week 3 / 15 January 2015

MEET THE NEW INFLUENCERS How RTL Group’s multi-channel networks (MCNs)

are catering to new content creators in the digital space

SPECIAL REPORTHOW RTL RADIO AND M6 COVERED

THE TERROR ATTACKS IN PARIS

week 3 / 15 January 2015

MEET THE NEW INFLUENCERS How RTL Group’s multi-channel networks (MCNs)

are catering to new content creators in the digital space

SPECIAL REPORTHOW RTL RADIO AND M6 COVERED

THE TERROR ATTACKS IN PARIS

Cover Famous StyleHaul network Youtube creator: Fleur de Force

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

“A global powerhouse in online video”BroadbandTV / StyleHaul p.4–11

Big Picturep.20

SHORTNEWS

p.21–23

Couverts acquires Dinnersite

RTL Nederland p.18

In the top five Groupe M6

p.19

An injection of ‘Oxygem’ Groupe M6

p.17

Special report: How RTL Radio and

M6 covered the terror attacks in Paris

RTL Radio, Groupe M6, Enexp.12–16

PEOPLE

p.24–25

4

“A GLOBAL POWERHOUSE IN

ONLINE VIDEO”

North America – 15 January 2015

BroadbandTV / StyleHaul

If someone introduced themselves to you as

a Youtuber, would you think this meant they

liked watching videos on Youtube? Do you

know what a vlogger is? Backstage lifts the lid on

these new talents and explains MCNs through

their eyes.

Through strategic investments in MCNs, RTL Group has accelerated its rapidly growing presence in the online video space

5

Online platforms, and Youtube in particular, have spawned a whole new generation of celebrities who produce and upload short-form content online. These so-called Youtubers and video bloggers (aka vloggers) primarily target young audiences, especially the millennials who enjoy watching videos online. Their success and reach are growing and the quality of their work is becoming more and more professional. Most startlingly of all, these emerging media stars are living the dream: monetising their passion. For some of them, it is even their main source of income, earned in many cases without even leaving their home.

Since the online space knows no borders, subscribers can reach into seven figures, and the prospect for growth is almost limitless. These celebrities care for their fan base and interact with them on a daily basis. This fosters loyalty, generates trust and lends authenticity to their interaction. Brands and advertisers have recognised the value of this new generation of influencers and try to seize opportunities for collaboration. FT.com put it like this: “Advertisers have spotted the ability of Youtube stars not only to drive audiences, but also to shift products. When Youtubers recommend something, their followers listen”.

In order to maximise their visibility and enhance their monetisation capabilities, content creators team up with specialised companies, so-called multi-channel networks (MCNs), which offer an array of services designed to drive online success and growth. RTL Group was quick to realise the potential of this business model and has heavily invested in it. Next >

BroadbandTV is a leading media-technology company that enables and inspires creators and audiences. The business launched in 2005, right at the start of the Youtube revolution. BroadbandTV is the third largest MCN globally, achieving over 3 billion monthly views across a network of over 25,000 partners. BroadbandTV deploys its services across its three areas of expertise: network, services and technology.

StyleHaul is the largest fashion and beauty MCN on Youtube and is a leading content marketing solution for marquee brands like L’Oréal and Maybelline. The company has offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Singapore and London, and is home to some of the world’s most popular and influential digital stars like, Zoella, iJustine, Dulce Candy, Pixiwoo, MyLifeAsEva and ItsMyRayeRaye. StyleHaul dominates this category, the majority of Youtube’s top style creators are part of the StyleHaul network.

Recognised by Fast Company as one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business, BroadbandTV’s Founder and CEO Shahrzad Rafati is credited with pioneering both the technology and business model that made peace between big entertainment entities like the NBA and their fans that were uploading premium content online. Shahrzad has been broadly recognised by numerous industry and community groups for her contributions to the media industry, and entrepreneurship. In 2013, Shahrzad was awarded Executive of The Year by The Digi Awards and BroadbandTV was Playback Magazine’s Digital Company of The Year.

Commenting on BroadbandTV’s future plans aiming to maximise Youtubers’ growth, Rafati says: “Our focus for the future remains steadfast on developing the most innovative

and effective technology for publishers, building strong media brands to deliver desired programming to our audience and diversify revenue streams while growing in key international markets. Technology is crucial to enabling success for content creators at scale, it also provides the evolving advertising community with rich insight to target individuals and make smarter decisions related to all aspects of their business.”

Shahrzad Rafati, CEO and Founder of BroadbandTV

Follow her on twitter: @shahrzadrafati

6

Over the past two years, through strategic acquisitions in MCNs, RTL Group has accelerated its rapidly growing presence in the online video space. In June 2013, RTL Group acquired a majority stake in the Vancouver-based MCN BroadbandTV, and a little over a year later (in November 2014) further strengthened its North American footprint by acquiring a controlling stake in the fashion and beauty MCN StyleHaul. RTL Group expects to more than double its online video views to around 40 billion for the full year 2014. Commenting on the investments, RTL Group’s Co-CEOs Anke Schäferkordt and Guillaume de Posch say: “The digital acquisitions are major strategic steps in developing RTL Group into a global powerhouse in the rapidly growing market for online video.”

For its first edition in 2015, Backstage interviews BroadbandTV and StyleHaul’s Youtubers and gets them to explain how their relationship with the MCNs brings value to their business growth.

Stephanie Horbaczewski is the co-founder and CEO of StyleHaul, which first opened its doors in 2011. Under her leadership, StyleHaul has grown to more than 70 employees, more than 5,000 content creators in 62 countries and 200 million subscribers worldwide. Shortly after starting StyleHaul, Stephanie was named to Fast Company’s Most Creative People List, since then she and StyleHaul have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, USA Today, The New York Times and more.

Commenting on its relationship with StyleHaul network Youtube creators, Horbaczewski says: “This robust network of primarily female creators and entrepreneurs represents the new and most influential celebrity. They are creating and distributing the most engaged fashion, beauty and lifestyle content in the world. StyleHaul’s multi-platform marketing campaigns are changing how brands approach content, communication and

advertising. It is truly a privilege to be working in a space that is inspiring innovation daily.” You can find Stephanie spending time with StyleHaul Youtube stars at events like the Elton John Academy Awards Viewing Party, BeautyCon, VidCon and of course conversing with everyone via her Twitter account.

Glossary to your rescue

Youtuber: A creator who makes content for the Youtube platform Vlogger: A creator who makes video content for the Internet and uploads its content on a variety of different video platforms

Over to the new talents…

Stephanie Horbaczewski, CEO and Co-Founder of StyleHaul

Follow her on twitter: @StyleHaulSteph

Name: Fleur Channel name: Fleur De ForceChannel focus: Beauty & FashionNumber of subscribers: 1,215,600+

When did you start your collaboration with StyleHaul?I’ve been in contact with StyleHaul since before it launched, but officially started working with

them in February 2013. Why did you choose StyleHaul? Did somebody recommend it to you or did you find it

through online research?Because they are the largest and most specialised fashion and beauty network. After previously

working with an unspecialised network, I wanted to maximise potential brand partnerships with

premium brands that were relevant to my content.Please describe what objectives were achieved through your collaboration with StyleHaul.

How has StyleHaul helped you become more successful? I’ve worked on some great projects with StyleHaul. My personal favourite being an appearance

on Project Runway All Stars. I’ve also had the opportunity to work in creative projects with Marks

& Spencer, L’Oréal and Very.co.uk.Was creating a Youtube channel your profession/main activity at that time? Is it your main

source of income now?Absolutely not. When I started making videos on Youtube five years ago, it was purely for fun.

After a year it became my full time job and I’ve been working on it full time for over four years

now.

What is the profile of your subscribers? Do your plans include broadening your target

group?My average viewer is someone like me! I like to think of my viewers as girls I would be friends

with on real life. They watch my videos for tips and recommendations, but also to connect on a

more personal level too! Please describe your channel, how it has developed and your plans for the year ahead.

The basic content on my channel has remained the same since the beginning; offering honest

advice, product recommendations, style tips and my personal experiences and thoughts. Over

time the production quality has improved, and I am now a lot more responsive to what the

audience want to see, but the basis of the content, and my outlook, have remained the same.

Please describe your collaboration with StyleHaul. It feels like a professional family. They are efficient and a pleasure to work with on a professional

level, but also really friendly and welcoming, it never feels like you’re working when you’re

dealing with them.

7

Watch Fleur’s most viewed video

“I WANTED TO MAXIMISE POTENTIAL BRAND PARTNERSHIPS”

8

Name of partner: Tom MabeName of channel: MabeinAmericaChannel focus: Clean Comedy & Pranks Number of subscribers: 608,410+

When did you start working with BroadbandTV (BBTV)?I started working with BBTV in the summer of 2013.

Why did you choose BBTV?I met with just about every other company out there and BBTV outsold everyone and they just had a better deal for me. I had all but given up until I met with them and knew this was the place for me and my channel.

What goals did you want to achieve when you started working with BBTV, have you achieved them, and how long did it take to do so?My goal was not to feel valued and get a higher [cost per thousand impressions] CPM, and so far so good! No horror stories that I’m hearing from other Youtubers who are with other companies. We are moving forward with a lot of exciting opportunities, it’s going to be a great end of the year!

How has BBTV helped you to become more successful? They pushed me to ramp up the quality of content, to separate myself from all the other pranksters who do ‘pull my finger’ type pranks. My Epic DUI prank has already gotten more than 20 million views!

When you started working with BBTV was your channel your main profession/source of income?No, I had to tour a whole lot to keep my kids in private school!

Is the channel your profession/main source of income today?It’s a lot of it!

Who do you see as your competitors and how do you differentiate?Roman Atwood, Jack Vale, Vitaly...all of my buddies, but they’re currently a bit bigger than me. I think there fanbase skews younger than mine and their content tends to target the 12- to 16-year old demographic. My fan base appears to be more in the 17- to 40- age range. I think the difference is that I really try to create content that families can watch and enjoy together.

How many video views did you achieve per month before BBTV? How many video views do you achieve today? Prior to partnering with BBTV I would make about two videos a month on average. Since we started our partnership I’ve tried to create a video once a week. The views I’m getting on my content have doubled and in some cases even tripled since we started working together!

What is the profile of your subscribers/viewers? Are you looking to broaden your audience group?Audience is about 70 per cent male, and I’m currently happy with the audience group I’ve got tuning in. When I try to do a simple prank for shock value, they call me out on it.

What developments are you currently experiencing in the market? Everybody has a prank channel! They’re not all good, but they’re really popping up everywhere!

Please describe your channel, how it has developed and your plans for the year ahead.My channel is a family-friendly prank and comedy channel, and my goal is to make it my full-time job soon.

Visit Tom Mabe’s Youtube channel

“The views I’m getting on my content have doubled”

Visit Tom Mabe’s Youtube channel

Name: Kayley Channel name: Kayley Melissa

Channel focus: Hair and Beauty

Number of subscribers: 580,000+

When did you start your collaboration

with StyleHaul?I began working with StyleHaul in December

of 2012. Why did you choose StyleHaul? Did somebody recommend it

to you or did you find it through online research?

There were a few reasons that StyleHaul was the best choice for my channel. First of all, they

are the largest fashion and beauty network on Youtube. For me as a creator that means that my

network understands the ins and outs of my specific genre in a meaningful way and can help

me achieve my goals. Second, StyleHaul is valuable for fashion and beauty brands seeking to

advertise on Youtube. As a creator, I enjoy working with brands to advertise on my channel, and I

appreciate that StyleHaul consistently pulls contracts with key brands in the fashion, beauty, and

social media space. Finally, they care about their creators. Even from my first talks with StyleHaul,

I knew they were different. I was treated with a great deal of respect and care, which was pivotal

and gave me the peace of mind I needed to sign with them.

What goals did you want to achieve by contacting StyleHaul? After how many months were

they achieved? How has StyleHaul helped you become more successful?

Primarily, my goal was enhanced brand integration. On your own as a creator, it is hard to land

deals with great brands, much less handle the negotiations and contracts involved. StyleHaul does

a wonderful job of pulling in brands via their sales team and then working with the creators via

talent development to ensure a smooth and mutually beneficial process for creators and brands

alike.

StyleHaul has helped me in a number of ways. Practically, they’ve helped provide more in-depth

analytics information that has helped to grow and fine tune my channel. As well as giving me

advice and direction that has helped to enhance my efforts.

When it comes to branded work, I owe all of my experience and knowledge to StyleHaul. They’ve

helped to facilitate collaborations with brands like Tresseme and Dove haircare, which I never

would have had otherwise. In those collaborations I learned exactly what it takes from both brands

and creators to create successful collaborations. That knowledge is invaluable.

Was creating a Youtube channel your profession/ main activity at that time? Is it your main

source of income now?

I didn’t start my Youtube channel planning to make it full time. When I started making videos in

2010 there were comparatively very few people doing Youtube full time, and I honestly never

imagined having more than 5,000 subscribers. Even though it was not my original goal, when I

realised being on Youtube full time was possible I pursued it full force. I was very fortunate to see

my videos and my channel do well and by the beginning of 2011 I moved to part time on Youtube,

part time “real job”. By the end of 2011 I was working on Youtube full-time and I still am today.

9

“They care about their c

reators”

What is the profile of your subscribers? Do your plans include broadening your target

group?Anyone struggling with their hair! Honestly, I think my content can be useful for any age group or

talent level. I tend to have the most influence with 18-24 year olds, though specific video topics such

as back to school hairstyles or prom hairstyles do well among the 12-17 demo. I find the majority of

commenters describe themselves as emerging into college and the workplace and have little to no

prior knowledge of hairstyling. I’ve used that information to position myself toward the 18-24 crowd,

while keeping my content choices and editing styles open enough to attract other demographics

as well. Please describe your channel, how it has developed and your plans for the year ahead.

My channel exists to help women learn to enjoy their hair. Let’s be honest, many women don’t

actually enjoy their hair, and I think it’s because they have no idea what to do with it! That’s where

I come in; I’ve been there! I know it’s frustrating, so I put together hair tutorials for every occasion

and skill level that break down difficult looking hairstyles into easy to follow steps.

My channel developed through my own discovery of hair and makeup techniques. I grew up

enamored with hair and makeup, but I never knew how to do it. That is, until the beauty community

began to grow on Youtube. I found beauty videos almost immediately after people began making

them and finally I was able to participate in something that had always eluded me. The more I

learned the more I began to experiment on my own and learn my own techniques. It wasn’t long

before I started thinking about making my own beauty channel.

My channel started focused on makeup. After uploading my first video, I was hooked and began

making more. The more videos I made the more views and interaction I received. I immediately

loved the community aspect of Youtube. There were people around the world using my tutorials

for special events, and that blew my mind! My channel shifted to hair tutorials when I uploaded a

couple of them and found that they received more views and attention than all my other videos

combined! I realised that where there was a surplus of makeup channels, there were very few hair

channels. And my channel as it is today was born.

Since then, I’ve gone on to start and complete beauty school and receive my cosmetologist license.

I work in the salon a couple days a week in order to grow my skills and knowledge. I think it’s only

fair to my viewers that I do as much as I can to be sure that I’m qualified to teach and give advice.

Over the next year I’m planning to widen my channel’s educational base by introducing a series

focused on the very basics. It may sound simple, but is an untouched part of the market right

now, and taking advantage of that should be pivotal for this year. I additionally have some exciting

branded opportunities through StyleHaul that I have to keep secret for now, but they will be also

pivotal for my channel.

StyleHaul has been a helpful guiding force in my Youtube career. They’ve helped me to develop my

channel and bring in opportunities I never would have had otherwise.

10

Watch Kayley’s most viewed video

Name of partner: Jake McCormickName of channel: Team0EpiphanyChannel focus: GamingNumber of subscribers: 423,940+ When did you start working with BBTV?We began working with BBTV in May, of 2012.

What goals did you want to achieve when you started working with BBTV, have you achieved them, and how long did it take to do so?When we first signed on with BBTV we were looking to expand our subscriber base and diversify our content. We had a goal of reaching 100,000 subscribers in mind when we started and were also looking to improve our marketing skills.

How has BBTV helped you to become more successful? Please include examples.BBTV has helped us become more successful through the services they have offered us during our partnership. These have included graphic design services to help brand and maintain a high quality image for our channel. We have also received help in channel promotion and marketing through conversations with partner support and VIP partner services. This has helped us greatly improve how we run our channel from the way viewers see us to the way we produce content to maximise our potential viewership and reach of our content. We have also received help to improve the management of our social media platforms.

When you started working with BBTV was your channel your main profession/source of income?The channel was not any member of our team’s main sources of income.

Is the channel your profession/main source of income today?Today the channel makes up all of our main sources of income.

Who do you see as your competitors and how do you differentiate?We like to look at all other channels in our category as our competitors, even channels that we look up to we hope to one day be able to compete with and always strive to do so in everything from video production to the way we go about running our channel. We try to differentiate ourselves from other competitors by adding our unique personalities to the videos we create. Our commentaries include a mix of all our cast members and we try to implement funny and creative ways to keep our viewers interested.

How many video views did you achieve per month before BBTV? How many video views do you achieve today?Before we signed on with BBTV we achieved 500,000 – 1,000,000 video views. We now average anywhere from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000.

What developments are you currently experiencing in the market?Currently we are seeing a shift in the gaming video market from single game channels to multiple game channels. This diversification in content seems to be the key to success along with compelling commentaries. It would appear as though the days of story-telling and discussions during gameplay are over. Viewers look for high action packed and entertaining experiences that call on the commentators to become more actors than simply commentators. By doing so this creates a unique and memorable personality that can’t be replicated simply by someone with a capture card and mic.

Please describe your channel, how it has developed and your plans for the year ahead.I like to describe our channel as a group of guys recording themselves playing video games with all the fun antics that come with it! As we’ve developed over the years the ways we’ve approached video production and the methods we’ve used to do it have changed but we’ve never changed the core elements that make us who we are. Looking forward we aim to keep producing content that both we and our subscribers love while focusing on diversifying our channel to reach even more viewers. From a business standpoint we are looking to work closely with both our network and other agencies to incorporate more brand integration deals into our videos.

Any additional statement/comment you would like to make regarding your collaboration with BBTV?BBTV has played a crucial part in our success. Offering expertise and services when needed and they are always a pleasure to work with.

Visit Team0Epiphany’s Youtube channel

11

“BBTV has played a crucial part in our success”

12

On 7 January 2015, many media around the world rushed to cover the dramatic attack on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo in Paris and the incidents occurring in its wake. Among them were RTL Radio and Groupe M6, both subsidiaries of RTL Group in France. France – 15 January 2015

50 hours of live coverage and exclusive news (RTL Radio)

RTL Radio made a huge effort to inform its listeners, being among the first French radio stations to announce the dramatic shootings at the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo at around noon on 7 January 2015.

“AFP [the French Press Agency – editor’s note] raised the alarm about gunfire at the offices of Charlie Hebdo at around 11:30,” explains RTL Radio’s News Director, Jacques Esnous. “As is standard practice in this type of situation, a journalist was immediately dispatched to the scene, while others started telephoning around to gather more information. Very soon the scale of the drama was confirmed to us and we were quick to understand its significance.”

Accordingly, at 12:30, RTL Radio devoted its entire midday news bulletin to the tragedy. Next, there no longer being any doubt about the terrorist nature of the attack, a special news programme presented by Marc-Oliver Fogiel (RTL Soir) was broadcast, which ran until 23:00 and included, among other things, the statement made by French President François Hollande from the Elysée Palace. On RTL.fr, a special section updated by the minute was devoted to what had happened, and any news was instantly disseminated on social media.

AT THE FOREFRONT OF INFORMATION RTL Radio / Groupe M6 / Enex

“IT WAS RTL THAT EXCLUSIVELY BROKE THE NEWS ON THE MANHUNT

AND TAKING OF HOSTAGES BY THE KOUACHI BROTHERS.

THIS ENABLED RTL RADIO TO AIR A NEW, CONTINUOUSLY UPDATED

SPECIAL NEWS PROGRAMME WELL BEFORE ITS TV AND

RADIO COMPETITORS.”Jacques Esnous

Jacques Esnous, News Director at RTL Radio

Next >

13

On 9 January, “whereas the attack on Charlie Hebdo and the shooting of a policewoman in Montrouge the day before had first been announced by AFP, it was RTL that exclusively broke the news on the manhunt and taking of hostages by the Kouachi brothers”, Jacques Esnous points out. This enabled RTL Radio to air a new, continuously updated special news programme well before its TV and radio competitors. That same day, in the hope of obtaining information, RTL Radio’s editorial team gained exclusive telephone access1 to the Kosher supermarket in the avenue de la Porte de Vincennes in Paris, where hostages had been taken and five people lost their lives.

“Someone picked up the receiver and did not put it down again, so we managed to record a conversation between the terrorist and his hostages,” Jacques Esnous says. “Having checked with the forces of law and order that this would not clash with their operations, we listened to that recording. In it, Amedy Coulibaly sounded cold, indoctrinated, determined and totally closed to any negotiation. His steady stream of rhetoric claimed that all French people were jointly responsible for the actions taken by Western governments against Daesh [i.e. the so-called Islamic State – translator’s note]. What he said enabled us to figure out one of the key questions that Western society is asking about such terrorism: what could prompt a young French delinquent to turn to the most extreme form of jihadism, and why? It was for this reason that, after giving the matter careful consideration, taking suitable precautions and airing a commentary by a journalist along with explanations by an expert on radical Islamism, we decided to broadcast the recording the following day.”

“AFTER GIVING THE MATTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, TAKING SUITABLE

PRECAUTIONS AND AIRING A

COMMENTARY BY A JOURNALIST ALONG WITH EXPLANATIONS

BY AN EXPERT ON RADICAL ISLAMISM,

WE DECIDED TO BROADCAST THE RECORDING THE

FOLLOWING DAYS.”Jacques Esnous

RTL Radio observes a one minute silence for the victims of Charlie Hebdo RTL Radio’s Presenter Flavie Flament expresses her solidarity with the victims of the attacks

1 together with the 24-hour news channel BFMTV

Next >

14

Besides RTL Radio’s special news broadcasts, a long list of politicians spoke to RTL Radio at key junctures as the events unfolded, including Prime Minister Manuel Valls the day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo and Nicolas Sarkozy, who chose to make his media comeback on RTL Radio to comment the day after the unity rally for Paris shootings (Marche républicaine).

In charge of operations alongside CEO Christopher Baldelli were Jacques Esnous, who was responsible for listening to what had happened and issuing instructions on how to cover the events; Editor-in-Chief Jean-Philippe Baille, who took charge of the special broadcasts and was responsible for coordinating reporters on the ground with presenters and specialists back in the studio; and Deputy News Director Catherine Mangin-Dessarts, who was responsible for coordinating and finding any eyewitnesses.

All in all, RTL Radio’s teams provided no less than 50 hours of live coverage on the attack on Charlie Hebdo and the Paris rally. The entire editorial team of nearly 100 journalists and assistants was involved. “Indeed, everyone at RTL did what they could to serve the radio station,” Jacques Esnous concludes: “technicians, presenters, the members of our press and communications departments, security staff and of course our advertising team, in conjunction with whom we decided not to broadcast any ads on Wednesday, to concentrate them on Thursday and reorganise our advertising on Friday by shortening it in line with how events unfolded”.

A special day to pay extensive tribute to the victims (M6)

M6, RTL Group’s flagship TV channel in France, devoted a special, extended version of its Le 19.45 TV news bulletin, aired on the evening after the murderous attack on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, to the shootings and also broadcast François Hollande’s statement live.

Over the next few days, M6 set up an event-driven information service comprising special editions of its TV news broadcasts (12.45 and 19.45) and in-depth coverage of the hostage dramas unfurling in Dammartin-en-Goële and the avenue de la Porte de Vincennes, as well as the unity rally in Paris.

What they said on RTL Radio…

Alain Duhammel, Political Journalist at RTL Radio: “The fact that a newspaper like Charlie Hebdo has been targeted is in any case proof or at least a clue, and the fact that it is the press itself was attacked, makes it very clear that the very principle of freedom, of the Republic, is at stake (...).”

Laurent Ruquier, Presenter of Les Grosses Têtes: “The cartoonists in question who, sadly, were the victims of today’s events refused to back down despite facing months of threat. They continued to express themselves through their weekly magazine and we will, of course, continue to express ourselves tomorrow, in our way (…), making people laugh about uses and abuses of our freedom of expression. Les Grosses Têtes serves as a platform (…) to show that we can live together. Whether we stand right of left, whether we are Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, atheist or agnostic – we need to show that we can all live together in this country (…).”

M6’s Anchorman Xavier de Moulin in a special news edition

In the wake of the unity rally in Paris, former President Nicolas Sarkozy is a guest at RTL Radio’s morning show

Next >

“50 HOURS OF LIVE COVERAGE ON THE ATTACK

ON CHARLIE HEBDO AND THE PARIS RALLY. THE ENTIRE

EDITORIAL TEAM OF NEARLY 100 JOURNALISTS AND

ASSISTANTS WAS INVOLVED.”Jacques Esnous

15

On 11 January the channel reorganised its programme schedule between 12.45 and midnight.

After an extended edition of its 12.45 news, in its Docs de l’info slot the channel aired a documentary about the series of terrorist acts entitled Le film des 5 jours qui ont bouleversé la France (A film about 5 days that shook France to its core).

Between 14:45 and 17:30, M6 broadcast a special live programme on the Paris rally, presented by Nathalie Renoux (in the studio) and François-Xavier Ménage (on the scene) with various guests.

Two more reports on the attacks were subsequently broadcast on the magazine 66 Minutes, respectively entitled La traque et le portrait des frères Kouachi et d’Amedy Coulibaly (The manhunt and portraits of the Kouachi brothers and Amedy Coulibaly) and On a tué Charlie Hebdo (The killing of Charlie Hebdo).

A special evening on the subject of the attacks began at 20:55, presented live by Wendy Bouchard and Bernard de la Villardière and featuring a number of guests. Zone Interdite focussed on French jihadists and Muslims in France, and Enquête exclusive comprised a report on French citizens involved in terrorism.

On 11 January 2015, M6 modified its programme to cover exclusively the unity rally in Paris

Next >

16

RTL Radio and M6 join the “Je suis Charlie” campaign

After expressing its profound emotion just hours after the shootings by issuing press releases on behalf of RTL Radio and Groupe M6 respectively, Christopher Baldelli and Nicolas de Tavernost, Chairman of the Board of Groupe M6, joined around ten other French media bosses and figures in signing a manifesto that was published in the French press proclaiming support for their colleagues at Charlie Hebdo and their families and underlining their intention of “continuing to defend the free press in their name”.

On 8 January 2015, all the members of the RTL Radio and Groupe M6 teams took part in the minute of silence observed throughout France to pay homage to the victims of the attack.

Groupe M6’s employees express their solidarity with the victims of the attacks in Paris

Enex quick to cover the attacks

Enex, RTL Group’s global news provider, deployed all its staff to cover the multiple terrorist attacks and hostage takings in France over the last week in which 17 French nationals were killed. To enable its French news partners (M6 and BFMTV) to provide non-stop coverage of the events, Enex sent a mobile satellite transmitter to the offices of Charlie Hebdo immediately after the first shootings on 7 January, putting a technical team on the scene within two hours of the incident. Reporters from Enex’s 49 partner channels quickly arrived in Paris to provide live coverage. A second satellite truck was deployed in Reims as the manhunt for the Kouachi brothers gathered pace. On 9 January 2015, a number of live reports were relayed from Dammartin-en-Goele as police special forces encircled the gunmen. A further roaming mobile station provided live broadcasts on the rapid succession of events, including the hostage-taking and police operation at a supermarket in the east of Paris. The newsroom of Enex

Read more here

17

Groupe M6 is strengthening its presence in the digital space. On 12 January 2015, through its subsidiary M6 Web, Groupe M6 acquired 100 per cent of the capital of French media group Oxygem, a company which operates various websites. France – 13 January 2015

Oxygem provides website editing and e-marketing services. Every month, 7.3 million unique visitors visit Oxygem’s various websites: Cuisineaz.com, Passeportsante.net, Radins.com, Meteocity.com, Fourchette-et-bikini.fr. Every day, their editorial lines address themes such as cooking, health, consumer goods and shopping tips, weather, beauty and slimming, and are primarily aimed at women under 50.

This acquisition will allow Groupe M6 to confirm its position as a major internet player in France, achieving henceforth 15 million unique visitors per month, which puts it in eighth place amongst online media groups in France.

Furthermore, the acquisition of Oxygem will allow Groupe M6 to supplement its editorial offering and to turn a significant corner in its digital development, while strengthening its technological expertise in performance marketing and data exploitation. Finally, M6 Publicité Digital will consolidate its position as a major player in the online advertising market while increasing its power and the diversity of its digital channels.

AN INJECTION OF ‘OXYGEM’ Groupe M6

ABOUT OXYGEM

Created in 1998 and based in Roubaix (France), Oxygem provides website editing and e-marketing services. Oxygem is known for its skills and confirmed technological expertise in performance marketing and data exploitation. In 2013, Oxygem achieved turnover of €11 million in addition to a positive operating income.

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The online table reservation portal owned by RTL Ventures strengthens its position as market leader with the takeover of the online restaurant guide Dinnersite. The Netherlands – 7 January 2015

Dinnersite was launched as the first online restaurant guide in the Netherlands in 1996 and operates across a range of platforms, including a popular website, a restaurant guide app and menu card mailings. Its significant market share and valuable consumer brand will solidify Couverts’ market leading position and accelerate future growth. The combination of the two companies creates an unrivaled position in the Dutch online restaurant booking market, with more than 3,000 restaurants available for reservations.

Nicolas Eglau, Managing Director Ventures at RTL Nederland, commented: “Since our acquisition of RTL Couverts in 2010, it has become the leading booking site in the Netherlands. In December alone, we saw a fivefold increase in the number of bookings compared to December 2013, and the number of restaurant reviews increased by 252 per cent in 2014. The acquisition of Dinnersite will further strengthen Couverts’ market leading position and the complementary nature of the two brands will benefit both consumers and restaurant operators.”

Did you know?

Couverts currently has 2,024 bookable restaurants compared with 1,100 in 2013 (increase of 84 per cent)With the takeover of Dinnersite, up to 988 unique bookable restaurants will be added to Couverts’ offerDinnersite will retain the use of its current brand and platformCouverts was founded by entrepreneurs Paul Wiertz and Michiel Huisman

COUVERTS ACQUIRES DINNERSITE RTL Nederland

Nicolas Eglau, Managing Director RTL Ventures at RTL Nederland

Screenshot from Dinnersite.nl

19

According to the 2014 distributor rankings, SND, Groupe M6’s distribution company, has moved up two places and is now in fourth position. France – 6 January 2015

For 2014 as a whole, SND recorded a market share of 6.02 per cent, releasing 14 films in French cinemas. Its distributions generated more than 11.8 million admissions, placing the company fourth, behind 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. and UGC Distribution, but ahead of Metropolitan Filmexport, The Walt Disney Co. France and Pathé Distribution. SND notably owes its success to the Asterix film’s good run in French cinemas.

IN THE TOP FIVE Groupe M6

Released on 26 November 2014 to movie theatres across France, Asterix – The Mansions Of The Gods is a feature-length, 3D animated film, wholly produced and distributed by Groupe M6

Read the related Backstage Weekly

newsletter

Watch Astérix trailer here

Deeply committed to freedom of expression and freedom of the press, RTL Group reiterates its support for

and solidarity with Charlie Hebdo and the families and friends of the victims.

21

Top Five RTL Group The RTL Group Annual Report 2013 ranks number five in the exclusive ‘ARC Awards 100’ – a ranking for the world’s best annual reports for 2014. Luxembourg – 9 January 2015

Antena 3 celebrates a quarter of a centuryAtresmedia From 25 to 31 January 2015, Atresmedia’s flagship channel Antena 3 will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a multitude of commemorative activities, as well as redesign of its logo launched on 7 January 2015.Spain – 5 January 2015

The German TV market in 2014Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland In 2014, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels were once again the number one choice among 14- to 59-year-olds in Germany, attracting 29.0 per cent of the market. This put the company 3.1 percentage points ahead of ProSiebenSat.1 (25.9 per cent) in this target group.Germany – 5 January 2015

Closure of M6 Music Black and M6 Music ClubGroupe M6 Groupe M6 has decided to cease operating and broadcasting the channels M6 Music Black and M6 Music Club as from midnight on 4 January 2015. From this point onwards, Groupe M6 will focus its efforts on its M6 Music channel and M6 Music Player service.France – 6 January 2015

Get ready for the new IdolsFremantleMedia North America On Wednesday 7 January 2015, American Idol returned on Fox for its 14th season, with changes in the audition process, the return of last season’s judging panel and Music Executive Scott Borchetta as a new Idol mentor.North America – 7 January 2015

SHORT NEWS 1/3

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The French TV market in 2014Groupe M6 In 2014, M6 attracted 10.1 per cent of the total audience and 15.9 per cent of housewives under 50 (2013: 16.2 per cent). W9 scored a 3.6 per cent share of the same group (2013: 4 per cent). 6ter is ranked number one DTT HD channel in this target group.France – 7 January 2015

Great start for German talents RTL Television With an audience share of 22.6 per cent in the key target group of viewers aged 14- to 59- year-old (2014 average: 12.7 per cent), the RTL Television premiere of the 12th season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar was the most successful programme on 7 January 2015 in prime time slot. Germany – 8 January 2015

“It’s All Going Swimmingly” for Télévie 2015 RTL Belgium As part of Télévie 2015, RTL Belgium’s presenters and journalists are again taking the stage for the comical, zany, high-quality production Tout Baigne (It’s All Going Swimmingly), the proceeds from which will be donated to the National Fund for Scientific Research.Belgium – 9 January 2015

Eye Candy takes over internationally FremantleMedia International On 9 January 2015, FremantleMedia’s global distribution arm FremantleMedia International announced its acquisition of the international distribution rights (excluding North America) to MTV’s new scripted thriller Eye Candy. United Kingdom – 12 January 2015

Every piece counts RTL Radio From 7 January to 14 February 2015, RTL Radio (France) is once again partnering with the Pièces Jaunes campaign, which raises funds in French cities to finance projects aiming at improving the lives of hospitalised children and teenagers. France – 12 January 2015

SHORT NEWS 2/3

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RTL Nederland to receive Machiavelli Award RTL Nederland On 11 February 2015, The Machiavelli Foundation in the Netherlands will award the Machiavelli Award for the 26th year. This year’s winner: RTL Nederland, for being “in many respects innovative, bold and above all essential.” The price is granted to a person or organisation who has excelled in public communication. The Netherlands – 14 January 2015

Cooperation continues Groupe M6 Groupe M6 and Canal+ have renewed their multi-annual agreement for the distribution of all channels and services of Groupe M6 via Canalsat, namely M6, W9, Téva, Paris Première, M6 Music, Girondins TV, and their catch-up TV service, M6 Boutique & Co and 6ter. France – 15 January 2015

France’s first general-interest radio station RTL Radio According to the latest poll by Médiamétrie for the period November – December 2014, RTL Radio has confirmed its position as market leader with 11.7 per cent of audience share, and has recorded its strongest annual growth in seven years (+10 per cent) in cumulated audience. France – 15 January 2015

SHORT NEWS 3/3

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PEOPLE

JENS RICHTER

FremantleMedia International United Kingdom – 13 January 2015

Following the announcement in December 2013, Jens Richter has officially assumed his role as CEO of FremantleMedia International (FMI). As CEO of FMI, Jens Richter will oversee the global distribution of FremantleMedia’s finished programming and home entertainment catalogue, comprising more than 20,000 hours of content; manage the sales and acquisitions teams across the USA, UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Asia and Australia; and drive FMI’s content acquisition strategy. He will report directly to FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz and sit on the FremantleMedia Operating Board.

Cécile Frot-Coutaz says: “Jens’ arrival has been one of the most hotly-anticipated of the last year and I’m thrilled that he is now with us. He brings with him a profound knowledge of the international distribution market and a unique understanding and appreciation of both unscripted and scripted content. He has a truly global perspective having worked across both English language and local programming, and a proven track record in building strong distribution businesses.”

Prior to launching Red Arrow International in 2004, Richter served for four years as Managing Director for Beta Film, Munich, and was responsible for the worldwide distribution of free/pay TV, home video and theatrical rights. Before this, Richter was Senior Vice President at Prisma Sports & Media, London, which handles high-profile sports events including the Football World Cup and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Jens Richter, CEO of FremantleMedia International

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PEOPLE

BENJAMIN BENEDICT

UFA Fiction Germany – 15 January 2015

UFA Fiction appoints Benjamin Benedict as Head of High End Drama. The producer will coordinate the strategic development of international production, as well as high-end series and serials.

Nico Hofmann, Chairman of the Board of UFA Fiction: “Over the past ten years, Benjamin Benedict has become an outstanding German producer within the UFA group. The internationality and high sense of quality which Benedict has consistently accomplished in his produced visions predestines him for his new role in high-end event production – even just with regard to our new international focus within the UFA FremantleMedia Group.”

Benjamin Benedict’s area of competence is to be expanded with the newly created Head of High End Drama position. This means that he will be taking over responsibility for strategic development and content-related orientation as well as the product management of high-end productions and international co-productions.

After studying literature and theatre, Benjamin Benedict initially worked as an Editor, Author and Director at various theatres. In July 2000, he became a Producer and Manager at Objectiv Film. From August 2004, he initially worked as a freelance producer for Teamworx before finally becaming a permanent producer at Teamworx, later UFA Fiction, in September 2010. Since then, Benjamin Benedict has produced the International Emmy Award-winning film Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter (Generation War), among others.

Benjamin Benedict, Head of High End Drama at UFA Fiction

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