 13 February 2015

The deal, which gives FremantleMedia a first look option on all Corona TV output, furthers FremantleMedia’s ambition to build its scripted pipeline with projects that will have an epic and cinematic feel and attract international co-production funding. The deal was brokered by FremantleMedia’s Director of Global Drama, Sarah Doole, who will take a seat on the board of the new company.

Sarah Doole says: “Richard and Rupert have together over twenty five years’ experience in producing successful feature films. Because of this, they look at scripted projects in a completely different way from most production companies, bringing a big screen presence to the small screen. We have looked at their production slate and they have some exciting ideas which are ripe for international co-production funding. Having them as part of the FremantleMedia family gives us some brilliant projects for our scripted pipeline, while our existing infrastructure will help bring their epic ideas to fruition. I cannot wait to get started.”

Richard Johns and Rupert Jermyn add: “We are absolutely delighted to have made this deal with the dynamic team at FremantleMedia. As film-makers we have always created big stories for the world rather than one particular market. This move gives Corona Television the strategic financing, distribution and marketing firepower most drama producers can only dream of, allowing us to tell stories for TV on a truly global scale.”

FREMANTLEMEDIA BOLSTERS ITS SCRIPTED PIPELINE

FremantleMedia

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FremantleMedia already has a relationship with Johns and Jermyn, having previously worked on the development of Birds of Prey, a TV adaption of the first three novels of Wilbur Smith’s Courtney series. The new company has a number of new projects in the pipeline, with internationally renowned writers and producers already attached, with announcements planned in due course.

About Corona TV

Corona TV is a sister company of Corona Pictures, which was founded by Johns and Jermyn in London in 2009. The company develops, produces and markets feature films and television programmes to every country in the world, including the major established markets and key emerging markets such as China. In recent years Corona Pictures produced and released the multiple award-winning darkly comic hitman road movie The Liability. Prior to that, the company made Robert Heath’s psychological thriller Truth or Dare. Both films found strong distribution market appetite and are now on release in over twenty four international territories. The company is now building rapidly from this production base.

Sarah Doole, Director of Global Drama at FremantleMedia

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On 12 February 2015, RTL Group’s companies RTL Nederland and SpotXchange announced the launch of a joint venture for the Benelux region. North America / The Netherlands – 13 February 2015

Under the deal, SpotXchange Benelux provides agencies, advertisers and trading desks with direct access to broadcast quality video inventory from the video-on-demand (VOD) platform RTL XL, and other top gaming, sports, and entertainment publishers affiliated with the Videostrip network. As of mid-March, the joint venture will operate from Amsterdam, where SpotXchange Benelux will be located, bringing SpotXchange’s programmatic expertise and sales and account support to premium publishers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland, says: “Our strategy is to always capitalise on new opportunities in the market and to keep innovating. This strategy does not only concern our B2C activities, but certainly also applies to what we provide advertisers with. We are at the forefront when it comes to trading digital advertising positions and own the largest online video network in the Netherlands. This partnership with SpotXchange is the next logical step. We will profit from their technology- and data-based competencies.”

Mike Shehan, CEO of SpotXchange, adds: “SpotXchange is very focused on becoming the leading video inventory management platform in Europe, and SpotXchange Benelux is an exciting step toward that goal, as it marks our first office in continental Europe. As announced with the acquisition, RTL Group’s decentralised operation will give SpotXchange the chance to thrive and grow as the last independent digital video ad monetisation platform. It provides significant opportunities to work with RTL Group’s leading European broadcast companies. We recognise the unique opportunities and challenges of each market and look forward to finding the best approach to increase uptake of programmatic video across the region.”

BUILDING STRONG SYNERGIES SpotXchange / RTL Nederland

Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland

Mike Shehan, CEO of SpotXchange

STRENGTHENING ASIAN FOOTPRINT

In response to explosive increase in Asia, SpotXchange has announced the opening of an office in Singapore to spearhead growth in the region. The office is located in Singapore’s central business district.

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In an interview with the newspaper Die Welt, RTL Television’s Programme Managing Director Frank Hoffmann talks about new German TV series and explains how the channel is positioning itself for international competition with contemporary history told in a popular way. Germany – 17 February 2015

According to Frank Hoffmann, with the eight-part spy drama Deutschland 83, produced by UFA Fiction and set in East and West Germany in 1983, RTL Television has managed, “to tell a sophisticated story that can nevertheless inspire a mass audience.” However, he points out, after the premiere at the Berlinale the biggest challenge is still ahead: “When the series airs this fall, we want Deutschland 83 to be a success on mainstream television.” He says that RTL Television’s variety of programmes, from historical content to entertainment formats, is not an inherent contradiction, but indeed one of the channel’s strengths. “Relevance and popularity are both important to us. As the market leader among commercial channels, we can’t afford to indulge exclusively in labours of love,” explains the 48-year-old.

Hoffmann says that US series such as House of Cards “certainly get a lot of attention,” but can only generate “niche success.” Instead, he explains, RTL Television uses “popular elements” that bring back personal memories for the audience. “We are trying to set a new tone with topics from the recent past.” He says that striking a balance between demand and

mass appeal has become more difficult because the audience is now “choosier and more impatient” and there is a “huge selection” of scripts and actors. “It has become more difficult, but by the same token more valuable when it succeeds. The lifeblood of mainstream is to create event-scale viewing experiences,” adds the Programme Managing Director.

FRANK HOFFMANN: “RELEVANCE AND POPULARITY ARE BOTH IMPORTANT TO US”

RTL Television

Frank Hoffmann, RTL Television’s Programme Managing Director

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However, the success of individual productions does not have a particularly strong influence on future projects, continues Hoffmann. “Our strategy does not depend on a single format. We are already working on programmes that will not air until 2016 or 2017. Probably not all of them will be a success. Tongue in cheek, we sometimes console ourselves by saying that even the audience can fail sometimes, but of course in the end we are the ones who failed to strike a chord.”

“An ingenious, counterintuitive look at the Cold War”Nytimes.com – 11 February 2015

“Rarely has a German series cast its spell so quickly and effectively”Dwdl.de – 11 February 2015

“With pace, wit and action Deutschland 83 has struck the right balance between convention and sophistication”Sueddeutsche.de – 13 February 2015

“The quality is spot on in any case. Deutschland 83 is fast-paced, visually

brilliant with a top-flight cast, excellent dialogue, humour and above all it is exciting and unusual”Bild.de – 12 February 2015

“Deutschland 83 is one of the intriguing television dramas that

made their international debuts at the Berlin International Film Festival”Nytimes.com – 11 February 2015

“It’s a start – producers Jörg Winger and Nico Hofmann and UFA show that German Television series are catching up internationally”Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung – 11 February 2015

The cast of Deutschland 83 at Berlin International Film Festival 2015

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In 2014, Groupe M6 posted consolidated revenues of €1,257.9 million, an increase of 0.4 per cent over the full year, despite a difficult market environment. Net profit for the period came to €123.2 million compared with €112.1 million in 2013, an increase of 9.9 per cent.France – 18 February 2015

Over the year, Groupe M6’s consolidated profit from recurring operations (EBITA) totalled €207.5 million, to be compared with €206.2 million in 2013, and €211.1 million for continuing operations respectively (restated for Mistergooddeal, which was sold on 31 March 2014). The consolidated margin from recurring operations was 16.5 per cent (2013: 16.8 per cent).

Under pressure from the economic slowdown, Groupe M6’s advertising revenues (free-to-air channels, pay channels and the Internet) were down 1.5 per cent, with a stronger second half-year. Non-advertising revenues recorded growth of 3.7 per cent, due to the momentum of distance-selling activities and production and audiovisual rights.

TelevisionIn 2014, advertising revenues from Groupe M6’s free-to-air channels decreased by 1.7 per cent in a flat television advertising market and against the backdrop of increased competition. The TV division contributed €144.0 million to EBITA, representing a €5.1 million drop compared to 2013. The decline in advertising revenue from free-to-air channels was offset by a €15.8 million reduction in the programming costs of these channels.

Productions and audiovisual rightsRevenues from production and audiovisual rights operations totalled €111.4 million in 2014, up 3.8 per cent in comparison with 2013, with EBITA of €10.3 million (down €1.2 million) due to a less favourable video line-up than in 2013.

DiversificationDiversification revenues totalled €333.0 million in 2014 (up 5.4 per cent compared to 2013), with a €2.6 million increase in contribution to EBITA.

DividendsAt the Combined General Meeting scheduled for 28 April 2015, the Executive Board will propose the payment of a dividend of €0.85 per share, unchanged from the dividend paid in 2014. The ex-dividend date will be 20 May and dividends will be paid on 22 May 2015.

GROUPE M6 ANNOUNCES FULL-YEAR RESULTS FOR 2014

Groupe M6

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Following the announcement of Groupe M6’s results for the 2014 financial year, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Groupe M6 Nicolas de Tavernost granted an interview to the French daily Le Figaro. France – 19 February 2015

In the interview, published on 18 February 2015, Nicolas de Tavernost analysed the financial results of Groupe M6, sketched out the channel’s future plans and talked about the media landscape in France. “2014 was a stable year for us. Despite the difficult context, our consolidated revenue totalled €1.2579 billion, up 0.4 per cent. The group’s advertising revenue dipped by 1.5 per cent in spite of the fact that the latter part of the year was more dynamic than its first half. On the other hand, our diversification activities, production and audiovisual rights generated 3.7 per cent more revenues, and our net profit rose by 9.9 per cent to €123.2 million. So bearing in mind the general context it was a satisfactory year,” de Tavernost explained.

Asked about the changes and plans lined up for the channel, de Tavernost said: “For M6, our aim is to keep our overall audience share above 10 per cent in 2015 and above 16 per cent in our commercial target group. For W9 we aim to be the evening leader among DTT broadcasters. Our target for 6ter is to continue the strong growth already achieved. I am not very worried about these objectives. We have revamped some major brands, like Top Chef. And several projects are under way. For instance, we are holding talks with producers with a view to developing a major prime time series. On 23 February will also see the start on M6 of Peplum,

a major three-part comedy made by Kabo, the successful producers of Scènes de ménage and En famille. Where sport is concerned we intend to invest in a few major events.”

Responding to a question about films, the Groupe M6 CEO remarked: “Here our revenues have risen by 3.8 per cent to €111.4 million. Highlights of the year included the success of the animated film Astérix, le domaine des dieux, which attracted three million viewers

“WE ARE STILL BOUND BY CONSTRAINTS THAT BELONG TO ANOTHER AGE”

Groupe M6

Nicolas de Tavernost, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board of Groupe M6

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into cinemas and in which we invested €36 million. That was a good investment, because the profit margin on this film, viewed over its entire life cycle, will be 20 per cent. Generally speaking, films are certainly risky ventures, but they are also profitable. This year we invested some €100 million in the film sector.”

Nicolas de Tavernost was then asked whether Paris Première would survive. He answered in the affirmative, adding: “Yes, at least for the next three years. We’ve signed agreements with all the operators, enabling us to consolidate all of our distribution resources. We will maintain our expenditure on programmes even though the channel remains affected by the drop in advertising revenue. But we can confirm our desire to see it become a free-to-air DTT channel. The Higher Audiovisual Council (CSA) has indicated that the door remains open. We have no intention of giving up on this. Paris Première is a very fine TV channel. But as a pay-DTT channel it faces difficulties in the medium term.”

Finally, when asked what he expected of the public authorities, de Tavernost answered: “We are calling for a policy that does not disadvantage French television and radio groups. In a digital era, facing international competition, we are still bound by constraints that belong to another age. One example concerns the restrictions on scheduling feature films four days a week on free-to-air television. Faced with piracy and given the advent of Netflix, this is totally absurd and would cost nothing to change. The same applies to the restrictions on production: all TV groups around the world have production companies and invest heavily in this sector. The massive wall erected by France between production and distribution makes no sense.”

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Upcoming series on M6, Peplum

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On 11 February 2015, the Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner in Luxembourg released the CD Together, we can be heroes. For the project, funded entirely by the support of the RTL Group Corporate Centre, teens with cancer wrote and recorded their own songs. Luxembourg – 16 February 2015

By providing a course of music therapy, Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner made it possible for eight young patients affected by cancer or another life-threatening illness and their families to express their personal memories and emotions in especially composed songs. The participants’ spontaneity and sincerity convinced the staff of the Foundation to release a CD.

The €6,000 donated by RTL Group (including its traditional end-of-the-year donation to the Foundation) finally made it possible to finance the CD’s production. Romain Mannelli, Executive Vice President Human Resources and Chairman Corporate Responsibility says: “The battle against cancer, and especially against leukaemia in children, is a case very close to the hearts of everyone here at

HEROIC MELODIES RTL Group

Handing over of the check (from left to right): Executive Vice President Human Resources and Chairman

Corporate Responsibility Romain Mannelli, from Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner Lucien Majerus, Director of the Foundation Anne Goeres,

Communications Manager, Caroline Chartier and Senior Vice President Corporate Communications & Marketing Oliver Fahlbusch

CD Cover

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RTL Group, as we have witnessed the actions organised by our Belgian and Luxembourgian branches in aid of Télévie for more than 25 years. We are delighted to support the Fondatioun by bearing the production costs for the CD – a project with a close link to our entertainment activities. We hope that it will contribute to raising funds for supporting the Fondatioun and will allow the young patients and their parents to escape reality for a few moments.”

With the exception of one sweet pop title, the eight titles can be classified in the jamming and R&B genres. In addition to their individual works, the three girls and five boys jointly interpreted the song Together, we can be heroes. The content confronts the patients and their families directly with the teens’ illness.

Media partner RTL Lëtzebuerg assured the promotion

of the CD

Eight titles confront directly with the teen’s illness

ABOUT FONDATIOUN KRIIBSKRANK KANNER:

For 25 years, Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner has accompanied the families of children afflicted by cancer or other rare and serious illnesses with a poor prognosis in their daily struggle. The team sees to the individual care from the diagnosis to the remission of the child. It provides psycho-social, administrative and financial support and supplies home help and schooling assistance and also entertainment for the sick child and his/her siblings.

For the tenth season of America’s Got Talent, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum will return as judges, joining previously announced judge Howard Stern. Nick Cannon will again assume hosting duties.

America’s Got Talent’s last season was the number one summer show in total audience for the ninth consecutive year on NBC.

The dream team strikes back

Did you miss the performance of last year’s winner?

Watch it here.

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New episodes, new talentsRTL 4 Starting on 14 February 2015, RTL 4 airs the fourth season of The Voice Kids. Once again Marco Borsato, Angela Groothuizen, Nick and Simon serve as coaches, doing their best to lead their charges to victory in the finale on 11 April 2015.The Netherlands – 13 February 2015

Celebrating radio RTL Radio (France) / Bel Radio / Radio Contact / RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg On Friday 13 February 2015, RTL Group celebrated World Radio Day. Established by UNESCO, it pays tribute to the public’s most popular form of media. RTL Radio, Bel RTL, Radio Contact and RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg marked the occasion with special programmes.France / Belgium / Luxembourg – 13 February 2015

A great start RTL Belgium The two radio stations run by RTL Belgium have enjoyed a strong start to the 2014-2015 season. With an audience share of 16.5 per cent, Radio Contact is the leading French-language station in terms of market share, whereas Bel RTL ranks top in terms of its daily audience, attracting an average of 608,200 listeners. (Source: CIM Radio poll for September to December 2014)Belgium – 16 February 2015

February made up of everything new RTL Television RTL Television is giving its daily series a new lick of paint: Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten (GZSZ) and Alles was zählt (AWZ) are on air from 16 February 2015 with new opening titles. Alles was zählt also has a new logo. Click here to find more information here: GZSZ and AWZGermany – 17 February 2015

SHORT NEWS 1/2

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More channel reach RTL CBS Entertainment HD RTL CBS Entertainment HD has launched a dedicated feed for the Philippines following the channel’s launch in the country one year ago.Singapore – 18 February 2015

Les Grosses Têtes coming soon to France 2 RTL Radio (France) Les Grosses Têtes, the iconic RTL Radio programme presented by Laurent Ruquier, will be broadcast periodically on France 2 in prime time. For its part, Paris Première will continue to broadcast the radio programme recording.France – 18 February 2015

Chance of International Digital Emmy UFA Fiction / UFA Lab Dina Foxx – Tödlicher Kontakt, a TV and online event produced by UFA Fiction and UFA Lab, is nominated for the Digital Emmy in the ‘Digital Program: Fiction’ category. The awards ceremony will take place in Cannes on 13 April 2015.Germany – 19 February 2015

Survey of the world’s biggest polluter RTL Radio (France) RTL Radio continues its special programming in the run-up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference: on 19 February 2015, the station devoted a full day to China’s awakening to its environmental problems.France – 19 February 2015

SHORT NEWS 2/2

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PEOPLE

NEW APPOINTMENTS AND REORGANISATION OF M6 PUBLICITÉ

Groupe M6 France – 16 February 2015

Following its acquisition of the company Oxygem and the departure of Michèle Benzeno, Director of M6 Publicité Digital, M6 Publicité is restructuring its services to tailor them more closely to its customers’ expectations and enable the company to become more responsive to advertising trends.

To this end, its special TV and digital operations are being bundled together and placed under the responsibility of the Global Strategies Department, headed by Ronan Dubois. All of M6 Publicité’s tailor-made services will be marketed under the name M6 Unlimited. In addition, M6 Publicité has announced the following personnel changes:

Following Sébastien Roumier’s departure, Cyril Zunz, currently General Manager at Oxygem Media, has been appointed as Sales Director, responsible for Special Digital Operations and will report to Ronan Dubois. He will be in charge of special digital operations and brand publishing. Hortense Thomine-Desmazures, currently Deputy Director at M6 Publicité Digital, is being promoted to Executive Director of M6 Digital. She will report to Guillaume Charles (Deputy Managing Director, responsible for Marketing, Studies and Digital). Hortense Thomine-Desmazures will take charge of conventional, video and display activities as well as of the programmatic portfolio, performance and traffic of all Groupe M6 digital media. M6 Publicité would like to thank Michèle Benzeno for her commitment and dynamism over the last two years, firstly during the development of Unlimited Content and then while in charge of digital advertising sales. M6 Publicité also wishes to thank Sébastien Roumier for the six years of service he gave Groupe M6 and for his successful development of special digital operations within the advertising sales house.

M6 Publicité wishes both Michèle and Sébastien every success in their new posts.

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PEOPLE

PAUL CORMONT

RTL Nederland The Netherlands – 18 February 2015

Paul Cormont, Channel Director at RTL 5, will be taking on new tasks within RTL Nederland with effect from 1 September 2015. His new duties comprise the development and monitoring of new prime-time programming on RTL 4.

Further to this change, Werner van Es, currently Director Broadcasting of all channels, will take over his position.

Erland Galjaard, General Director Programming at RTL Nederland, says: “Paul has turned RTL 5 into a mature channel for young people. The combination of reality, entertainment and social commitment is to his credit. Paul is a programme maker with a passion, and we do not want to lose such a dyed-in-the-wool professional. He will develop formats and then bring them to prime time with real RTL character.”

Paul Cormont: “I am pleased to transmit my knowledge and know-how to Werner and I see him as a worthy successor. RTL is giving me the chance to return to my roots as a programme developer. This is just fabulous, because I still have so much to offer.”

Paul Cormont, Channel Director at RTL 5

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‘AT RTL GROUP, WE CARE’

RTL Group is committed to effectively combine business success with socially responsible actions towards local communities and to protect the environment. Visit the Corporate Responsibility news section on Backstage (CR news) and find out how RTL Group aims to improve the societies in which we operate.

backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the editorial team:Backstage@rtlgroup.com