Spain

Atresmedia races to save lives

North America

Winner of Arab Idol visits United Nations offices

GermanyAuthor of The Physician on UFA Fiction’s film production

Germany

The most-listened to Christmas radio station is back on air

PARTNERS IN STYLEFremantleMedia North America has entered into a multi-year development deal with Style Haul

week 49 / 5 December 2013

Spain

Atresmedia races to save lifes

United Kingdom

Winner of Arab Idol visits United Nations offices

GermanyAuthor of The Physician on UFA Fiction’s film production

Germany

The most-listened to Christmas radio station is back on air

PARTNERS IN STYLEFremantleMedia North America has entered into a multi-year development deal with Style Haul

week 49 / 5 December 2013

CoverMontage with photos from Style Haul Instagram

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

The Physician: Noah Gordon talks

about UFA’s adaptation of his bestseller

UFA Fictionp. 10

Atresmedia racing to save lives for

the fi fth time Atresmedia

p. 12

Arab Idol winner performs at United Nations offi ces in

New YorkFremantleMedia

p. 9

104.6 RTL Weihnachtsradio –

Most listened-to Christmas station is back on the air

RTL Radio Deutschlandp. 9

SHORTNEWS

p. 14–15

Experts in content team up with digital nativesFremantleMedia North America / Style Haulp.4–8

Big Picturep.13

PEOPLE

p.16–17

4

The fi rst series produced under the new deal: entertainment talk show, The Crew

EXPERTS IN CONTENT TEAM UP

WITH DIGITAL NATIVES

North America – 5 December 2013

FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia continues on its path to becoming one

of the leading creators, producers and distributors

of content on emerging digital platforms.

5

FremantleMedia North America has entered into a multi-series and multi-year development deal with Style Haul, the largest online Multi-Channel Network (MCN) for fashion, beauty and lifestyle. The fi rst series to be developed under the deal is the entertainment talk show, The Crew. The US branch of RTL Group’s global production arm thereby continues to grow its digital presence while also adding to its diverse content portfolio.

In May 2013, RTL Group made a minority investment in Style Haul in a bid to further its digital strategy and become a leading player in all segments of the rapidly growing online video market – complementing the popular catch-up TV services of RTL Group’s TV channels and FremantleMedia’s portfolio of more than 100 Youtube channels. Following this, in June 2013,RTL Group made a cornerstone investment in Vancouver-based MCN, BroadbandTV, acquiring a 51 per cent stake. Other recent investments in the digital space include FremantleMedia’s 26 per cent stake in Divimove, the second largest MCN in Germany, which was announced in September. In teaming up with Style Haul, which has quickly established itself as one of the largest genre-specifi c networks on Youtube, FremantleMedia North America continues to embrace the world of MCNs.

As a content-driven MCN, Style Haul is an ideal partner for a global content powerhouse like FremantleMedia. With the goal being to develop and produce both scripted and unscripted series for Style Haul’s networks, the move continues to grow FremantleMedia’s online presence and adds to the extensive range of content that the company is known for. Style Haul, meanwhile, enriches its portfolio of online video content and benefi ts from FremantleMedia’s global reach. The development deal is the MCN’s fi rst multi-project premium content commitment with a major independent television studio.

The fi rst series of the multi-series deal, The Crew, is already in post-production. The 10 episode entertainment talk show series features Youtube sensations Marcus Butler, Alfi e Deyes,

Jim Chapman and Casper Lee. The series is taped in front of a live studio audience, with additional man-on-the-street segments. Each

episode will centre on a single topic such as relationships, social media, culture clashes and texting etiquette.“We are very excitedto kick off ourpartnership with The Crew with Jim, Caspar, Marcus and

Alfi e. The show, which will include a live studio audience, will be a totally new concept for Style Hauland bring this amazing group of talent a new formatfor their highly engaged fans,” comments Stephanie Horbaczewski, CEO, Style Haul. The Crew will premiere on Style Haul’s main network in January 2014.

Commenting on the deal, Gayle Gilman, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Digital Content at FremantleMedia North America, explains why the MCN is the ideal partner for FremantleMedia: “Almost overnight, Style Haul has become the largest online network for young women, making them an ideal partner for us as we grow our digital content business. We’re excited to be working with Stephanie Horbaczewski and her team to develop and produce original scripted and unscripted series for such a fast growing and engaged audience.”

As the leading MCN for fashion, beauty and lifestyle content, Style Haul is dedicated to its community of content creators, helping them build and adhere to their own unique visions and connect with their fans in a meaningful, impactful way. What started as a staff of fi ve in Los Angeles in 2012 has become a bi-coastal company with over 104 million network subscribers and over 2,000 infl uencer channels.

Next >

Gayle Gilman, Executive Vice President (EVP) of Digital Content at FremantleMedia North America

“THE CREW WILL BE A TOTALLY NEW CONCEPT FOR STYLE HAUL”Stephanie Horbaczewski, CEO, Style Haul

6

The development deal thus offers FremantleMedia the chance to harness Style Haul’s rapidly growing and engaged online following and promote its new digital programming with a relevant audience. CEO of Style Haul, Stephanie Horbaczewski, agrees that marrying FremantleMedia’s fl are for content with Style Haul’s online expertise is the perfect way to ensure a mutually benefi cial digital content relationship: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with FremantleMedia on this deal. We feel their expertise in producing iconic and record-breaking TV such as American Idol and America’s Got Talent, coupled with their global reach, will help take Style Haul’s content to the next level.”

The Crew is FremantleMedia North America’s fi rst new digital series since CEO Thom Beers launchedits digital production businessin September 2013with the appointment of Gayle Gilman to the roleof EVP, Digital Content. The division is also responsible for the fastest-growing pet destination on the internet, The Pet Collective.

Next >

Thom Beers, CEO FremantleMedia North America

THE WORLD OF MCNS…

What is a Multi-Channel Network?In June 2013, RTL Group acquired a 51 per cent stake in Canadian MCN, BroadbandTV.

Shahrzad Rafati, CEO and Founder of BroadbandTV, explained MCNs as follows: “A Multi-Channel Network – or in short: MCN – is similar to a TV network, where the network broadcasts a variety of shows from different producers and creates revenue through advertising. MCNs do the same in the online space where they aggregate content from different content creators, attracting engaged viewers which advertisers target.” (Backstage Weekly Newsletter, Week 26, 27 June 2013)

Are all Multi-Channel Networks the same?The online video market attracts billions of views per month with video content on platforms such as Youtube. By joining a multichannel network – not to be confused with the official “Youtube channels” – content creators can grow their audience as they profit from cross-promotion across the thousands of channels partnering with the multichannel network. At the same time, video producers usually hold onto their ownership of the content created.

There are two principle kinds of MCN: those that are content-driven and those that are technology-driven.

BroadbandTV is primarily a tech-driven MCN: it provides a broad range of services for content creators such as audience maximisation and engagement; monetisation (mainly via advertising sales, sponsorship, product placement); and tools for audience analytics and finances. In return, content creators can fully focus on the creative process.

Style Haul is a content-driven MCN: it offers genre-specific programming, brand promotion and audience development. As a video destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle content, Style Haul collects original and aggregated content from the industry’s top designers, fashion and beauty influencers and celebrities.

7

ABOUT STYLE HAUL: THE NEXT GENERATION FASHION DESTINATION

Launched in 2012, Style Haul is the largest original video destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle content, providingcurated, style-centric programming to the 18 to 34-year-old female demographic.

The content-driven MCN understands what a personal and powerful medium video is, and it’s precisely that creative freedom that lends personality and authenticity to its 2,700+ content creators.

The platform is leading the next generation of fashion forward influencers, who come to not only consume, but also to create.

Style Haul properties are currently found across the largest global distribution platforms, including Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, and Instagram.

Style Haul produces programmes that will engage its passionate online community and spark extensions of every story. The network’sflagship programming includes the popular DIY platform LEAFtv and fashion-insider-favorite Style Core. The MCN’s brand partners include Maybelline, Macy’s and Levi’s.

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE MCN: STYLE HAUL CEO, STEPHANIE HORBACZEWSKI

Stephanie started her career in retail while earning her JD/MBA.

She went on to become the director of marketing for Saks Fifth Avenue.

In 2012, she launched Style Haul in partnership with the founders of online gaming entertainment network Machinima.

Stephanie most recently closed a second round of funding for the company, and now plans to expand bothglobally and off of Youtube as well as enter Style Haul into the commerce space.

Let Stephanie tell you about Style Haul’s impressive story herself:

Next >

8

WHO’S IN THE CREW?

Marcus Butler (Marcus Butler TV)Marcus has a real passion for creating engaging and unique content, he has been making videos since a young age and since starting his channel in 2010 has reached 1.6 million subscribers. At 21 he not only runs a successful Youtube channel but also has a popular Facebook page, twitter and instagram feeds and an active website.

Jim ChapmanJim is a rare breed – he’s a 25-year-old guy who blogs about love, life and manly stuff. He is also funny, good looking and loveable, giving him appeal to both men and women. Jim runs a successful Youtube channel with over 1 million subscribers as well as a popular Facebook page and Twitter feed which are all witty, informative and highly influential.

Alfie Deyes (Pointless Blog TV)Alfie first started Youtube in 2009 after being inspired by other bloggers and content creators online. Over the past four years his style of video has evolved along with his audience; however he still likes to produce unique videos that continue to surprise and amuse his audience of nearly 1.5 million subscribers.

Caspar Lee(Dicasp)Caspar started making videos at 16 while he was growing up in South Africa. His third channel Dicasp launched a few years later and has grown significantly in a short time with over 1.5 million subscribers to date. Along with a successful Youtube channel Caspar also has nearly 1 million Twitter followers and 247,000 Facebook fans.

The deal with Style Haul adds to RTL Group’s rapidly growing online video productions (‘web originals’):

9

In November, Mohammed Assaf, the 23-year-old Arab Idol winner from Gaza, met Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations and performed a special concert at the United Nations offi ces in New York City.North America – 2 December 2013

In the space of a year, Mohammed Assaf has come a long way. Following his Arab Idol victory, he was appointed a goodwill ambassador and regional youth ambassador for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In this capacity, he visited the United Nations (UN) New York offi ces on Monday to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. He sang four songs and addressed the audience briefl y in Arabic, recounting how honoured he was to be performing at the UN.

Outgoing commissioner general of UNRWA Filippo Grandi addressed everyone from UN dignitaries to small children calling Assaf: “a very gracious, very effective, and very eloquent ambassador for this people, for young Palestinians, and for all refugees.”

Assaf has been hailed for not only bringing the people of the Arab world together but bringing the world closer to the Arab people. After this week of UN ambassador engagements, Assaf will continue with his nationwide US tour until the end of the year.

ARAB IDOL WINNER PERFORMS AT UNITED NATIONS OFFICES IN NEW YORK

FremantleMedia

Mohammed Assaf, winner of Arab Idol 2013, meets UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon (left to right)

THE UNDERDOG BECOMES A STAR

Born in Libya to Palestinian parents, Mohammed Assaf became a local hero in June 2013, being the first singer from Gaza to win Arab Idol. The underdog rallied huge support from viewers, with Palestinian public figures including President Mahmoud Abbas, calling on all Palestinians to show their support for the singer. The singer’s success has made him a powerful symbol for young Palestinians.

10

Christmas music nonstop, free and online – 104.6 RTL Weihnachtsradio returns to the airwaves just in time for the beginning of the Christmas season.Germany – 2 December 2013

Germany’s most popular Christmas station is back online and available as a free app just in time for the Advent season. 104.6 RTL Weihnachtsradio offers listeners nonstop Christmas hits, 24/7 – from classics to top Christmas songs of recent years – simply the best music for the holiday season.

The web radio service Tune In reports that 104.6 RTL Weihnachtsradio was number one among German listeners last Christmas season. As an international aggregator for radio streams, Tune In offers access to Christmas musicstations around the world. Listeners can use a free app forsmartphones and tablets to access the programmes on PCs or mobile devices. 104.6 RTL Weihnachtsradio prevailed against more than 500 international radio programmes.

104.6 RTL WEIHNACHTSRADIO – MOST LISTENED-TO CHRISTMAS STATION

IS BACK ON THE AIR RTL Radio Deutschland

SHORT NEWSGermany

105’5 Spreeradio wins ‘Journalism Award 2013’105’5 Spreeradio

105’5 Spreeradio reporter Toni Schmitt has won the Weisser Ring’s ‘Journalism Award 2013’. This year’s topic was ‘Victims of crime in society’. 5 December 2013

11

The script of UFA Fiction’s historical fi lm is based on the bestseller of the same name written by Noah Gordon. In the lead-up to the movie’s release, the author expressed his views on the production.Germany – 5 December 2013

The Physician is UFA Fiction’s biggest movie project to date,and its world premiere will be held on 16 December 2013 inBerlin, with general release following on 25 December.

In an interview, 87-year-old Noah Gordon gave his feelings towardsthe fi lm:

How does it feel to know that The Physician will be opening in theaters soon? What role has the book played in your life, and what role does it currently play? It is exciting to have a movie that springs, at least in part, from characters and situations conceived and born in my own mind. I have never had a yearning that my work would end up on the screen, nor any expectation, and certainly not 27 years after the publication of my novel. The Physician has played a major role in my career. The publication of the book in Germany and in Spain, and later in a host of other countries, brought an army of readers to my work and literally changed my life and the lives of my family. I still get emails every day from new and old readers of The Physician.

How were you approached about the idea of adapting the book for the screen? Were you involved in the making of the movie? And were there any details that you insisted should be included in the fi lm version? Several producers tried to develop the property as a fi lm, and then its ownership reverted back to my children. I was content; it would have been fi ne with me if the movie never happened. Subsequently half a dozen producers came to Boston and attempted to buy the rights. We liked Wolf Bauer and Nico Hofmann, and my children, who owned the rights, sold them to UFA. I was not able to insist on anything. But I asked that the fi lm be shot in English, and this was done. Have you already seen the movie – and if so, what did you think? The only viewing we had, in May, was from a rough cut that still lacked the fi lm’s score and the many special effects. I agreed with my family members that the fi lm is extremely interesting. The cast and acting are excellent and the movie quickly pulls the audience into the fascinating, seamy life of the Middle Ages.

THE PHYSICIAN: NOAH GORDON TALKS ABOUT UFA’S ADAPTATION OF HIS BESTSELLER

UFA Fiction

Noah Gordon

Poster of The Physician

(source: Benet)

12

At the start of December, the Spanish Media Group Atresmedia organised the fi fth edition of its major Corporate Responsibility event: Carrera Ponle Freno. It is a charity run that aims to raise awareness about road safety.Spain – 2 December 2013

17,000 people participated in Sunday’s race, organised by Atresmedia’s Corporate Responsibility (CR) campaign, Ponle Freno(“hit the brakes”). Among them were Grupo Atresmedia CEO,Silvio González; General Manager of Atresmedia Television, Javier Bardaji; Director of Fundacion Atresmedia, Carmen Bieger; Spanish long distance runner, Chema Martinez; as well as well-known presenters from the different Atresmedia TV channels.

Ponle Freno is a joint initiative with the insurance company Axa. Its aim is to undertake research on the causes of road accidents and thereby develop a relevant road safety awareness campaign. Established in 2009, its biggest fundraising event is the annual Carrera Ponle Freno charity run. This year’s funds will be donated to the Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo (Paraplegics National Hospital of Toledo). The hospital’s Vice-president, José Ignacio Echaniz, also participated in the race.

In order to maximise funds raised, Atresmedia developed a special app called “Corremos juntos”. Available on iOS and Android, this new app allowed users to participate in the race from anywhere in the world. The kilometres that each user performed whilst training or on race day have been added to the campaign’s funds: for every kilometre run, Axa will donate one euro towards the initiatives created to help the victims of road traffi c accidents.

RTL Group owns a 20.5 per cent stake in Atresmedia.

ATRESMEDIA RACING TO SAVE LIVES FOR THE FIFTH TIME

Atresmedia

The fi fth edition of charity run Carrera Ponle Freno

Patricia Pérez, Corporate General Manager Atresmedia and José Ignacio Echániz, Vice-President Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo

The UFA Fiction production Unsere Mütter, unsere Väter (Generation War) has sold to 82 countries already, making

it one of the German fi lm and TV industry’s biggest export hits of recent years. The movie opens

in American movie theatres in January.

Historical miniseries sparks great interest

14

The German TV market in November 2013 Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels together attracted 30.9 per cent of the 14- to 59-year-old viewer market in November – 4.4 percentage points ahead of the ProSiebenSat1 channels. RTL Nitro had its best monthly market shares since its launch. Germany – 3 December 2013

The Dutch TV market in November 2013 RTL Nederland

In November 2013, RTL Nederland achieved a combined audience share of 38.2 per cent in the target group of viewers aged 20 to 49 (November 2012: 33.7 per cent) and thus remained ahead of the public service broadcasters and the SBS Group. The Netherlands – 4 December 2013

RTL Radio’s Internet ratings in October 2013 RTL Radio

In October 2013, with 2.6 million Unique Visitors, RTL.fr reinforced its number one position among radio websites in France for the 11th consecutive month. France – 3 December 2013

New Sunday line-up RTL Television

On 1 December, RTL Television presented a new Sunday magazinefor the whole family: Sonntags Live, a mix of news and entertaining content, was broadcast from 12:00 to 13:40 from the Cologne broadcasting centre.Germany – 29 November 2013

SHORT NEWS 1/2

15

Operation ‘Radios’ for homeless people RTL Radio

In the run-up to the yearend festivities, Les Enfants du Canal, a French charitable association, plans to distribute 2500 radios to homeless people in France’s large cities, in order to break their cycle of isolation. RTL Radio has joined with the association on this initiative. France – 29 November 2013

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland expands its non-linear TV offering Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland

The Video-on-Demand (VoD) sites RTL Now and Vox Now have launched on Kabel Deutschland. For the fi rst time, Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland offers content via time-shifted viewing by cable operator – in high quality on a TV screen. Germany – 5 December 2013

SHORT NEWS 2/2

16

PEOPLE

ANGELANEILLIS FremantleMedia International

North America – 5 December 2013

FremantleMedia International (FMI) has announced the appointment of Angela Neillis to the role of Director of Non-scripted Content. She will work alongside Sarah Doole, Acting Director of Scripted Content at FMI.

Angela Neillis will be responsible for keeping the content pipeline for FMI charged with world-class non-scripted content, both from FremantleMedia’s production arm and also from other valued third-party producers. Sarah Doole joined the FremantleMedia Worldwide Drama team in January 2013. She was previously Director for Drama and Head of Indie Drama at BBC Worldwide, working with independent producers, investing at the development and script stage.

Commenting on Neillis’ appointment, Bob McCourt, Acting CEO FremantleMedia International adds: “At FMI we are committed to working with the most exceptional talent in every genre, so I am delighted to welcome Angela to the team, where her wealth of experience is sure to bring some well-regarded partners and exciting new content to our unscripted portfolio.”

Prior to this role, Neillis was VP of Scripted Programming and Acquisitions at Zodiak Rights. Neillis also held a number of commercial positions within BBC Worldwide from 2006 – 2012 and spent six years in non-scripted acquisitions at Granada International. Most recently Neillis was Head of Acquisitions at Sky Vision, where she kick-started the push towards third-party acquisitions such as ITN Productions’ documentary series Harrow: A Very British School and four-part competition series Motor Morphers, as well as independent production company Brook Lapping’s documentary Thatcher: A Memoir.

Angela Neillis, Director of Non-scripted Content at FremantleMedia International

17

PEOPLE

JÜRGEN OHLSTO LEAVE RTL II

RTL IIGermany – 29 November 2013

Jürgen Ohls, Chief Editor of RTL II, is leaving the channel at his own request and on the best of mutual terms to pursue new professional challenges.

Ohls, who holds a degree in Political Science, joined the RTL II News team in 1996, and has headed it since 1999, from 2006 as the channel’s Chief Editor. In 2006 and 2009, he also served as interim Programme Director.

Jochen Starke, Managing Director of RTL II, said: “Jürgen Ohls has been instrumental in shaping RTL II’s journalistic profi le. As the long-time head of our Cologne newsroom, he created a news format that continues to blaze the trail in addressing young audiences. I thank him for his outstanding commitment and wish him all the best for this new chapter in his life.”

A successor will be decided in due course.

Jürgen Ohls, Chief Editor of RTL II

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