week 5 / 29 January 2015

MAKING A STRATEGIC DIGI-MOVE FremantleMedia has acquired a majority stake in Europe’s leading multi-channel network (MCN) Divimove

Belgium RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch participates in Let’s Go Connected forum

Luxembourg The first experimental broadcast by Télé Luxembourg 60 years ago

North America FremantleMedia North America announced the launch of Buzzr TV

week 5 / 29 January 2015

MAKING A STRATEGIC DIGI-MOVE FremantleMedia has acquired a majority stake in Europe’s leading multi-channel network (MCN) Divimove

Belgium RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch participates in Let’s Go Connected forum

Luxembourg The first experimental broadcast by Télé Luxembourg 60 years ago

North America FremantleMedia North America announced the launch of Buzzr TV

Cover Montage of a photo with Youtuber Elrubius

and the logos of FremantleMedia and Divimove

PublisherRTL Group

45, 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

Ramping up the development of online talentsFremantleMedia p.4–8

Big Picturep.17

SHORTNEWS

p.18–19

Let the games begin FremantleMedia

North America p.13

How TV began… 60 years ago!

RTL Group p.11–12

Hip-hop optimisation BroadbandTVp.14

Five years of positive action in prisons Groupe M6p.15–16

“European media companies need

global presence” RTL Group

p.9–10

PEOPLE

p.20

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RAMPING UP THE DEVELOPMENT

OF ONLINE TALENTS

United Kingdom – 29 January 2015

FremantleMedia

RTL Group’s production arm FremantleMedia

continues to expand in the online space, most

recently by boosting its stake in online

multi-channel network (MCN) Divimove.

FremantleMedia increased its shareholding in Europe’s leading MCN Divimove to take majority control of the Berlin-based company

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On 23 January 2015, FremantleMedia announced that it had increased its shareholding in Europe’s leading multi-channel network (MCN) Divimove to take majority control of the Berlin-based company. It now owns a 51 per cent stake in Divimove, and there is potential for further investments in future.

The deal follows RTL Group’s recent acquisition of the world’s number one beauty and fashion MCN StyleHaul, and a majority stake in BroadbandTV, the world’s third largest MCN. Commenting on the deal with Divimove, Keith Hindle, CEO Digital and Branded Entertainment, FremantleMedia says: “Divimove’s amazing growth is a result of an exceptional team and a great roster of content creators. Divimove works with really exciting emerging talent across multiple markets, which fits our global TV production business well, and we look forward to working with them even more.”

“For us, the development and support of talent is at the centre of our business and we’re delighted that we have found a partner who has the same values. Working with FremantleMedia has given us the opportunity to invest even more in our creators and develop new ways to grow their careers. We will continue to do so as we expand our relationship,” adds Divimove CEO Brian Ruhe.

The companies have been working together since late 2013, when FremantleMedia initially acquired a stake in the company. Over the past 18 months of their collaboration, FremantleMedia and Divimove have jointly scouted, produced and promoted new talent in the online space. During this time, Divimove has experienced major growth, becoming the leading MCN in Europe with 900 million views per month. Its 1,700 partner channels have 80 million subscribers and include the top Youtubers in Spain (Elrubius, 9.8 million subscribers), Italy (FavijTV, 1.5 million subscribers) and the Netherlands (Enzo Knol, 550,000 subscribers).

The partnership has resulted in the launch of Shootrs, a talent programme that combines the professional production expertise of FremantleMedia with Divimove’s talented content creators and online video expertise. Shootrs was launched with the FremantleMedia companies UFA in Germany and Blue Circle in the Netherlands in 2014; and will see its continued rollout across Europe in 2015.

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Keith Hindle, CEO Digital and Branded Entertainment, FremantleMedia

Brian Ruhe, CEO of Divimove

With 1.5 million subscribers, Youtuber FavijTV belongs to Divimove network

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Another key Divimove initiative was the launch of brandboost, set up in response to the huge demand for online video solutions from brands in Europe. In 2014, FremantleMedia and Divimove worked together to create successful branded entertainment campaigns across Europe for major brands including Deutsche Bahn (German Rail), WWF and Ubisoft. “Launching brandboost by Divimove is the next logical step. It’s the formalisation of our expertise in sustainable online video and how digital natives behave online. We have already delivered successful campaigns that demonstrated how much more potential there is for brands on Youtube,” explains Olaf Herzig, Chief Sales Officer at Divimove.

Moreover, in 2015, Divimove has already launched a fully-fledged talent management agency headed up by the recently appointed Michael Brycz, former Managing Director (Central Europe) for Warner Music. Brycz is tasked with exploring opportunities for the MCN’s talent in new areas such as live events and music.

The deal builds on FremantleMedia’s already substantial success in the digital space. The company is Youtube’s biggest independent TV production partner, with 216 channels, more than 20 million subscribers and nine billion annual video views. Its properties have more than 145 million fans on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube combined and its second-screen activities, such as interactive voting on talent shows, have won awards and broken new ground.

brandboost services

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Screenshot from brandboost

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GamingElrubius from Spain

1,465,085,183 views9,910,158 subscribers

Elrubius is a new phenomenon in online video. Currently the most subscribed channel in Europe, he recently joined the exclusive ranks of Youtube channels with more than 1 billion lifetime views.

How To & TechFelixba from Germany

9,654,040 views82,683 subscribers

Felix has the amazing ability to explain and review tech products such as smartphones, tablets or notebooks in a simple yet creative way.

What Youtubers say about their collaboration with Divimove:

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“This is the first network I fully trust.

If you are looking for a transparent and reliable partner go with Divimove”

“Before joining Divimove I was pretty sceptical when it came to the whole network issue. But thanks to the friendly team I quickly felt very

comfortable. After over a year with

Divimove I can only say it has definitely

paid off and I want to stay with them!”

VISIT ELRUBIUS WEBSITE TO UNDERSTAND WHY HE HAS OVER 9 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS

IF YOU ARE NOT AN EXPERT WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY, CHECK OUT THE FELIXBA CHANNEL

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BeautyDebby Arts from Italy

22,320,846 views319,978 subscribers

Debby is the Italian queen of art, creativity and makeup. Thanks to her fluent English and varied content, she is poised on the brink of a promising international career.

EntertainmentEnzoKnol from the Netherlands

199,123,005 views563,857 subscribers

Enzo Knol can safely be called the greatest vlogger from the Netherlands. He takes you on his crazy adventures and gives you a positive vibe with his ‘Knol Power!’.

About Divimove

Divimove is the leading multi-channel network (MCN) in Europe. Headquartered in Berlin, the network and its international team support more than 1,700 online video creators in Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, France and Poland. Since its launch in 2012, the Divimove network has grown to more than 900 million monthly video views and 80 million subscribers.

GET ENCHANTED BY DEBBY’S WORLD

FOLLOW ENZO’S DAILY VLOGS AND ADVENTURES

“Divimove makes me feel at home! They are always available

and very professional!”“Divimove has ‘Knol’ Power”

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On 20 January 2015, the third edition of the ‘Let’s Go Connected’ forum was held in Brussels. The 200 high-level participants, including RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch, gathered to exchange views on challenges ahead in the digital realm. Luxembourg – 28 January 2015

Let’s Go Connected is organised by Bertelsmann with NBC Universal, Grupo Planeta and Viacom. Held at the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts (Bozar) and attended by representatives from European politics, business and media, Let’s Go Connected aims to bring together European policymakers with creative industry professionals to discuss matters of mutual interest. The event’s organiser Irene Braam, Head of Bertelsmann’s Brussels Liaison Office, explains: “In the opinion-forming and decision-making process on digital issues that we are witnessing on many political levels, it is important that representatives from politics and business keep talking with each other and exchange opinions and views. This is the only way solutions can be found that will satisfy all sides and really achieve the desired goal.”

“EUROPEAN MEDIA COMPANIES NEED GLOBAL PRESENCE”

RTL Group

Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO of RTL Group

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Scan the QR code or click to watch the video

The event was divided into three panel discussions. RTL Group’s Co-CEO Guillaume de Posch participated in the second, which centred on ‘Building creative content businesses across Europe’. “One of the greatest challenges facing media companies is remaining competitive against Google and Co,” de Posch remarked. He added that one difficulty lies in the increasing fragmentation of markets, as well as the diversification of technical platforms and user habits, and highlighted that RTL Group is well positioned in this field with its business model.

Analysing the media landscape, he pointed out that linear TV, which is RTL Group’s core business, still accounts for 90 percent of all television viewing. And with reference to FremantleMedia, de Posch said that it is a powerful global production arm that enables it to produce its own high-quality content. In this connection, he stressed that top-notch content is exactly what is needed to compete with the international Internet giants, and added that the battle for digital distribution channels has already been lost. “RTL Group is willing to fight,” de Posch declared and expressed optimism that European media companies can win the battle for content – especially with European production ideas that can be adapted to local tastes. After all, he said, TV programmes from Europe such as Idols and Got Talent have gone on to conquer the world. “European media companies need global presence. US will be a key market for RTL Group in the long term,” said de Posch.

RTL Group was also represented on the first panel, ‘Digital Transformation: Where are we now and where do we go?,’ by Arno Otto, Managing Director Digital RTL Nederland. Commenting on the importance of compelling storytelling, Otto said: “As long as we command the business of storytelling, we don’t need to worry too much.” He added that RTL Nederland is investing a lot into its own, unique content, as in order to be successful, broadcasters must combine the best stories with the best business model.

Panel discussion on creative content (left to right): José Lara, Director General Grupo Planeta, Dave Lynn, President, UK, Australia & Eastern Europe and International Content Distribution Viacom International Media Networks, Per Strömbäck, Moderator, Editor Netopia – Forum for the Digital Society, Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO RTL Group and Linda Jensen, CEO HBO Europe

Source: Benet

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The first experimental broadcast by Télé Luxembourg was broadcast from the company’s brand new premises in Dudelange on 23 January 1955. This milestone event plunged both the Luxembourg broadcasting company CLT and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg headlong into the TV era. Luxembourg – 23 January 2015

The date was no arbitrary choice. After all, 23 January was Grand Duchess Charlotte’s birthday, which meant that it was also Luxembourg’s national holiday. So it had major symbolic value. In a way, by choosing this date, the management of CLT was giving the sovereign and citizens of Luxembourg their very own television channel, one of Europe’s first ever private and commercial channels, alongside Telesaar, Télé Monte Carlo and the United Kingdom’s ITV. For a long time the management of CLT’s predecessor, CLR (the R reflecting its initial involvement only in radio as opposed to TV broadcasting), had not been inclined to take such a ‘gamble’. This hesitancy was understandable, given that investing in the relatively young medium of television constituted a major risk for the company’s executives, who were convinced that whereas radio was a profitable sector, television would not make money – an assessment that turned out to be accurate for Télé Luxembourg’s first 20 years in business!

Then something happened that prompted CLR’s management to abandon its wait-and-see attitude and rediscover the pioneering spirit that had been a feature of the company right from the very beginning. Europe N°1, a rival radio station and accompanying TV project, was launched, providing broadcasts in French, no less! Faced with the construction of a TV transmitter in the immediate proximity of Luxembourg and territory which it deemed its own, CLR decided to launch a counter-attack. In the end, the French-language TV project in Saarland came to nothing, but by that time there was no stopping CLR which, now being a radio and television broadcasting company proudly changed its name on 1 July 1954 to CLT, to clearly indicate its new positioning.

Starting virtually from scratch, the company made rapid progress. Starting in August 1954, its transmitter was erected in record time on the Ginzeberg, a hill overlooking Dudelange. It took the workers on this plateau just months to lay down five kilometres of access road to the site, build two houses and construct the company’s two-storey TV broadcasting centre. The latter complex housed a number of offices,

HOW TV BEGAN…60 YEARS AGO! RTL Group

The transmitter building in Dudelange with part of the metal tower

The cable linking the transmitter to the antenna, in the streets of Dudelange

© R

TL G

roup

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a broadcasting studio, a control room, an announcer’s cabin, a film/TV viewing room and a laboratory. The metal transmission tower was 200 metres tall, topped by a 16 m antenna. Taking the height of the plateau into consideration, the tip of the CLT’s antenna was 646 m above sea level, substantially higher than any natural obstacle within a range of 100 kilometres. The range of Télé Luxembourg fluctuated around 150 km, significantly including the Lorraine region in France and part of Wallonia in Belgium. At the time, this meant that the company had more than four million potential customers within its broadcasting range.

The first programme aired by Télé Luxembourg included a report on was about the grand-ducal family. And, to the great relief of CLT’s managers, proved a great success. The broadcast images were clearly received in Nancy, Verdun, Charleville and the signal was even picked up further away than had been anticipated, in Mulhouse and Reims in France and in Mons and Namur in Belgium. This initial broadcast was followed by three months of experimental transmissions before Télé Luxembourg began its regular operations after the official opening of its Dudelange transmitting station on 14 May 1955, followed by an inaugural broadcast from the Villa Louvigny. The company then proceeded to add more and more broadcasts, and TV studios worthy of the name were finally constructed in the villa’s new tower in 1956. As Télé Luxembourg settled into its stride, presenters like Jacques Navadic, Robert Diligent, Thérèse Leduc, Zappy Max and Claude Robert became familiar faces to its audiences and its network of faithful viewers grew ever denser.

The range of Télé Luxembourg

Télé Luxembourg’s signal was clear and its viewers were captivated by its programmes

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On 20 January 2015, FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) announced the launch of Buzzr TV, a digital multicast channel devoted to vintage video games, on Fox TV stations. North America – 27 January 2015

Buzzr TV will pool classic game show titles from FremantleMedia’s library, which itself comprises more than 40,000 episodes of the greatest, best-known game shows such as Let’s Make a Deal, Match Game, To Tell the Truth, Password and others that feature many celebrities and TV regulars from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

The broadcasting company Fox has acquired rights to the digital multicast channel from FMNA and Lionsgate-owned distributor Debmar-Mercury, which brokered the deal. It will be available across stations in Fox’s 17 owned-and-operated markets, which cover more than 37 per cent of US homes.

FMNA CEO Thom Beers has made launching this channel a top priority for the business: “FremantleMedia has consistently been the leader in the game-show space, with long-running and more-popular-than-ever titles such as Family Feud and The Price is Right. When I joined the company two years ago, it became instantly clear that there was a huge opportunity for us to not only be a producer in the space, but also a programmer. We are thrilled to have Fox, one of the nation’s largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, as our launch partner on Buzzr TV.”

LET THE GAMES BEGIN Fremantle Media North America

Family Feud host Steven Harvey

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On 22 January 2015, BroadbandTV announced the launch of a new music network under the name Opposition. The network will promote up-and-coming and established talents, helping them with all aspects of their careers including marketing and creative support, branded entertainment, content strategy, content production and digital distribution. North America – 23 January 2015

Opposition, which focuses on hip-hop, launches with a diverse roster of partners, including industry heavyweights such as the rappers Crooked I – now known as KXNG Crooked - of Slaughterhouse, Twista and Yung Simmie; producers Jahlil Beats, 1500 or Nothin’ and Statik Selektah; directors Mr. Zae and Hi-Def; and brands WorldStarHipHop and All Hip Hop All The Time. The launch of Opposition is in line with BroadbandTV’s growth strategy, where recent developments include its expansion to New York City, a recent production deal with FremantleMedia, and a high-value rebrand of its major gaming network TGN. The company currently operates the third-largest multi-channel network (MCN) on Youtube, and achieves three billion monthly impressions across its network.

“We’re really focused on driving forward the whole online video ecosystem around music based content for a diverse range of talent,” comments Ali Adab, Vice President of Content & Partnerships, BroadbandTV. “With Opposition, we understand that hip hop content creators have drastically different needs than other creators, and we have worked to create a community that respects this, while providing them with the infrastructure and solutions to capitalise on the unique opportunity online video offers.”

HIP-HOP OPTIMISATION BroadbandTV

Visit the Opposition’s Youtube channel

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On 23 January 2010, Groupe M6 launched a corporate foundation devoted entirely to prison work in an attempt to make sentences served behind bars a time of reflection and reorientation that would facilitate detainees’ reintegration into society. France – 29 January 2014

The fact that television is inmates’ main window on the outside world meant that the choice to become active in this domain was a no-brainer for Groupe M6. After five years of active involvement in this domain, more than 15,000 inmates and their families have benefited from actions implemented in some 50 correctional facilities in an effort to:

Facilitate reintegration 30 people have managed to find jobs thanks to support received from the foundation350 study grants have been awarded to illiterate and indigent prisoners260 inmates have received training in audiovisual professions and restoration

FIVE YEARS OF POSITIVE ACTION IN PRISONS Groupe M6

Fondation M6

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Improve the range of cultural and sporting activities on offer More than 10,000 detainees have benefited from a wide range of cultural and sporting activities, including shows, concerts, film showings and training courses for would-be referees.

Support associations More than 2,000 children have been accompanied to prisons to visit their parents Around 40 staging posts have been financed to accommodate released detainees with nowhere to go.

Nathalie Renoux, who presents the 19.45 news on M6 and is a patron of the foundation, says: “There are men and women in this ‘parallel world’. Of course, they didn’t end up there by chance. They are paying their debt to society. But this forced imprisonment perhaps – no surely – offers us an opportunity to taken an interest in them, to offer them the chance to undergo training, to give them some future prospects and hope of some kind of life after prison.”

The foundation’s mandate has been extended for five years by its board of directors with a specific objective in mind: to facilitate prisoners’ reintegration into society by supporting inmates and helping them draw up career plans with a view to preparing better for being released back into society.

Nathalie Renoux, Presenter of the 19:45 and patron of the foundation

On 26 January 2015, RTL Television reporter Jenke von Wilmsdorff moved into the Gelsenkirchen Zoo to spend 24 hours promoting organ donation as part of his TV series Das Jenke-Experiment, which is an attempt to win 100,000 new potential organ donors in Germany within three months. Internet users had the change to watch the crazy action live on RTL.de.

Jenke makes a monkey of himself

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Premiere in Berlin UFA Fiction / RTL Television UFA Fiction and RTL Television’s co- production Deutschland 83 will celebrate its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The first two episodes will be screened at the ‘Haus der Berliner Festspiele’ on 9 and 10 February 2015. Germany – 23 January 2015

25 years full of emotionAntena 3 From 25 to 31 January 2015, Atresmedia’s flagship channel Antena 3 is celebrating its 25th birthday in style with a new logo and a special programme line-up around the anniversary. Besides various promotions and special programmes to commemorate a quarter-century of successful broadcasting, there is a special section online at Antena3.com with extensive coverage on the anniversary.Spain – 26 January 2015

The chefs return to the kitchenM6 / RTL-TVI On 26 January 2015, the French version of Top Chef returned for a new season on M6 and RTL-TVI. Four chefs, each with two Michelin stars, will be alongside the candidates in the kitchen at all times to give them more tips and advice. Broadcast in prime-time, the first episode on M6 reached an audience share of 22.5 per cent in the target group of housewives under 50 (2014 average: 15.9 per cent), and on RTL-TVI attracted 29.4 per cent among shoppers 18- to 54- year-old (25.5 per cent).France / Belgium – 26 January 2015

Women’s sport in the spotlightRTL Radio On 24 January 2015, RTL Radio (France) was once again involved in 24 heures du sport féminin, by featuring interviews with and stories of women from the female sporting world. France – 26 January 2015

SHORT NEWS 1/2

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New chaptersRTL CBS Asia Entertainment HD RTL CBS Asia Entertainment HD will air all 13 episodes of the third season of House of Cards starting with a watchathon on 28 February 2015, the same day as the release of the series in the US.Singapore – 27 January 2015

A peek behind the story UFA Fiction / UFA Lab UFA Fiction, UFA Lab and Bild are launching a joint online video project: Behind the Story revolves around Bild reporters Dora Varro (society), Kai Psotta (sports) and Paul Ronzheimer (politics), who grant the viewers a very special insight into their workaday routine.Germany – 27 January 2015

The leader in fixed and mobile Internet radio sites RTL Radio In November 2014, RTL.fr maintained its leadership with 2.9 million unique visitors (UV), and also became the site most accessed on mobile radio (1,100,000 UV) according to the latest Médiamétrie // NetRatings surveys.France – 28 January 2015

Deal inked FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment has signed a multiple programme deal for a package of over 68 hours of programming with SVOD service Amazon Prime Instant Video UK. The deal includes the rights to screen Kate & Mim Mim and Team Toon.United Kingdom – 29 January 2015

The programme makers of tomorrow RTL Radio Deutschland RTL Radio Academy, the advancement and training arm of RTL Radio Deutschland, is expanding its range of seminars with the addition of a special programme called Next Generation PD which promotes talented programme directors.Germany – 29 January 2015

SHORT NEWS 2/2

ASIA ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

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PEOPLE

FEMKE DE VEER

RTL Nederland The Netherlands – 28 January 2015

Femke de Veer has been appointed as Channel Communications Manager at RTL Nederland on 1 April 2015. In her new role, she will be responsible for overall communications at RTL 4, RTL 5, RTL 7 and RTL 8.

Femke de Veer joins RTL Nederland from Joop van den Enden Theatre, where she worked as a spokeswoman. Her responsibilities will include rolling-out a comprehensive communications strategy for the channels and merging two separate communications teams. While the two teams previously reported to the individual programming directors, Femke de Veer will report directly to Sven Sauvé, COO of RTL Nederland.

Sven Sauvé: “I have often had the pleasure to work with Femke de Veer on joint projects with Joop van den Ende Theatre. Over the years, I have come to know her as an energetic manager and an all-round communications professional. She is very experienced at giving a brand a broad market presence and communicating it across all platforms. We are convinced that she is the right person to implement a good overarching communication strategy for our channels and programmes.”

Femke de Veer

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