interim results 2010 - rtl group · revenues from the digital channels (advertising and...

26 August 2009

Germany

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland plans central platform for TV content

North America

A young girl enchants America’s Got Talent

The Netherlands

RTL Nederland presentsnew season programming

Spain

Grupo Antena 3 launches third digital channel

25 August 2010

week 34

Interim results 2010With EUR 537 million, RTL Group delivers best half-year result evermillih

plus all the

major news

from the last

four weeks

the RTL Group intranetweek 34

26 August 2009

Germany

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland plans central platform for TV content

North America

A young girl enchants America’s Got Talent

The Netherlands

RTL Nederland presentsnew season programming

Spain

Grupo Antena 3 launches third digital channel

25 August 2010

week 34

Interim results 2010With EUR 537 million, RTL Group delivers best half-year result evermillih

plus all the

major news

from the last

four weeks

Cover: Montage for the Interim Results 2010

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With growing advertising revenue, many TV companies reported significantly improved financial results in recent weeks. How did RTL Group perform in the first half of 2010?The advertising markets in the first half of 2010 showed a strong recovery in Western Europe – much stronger than expected at the begin-ning of the year. This is the result of the overall economic recovery, but it also demonstrates the strength of television, as many advertisers have re-discovered its unique value for building brands and reaching mass audiences.

For the first half of 2010, RTL Group reports a strong set of results with significant growth in revenue and its best half-year EBITA and profit margin ever. This is also a benefit from our sig-nificant cost reductions in 2009.

The Group’s EBITA margin increased 5.4 per-centage points to 20.2 per cent, and the net result for RTL Group shareholders rose to EUR 257 million.

Also from an audience ratings perspective almost all of our profit centres had an excellent first half year despite the fact that significant sporting events such as the football World Cup and the Olympic Winter Games were broadcast on competing channels.

Where did the EBITA improvement come from?All our units improved their operating results with especially strong performances coming from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Groupe M6 and RTL Nederland.

In Germany, total revenue increased 5 per cent with EBITA rising to EUR 257 million reflecting the significantly higher advertising sales and the comprehensive cost saving measures initiated last year. All of Groupe M6’s operating activities reported revenue and EBITA growth resulting in an overall EBITA improvement of 20.7 per cent to EUR 134 million. And in the Netherlands, the total EBITA of the profit centre doubled to EUR 32 million Euros compared to last year, based on higher revenue generated by the TV activities and stable costs.

You already mentioned the significant cost reductions realised in 2009. Is this still on the agenda?Following significant savings in 2009, we’ve con-tinued to apply strict cost control in 2010. If you look at our half-year figures, you can see that the Group’s operating costs remained broadly stable. Overall, we plan more or less with the same cost base as in 2009.

However, we are and we will remain flexible: we can further cut costs or invest more on short no-tice − depending what the overall economic situ-ation or the competition requires. This is done in close co-ordination with our local management teams in the various countries.

What are RTL Group’s strategic priorities?RTL Group’s strategy will continue to pursue two main goals. First, to further optimise our core broadcasting business. This includes a variety of measures such as strengthening our family of channels and a cautious but flexible cost ap-proach.

RTL Group delivers best half-year result everOn 25 August, RTL Group announced its interim results to 30 June 2010. Backstage asked RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler about the current status of the company.Luxembourg - 25 August 2010

Gerhard Zeiler


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The second main goal is to develop future growth by investing in content production, on-demand platforms and mobile services, leveraging our strong brands and creating a win-win-situation with platform operators. We will also continue to consider geographical expansion in high-growth regions. The digital world offers many business opportunities, and we have the creativity, flex-ibility and financial strength to take advantage of them.

Finally, what is your outlook for the full year 2010?We are confident that the positive trend – in terms of EBITA improvement year-on-year – will also continue in the third quarter of 2010. Based on this and on our strong performance in key markets, we will significantly outperform last year’s result.

However, you wouldn’t expect us to put a number on our full-year result for 2010 – because this will solely depend on the development in the fourth quarter for which we have basically no visibility. This has to do with the strong fourth quarter of last year when the lack of advertising bookings in the first three quarters where partly compensated during the last three months. The only positive indicator we have so far is that TV advertising market growth in the UK will also continue in October.

To sum it up: Our programme schedules for the next season are clear, our audience and adver-tising performance is strong, costs are under control. The fourth quarter will decide whether 2010 will be a good or a great year.

Best first half-year EBITA and profit margin ever

Reported Group revenue up 7.5 per cent to EUR 2,661 million reflecting strong growth in Western European TV advertising markets in first half of 2010

First-half EBITA of EUR 537 million (up 46.3 per cent), mainly driven by significantly higher profit contributions from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Groupe M6 and RTL Nederland

Reported EBITA margin of 20.2 per cent (2009: 14.8 per cent)

Net profit attributable to RTL Group shareholders comes to EUR 257 million (2009: net loss of EUR 105 million)

Net cash from operating activities of EUR 523 million (2009: EUR 237 million), resulting in operating cash conversion of 118 per cent and net cash position at the end of June of EUR 894 million

Following significant cost savings in 2009, operating costs remained broadly stable at EUR 2,168 million (2009: EUR 2,142 million)

All profit centres improved their results

Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland increased its clear audience leadership over main competitor ProSiebenSat1 to 5.2 percentage points and outperformed a significantly growing TV advertis-ing market; EBITA up 62.7 per cent to EUR 257 million

Groupe M6 in France showed strong revenue and EBITA growth across all its activities; EBITA up 20.7 per cent to EUR 134 million

Despite general pressure on margins and volumes, RTL Group’s worldwide production arm FremantleMedia continued its strong performance, thanks to its well-balanced stable of hit entertainment shows; EBITA up 3.4 per cent to EUR 90 million

RTL Nederland doubled EBITA year on year to EUR 32 million

RTL Radio in France reporting EBITA growth of 87.5 per cent, reaching EUR 15 million


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A disciplined approach to portfolio management, Five sold

In July, RTL Group sold its UK broadcaster Five to the Northern & Shell company owned by British publisher Richard Desmond. The total cash consideration payable to RTL Group for its 100 per cent shareholding in Five was EUR 124 million.

In March, FremantleMedia acquired the remaining 25 per cent of the production company Blu, the market leader in Denmark and Sweden, taking FremantleMedia’s ownership to 100 per cent; in April, FremantleMedia took over 100 per cent of the Netherlands-based independent produc-tion company Four One Media

In January, RTL Nederland acquired Radio 10 Gold, expanding its family of radio stations, which also comprises market leader Radio 538 and digital station RTL Lounge Radio

RTL Group’s new media activities show strong growth

RTL Group’s online platforms and on-demand offers across Europe collectively generated more than 715 million video views of professionally produced content – up 50 per cent year-on-year

Total online advertising revenue up 55 per cent year-on-year, driven by video advertising

RTL Group companies have launched 40 mobile applications registering 5.5 million downloads to date; RTL Television became the first German channel to offer a mobile live stream app for its linear TV schedule

Pay-TV channels in Germany, France and the Netherlands are operating at a profit

For more information see:

RTLGroup.com


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All activities contributed to the growth: the group’s advertising revenues (M6 channel, digital channels, Internet) increased by 10.0 per cent, while non-advertising revenues were up 8.7 per cent. On top of that, all activities substantially increased their contribution in terms of current operating profit, thereby validating the group’s strategy of combining growth and profit-ability. Net profit for the period came to EUR 84.4 million, reflecting a 5.5 per cent increase.

The recovery in the ad sales market, which began in March 2010, gathered momentum in Q2, yielding a 12.0 per cent growth in advertis-ing revenues for the channel M6, however on a favourable comparison base. In the first half of 2010, advertising revenues for M6 were up by 7.4 per cent. Programming costs increased by 5.3 per cent to EUR 156.3 million. The channel M6 improved its current operating margin (EBITA/Rev) by 1.8 percentage points to 25.1 per cent.

Revenues from the digital channels (advertising and distribution) rose by 15.8 per cent, mainly driven by W9. The free DTT channel achieved a 2.9 per cent average national audience share over the period (audiences aged 4 and above; Source: Médiamétrie) and confirmed its position as the most-invested-in DTT channel (advertis-ing expenditures) over the period (gross ad data, source Kantar Media). W9 is also the number one DTT channel among housewives under 50 with an average national audience share of 3.8 per cent.

In the first half of 2010, diversification and audiovisual rights revenues were up 9.7 per cent to EUR 317.5 million. The segment’s total contribution to consolidated EBITA was EUR 32.3 million, up 42.9 per cent.

Revenue, EBITA, operating margin: all indicators significantly up End of July, Groupe M6 published its financial results for the first half of 2010. The group’s consolidated revenues grew by 9.4 per cent to EUR 742.1 million, while consolidated EBITA came to EUR 132.5 million, a 23.3 per cent increase.France - 28 July 2010

Based on a recovery of the Spanish TV adver-tising market, consolidated revenue of Grupo Antena 3 increased by 15.7 per cent to EUR 423 million. The company’s operating profit (EBITDA) was EUR 86 million – an increase by 87.0 per cent compared to the first six months of 2009. The net result of Grupo Antena 3 more than doubled to EUR 58 million.

The strong set of results is primarily due to the fact that Grupo Antena’3 TV activities – which contributed 85 per cent to the company’s consol-idated revenue in the first half of 2010 – clearly outperformed the market: while the Spanish TV advertising market was estimated to be up 7.4 per cent year on year, Grupo Antena 3’s net TV advertising sales surged by 21.5 per cent. As a result, the group’s market share increased by 3.4 percentage points to 27.7 per cent.

Net result more than doubled Grupo Antena 3 published its financials for the first half year 2010. All key financial figures – revenue, operating profit and net result – grew significantly year on year. Spain - 29 July 2010


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Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland via RTL Inter-active and ProSiebenSat1 Media plan to set up a joint venture to operate an open technical platform for viewing catch-up TV content on the Internet. The new company’s site is aimed at commercial and public-service TV channels in Germany and Austria, and will provide a platform for participating broadcasters to offer Internet users their content – entire series, mov-ies, shows or news programmes – on a central online site and present them individually in their own branded section of the platform. Internet users will be able to stream all content free of charge for seven days after the TV broadcast. The content will continue to be marketed solely by the respective TV channels. The platform’s establishment and operation are subject to approval by the responsible European Com-mission, the Directorate General for Competi-tion. The application for approval was filed on 6 August.

The new platform gives Internet users the option, for the first time, to catch up on watch-ing TV content on a central, uncluttered online platform that is tailored to the German and Austrian markets respectively. The platform will strengthen competition in the German and Austrian markets and is meant to better position the participating TV channels in the competition with international Internet sites.

RTL Interactive and ProSiebenSat1 plan to set up a joint venture that will provide the participating channels with the technology services needed to use the platform, such as hosting and streaming. The joint venture’s business activity will consist exclusively of providing the technology for the platform. The TV channels will each manage, edit and market their own sections on the platform. The joint venture will receive compensation from the respective TV channels for their use of the technical infrastruc-ture and services, and will have an organisation that is independent of its shareholders.

Open, central platform for TV content on the InternetMediengruppe RTL Deutschland and ProSiebenSat1 are collaborating on an open technical platform for commercial and public-service TV channels in Germany and Austria to provide free views of TV content.Germany - 6 August 2010

Marc Schroeder

VoxNow.de


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Backstage spoke with Marc Schröder, Managing Director of RTL Interactive:

What is the rationale behind this project?The time has come for a site that offers users TV content on a central online platform. This ben-efits users and TV companies equally – whether public service or private, whether small or large. What can users expect once the site is up and running? What is the plan?The user is initially routed to a central homepage that presents select content from the TV chan-nels represented on the platform. From there, he clicks his way to individual sections hosted by the various TV channels, where he can view their respective content. Each TV channel man-ages the content of its individual section of the platform.

Won’t the new platform cannibalise the chan-nels’ own video-on-demand sites such as RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de?In principle, all of the content we plan to show on the new platform will continue to be shown on RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de. It is possible that the new central platform will cause the number of content views on our video-on-demand sites to decline, but we are banking on the consumer-friendly charm and user-side added value of a one-stop shop and expect that this will compen-sate for any decline in user numbers on our own video-on-demand sites. Besides, we also offer paid content from our Preview TV offering and our extensive content archives – and this is avail-able exclusively on RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de. Would the site be free for users?Yes, the content is ad-financed and available for free on the new platform for seven days after the TV broadcast. Afterwards, users can access the content through the archives on RTLNow.de or VoxNow.de – as they already can today.

RTLNow.de


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Some 20 members of the press had come to Super RTL’s new domicile in Cologne-Deutz to watch and listen as the channel’s Managing Director Claude Schmit and Head of Programming Carsten Göttel presented the new line-up. In the year ahead, Super RTL not only further cemented its market leadership in the children’s segment but also added new viewers especially in prime time. “Our shareholders put together a lavish package of films and series,” says Carsten Göttel. “Besides Toy Story 2 and Camp Rock 2, the series are going to be instru-mental in upgrading our prime time.”

Starting in January 2011, Super RTL will show the series that was last year’s sleeper hit in the US: Glee. With an average ten million view-ers per episode, it won a Golden Globe, three TCA Awards and was nominated for 19 Emmy Awards. “We will probably schedule the series somewhere close to Deutschland sucht den Superstar – Das Magazin,” says Schmit. Super RTL will begin showing the remake of the classic Knight Rider, along with Merlin and Star Wars: Clone Wars in prime time starting in October – the latter two will make their German premiere on Super RTL. Carsten Göttel explains the strat-egy: “We want to use prime time to show child-friendly adult programming for the whole family rather than children’s programming.”

Highlights of the new afternoon line-up include the new series Angelo Rules and Sally Bol-lywood as well as Teenage Rockstar Sommer-camp. The lavishly produced talent show will be seen on Super RTL come September. Ten finalists will compete for the title of ‘Teenage Rockstar 2010’. Super RTL will also be launch-

ing Zoom, a new celebrity magazine of its own, moderated by Nina Mog-ghadam – which will be aired early evenings. “Only on Super RTL will viewers see the stars seen in Bravo magazine, too, like Miley Cirus,” says Göttel happily. New additions to the pro-gramme include the Disney series Kick Buttowski, Tripp’s Rockband and Meine Schwester Charlie.

The preschoolers’ line-up Toggolino will bring new episodes of favourites such as Bob the Builder and Timmy Time for the channel’s youngest viewers, and there are brand-new formats to further sharpen the children’s and family channel’s profile: the animated series Dschungel, Dschungel! and the commissioned production Gustav, which brings the eponymous mascot of the parenting magazine Eltern onto German TV screens.

Super RTL will also be bringing music to its preschoolers’ programming in a cooperation with the children’s songwriter Detlev Jöcker. The music-and-dance clips tell stories from the eve-ryday worlds of nursery school and preschool children. Little viewers are invited to dance, sing and join in as they start the day with lots of fun and exercise.

“The new programme line-up marks a new be-ginning for us,” says Claude Schmit. “I believe that we will be able to win over a wide range of viewers with our content, allowing us to grow our market share among 14- to 49-year-olds as well.”

New programme line-up marks a new beginningAt its first own programme press conference in years, Super RTL had a big surprise to announce. The children’s channel will show the exclusive free-TV premiere of Glee, last year’s most popular series from the US.Germany - 13 August 2010

Carsten Göttel

Watch trailers on

Backstage


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Tom Sänger, Head of Entertainment Show & Daytime at RTL Television, says: “Fernanda Brandao and Patrick Nuo will greatly enhance the jury and the new season. Both have long years of experience in the music business and as performers. I thank Nina Eichinger and Volker Neumüller for their outstanding work in the last two seasons, in which they played a formative role.” Dieter Bohlen adds: “I greatly look forward to my two new colleagues, who both bring stage experience and commercial music skills to their roles.”

Patrick Nuo rose to fame with hits including 5 Days, Reanimate and Beautiful. At just 27 years of age, the Swiss heartthrob has already released three albums and eight singles, and his songs have become a fixture on pop radio play-lists. Today, he lives and works in the US, and is currently playing the lead in a US movie short scheduled for completion in 2011. Comment-ing on his new role at Deutschland sucht den Superstar (DSDS), Nuo says: “I very much look forward to my new role on Germany’s most popular TV show and of course to the many thousands of candidates. I’m hoping for a lot of young people who will inspire us with their talent this season – because I know they exist in Germany, and in Austria and my own native Switzerland.”

Fernanda Brandao was born in Belo Horizonte/ Minas Gerais, Brazil, and grew up in Rio de Ja-neiro. At the tender age of 4, she was already wowing audiences in various children’s produc-

tions in her native Brazil. When Fernanda was 9 years old, her mother decided to move to Ger-many. In Europe, Fernanda started taking ballet, jazz, modern dance, hip-hop and singing les-sons, and by the age of 11, she already had her first show. She appeared in a number of music videos as a dancer. She rose to fame in Europe, Asia and the Middle East as the lead singer of Hot Banditoz, a Latino pop group that released the summer hit Veo Veo in 2004. Brandao has lived in Berlin, where she has other projects ongoing besides the Hot Banditoz, since 2007. “I am delighted to be part of Germany’s biggest talent show. I’m excited to see the candidates, and look forward to some major surprises,” Fernanda Brandao says about DSDS.

Presenting: the new jury Hit producer Dieter Bohlen will be joined by singer/songwriter Patrick Nuo and singer Fernanda Brandao on the judging panel for season eight of Deutschland sucht den Superstar.Germany - 16 August 2010

Fernanda Brandao

Patrick Nuo


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The X Factor has already soared to success in 16 countries, and the seventh season began in England on 22 August. The first season of X Factor Germany kicked off on RTL Televi-sion on 20 August and 21 August. On Saturday evening, the new talent show was the evening’s number-one show among 14 to 49 year-old viewers, with a market share von 21.3 per cent. In all, an average 2.23 million viewers aged 3 and older watched the second show in the new series featuring the pop queen Sarah Connor, star trumpeter Till Brönner and successful pro-ducer George Glueck as its three judges. This was a marked improvement in market shares compared with the kick-off show on Friday evening (16.4 per cent), when the show had to compete among other things with the season’s first Bundesliga match, Bayern München against VfL Wolfsburg, which was broadcast live on ARD. After this event-style showcasing, the show moves to Vox: since 24 August and through the final, it has been on air on Vox, Tuesdays at 20:15.

What sets X Factor apart from other talent shows is that over the course of the season, the judges – in Germany, they are the pop star Sarah Connor, jazz musician Till Brönner and the pro-ducer George Glueck – become the candidates’ mentors and compete with each other as well. They use their own expertise to perfect the can-didates’ performance, working hard to ensure that “their” act wins the show. The contestants

and judges compete in three categories: solo artists aged 16 to 24, solo artists aged 25 and older and vocal duos or groups aged 16 and up.

The way to the top is anything but easy for X Factor contestants: during the four stages of the show, participants have to first win over the judges, and finally the viewers. It all begins with the auditions, which attracted more than 19,000 candidates.

The battle of the singing talents and judgesLeona Lewis became an international megastar through X Factor. Now, the internationally successful talent show made its debut in Germany.Germany - 20 August 2010

Sarah Connor

Till Brönner


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At the second stage, the candidates are divided into the three categories mentioned above. Each judge takes on one of the categories and acts as a mentor, preparing his protégés for the next steps in his or her personal “Bootcamp” by giv-ing them their first few vocal assignments. The mentors get to decide for their category which six acts go to the next round.

During phase three, each mentor and their six acts jointly work on their performance in a pri-vate setting. The jury houses for this period are located at various exclusive locations in Europe. Now, it all has to come together– voice, styling, stage presence. And only the best three acts from each jury house will move to the fourth, final and crucial round of X Factor: the live shows.

During the live shows, the viewers decide who gets to fulfil their dream of superstardom, through phone voting. The two acts with the fewest number of calls are given a final chance in a sing-off that same evening, competing against each other with a song of their choice. The judges then decide which of them gets the last ticket for the next live-show.

In this way, during each live show one act is eliminated until there are only two hopefuls left to compete with each other in the grand finale. The decision on who emerges as the winner of X Factor is up to the viewers. The live shows are enhanced with appearances and performances by top-notch domestic and international stars.

The winner of X Factor gets a recording contract with Sony Music and the chance at a major career in music.

X Factor highlight videos are posted exclusively on Vox.de and Clipfish.de. The full-length show episodes will be available on RTLNow.de and VoxNow.de after they have been broadcast on TV. Comprehensive information, including exclu-sive backgrounders and videos about the show itself, the judges and the candidates is posted on Vox.de. Just in time for the start on Vox, RTL Interactive also launched an X Factor App for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Grundy Light Entertainment produces X Factor for Vox and RTL Television; both are Medien-gruppe RTL Deutschland channels. Grundy Light Entertainment is a company in the UFA group, FremantleMedia’s German subsidiary.

George Glueck

The new iPhone App

Watch X Factor on:

VoxNow.de or

RTLNow.de


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In a press release, RTL II announced that new formats will in future be subjected to a standard evaluation procedure covering editorial aspects, external production partners, programming management, marketing and advertising sales. The whole procedure will be overseen by the company’s management.

By adopting this procedure, RTL II is endeav-ouring to make sure that its future programmes meet quality requirements better than they have done in the past. Last year, the channel prom-ised such an improvement to its viewers and advertising customers when it launched its new brand positioning campaign with the slogan “it’s fun“.

RTL II’s Managing Director Jochen Starke said: “We value the fact that RTL II is viewed as a channel that combines entertainment comprising innovative and sometimes controversial formats with a great feel for empathy and social respon-sibility. Our new quality management approach will help us ensure that this awareness clearly shines through every day in our schedule“. RTL II also announced that the editor-in-chief of its entertainment team, Julia Nicolas, is leaving the company on friendly terms by mutual agree-ment, to devote herself to new challenges.

Staff and content-related changes at RTL IIThe Munich-based channel RTL II announced the introduction of new measures designed to ensure the quality of its programmes as part of its ongoing efforts to reposition its brand. Julia Nicolas, who had headed up the channel’s entertainment team, is leaving the company.Germany - 20 August 2010

According to the press release, “this transfer will be effective after the resolution of the usual suspension clauses. This transfer will occur in conformity with the interests of the club of Bordeaux, the trainer, the technical staff all as well as the contractual commitments made with the player. The Club will very soon have the opportunity to communicate and reaffirm its ambitions for the forthcoming season.”

In an interview given to Aujourd’hui en France, Nicolas de Tavernost, CEO and Chair-man of the Management Board of Groupe M6, stated: “Today’s circumstances see a player leaving us. Bordeaux has a good team, with or without Gourcuff. I would like to confirm that the Girondins’ aim is to set up a team with Champions league level.”

Transfer : A deal for GourcuffL’Olympique Lyonnais and the FC Girondins de Bordeaux, part of Groupe M6, announced in a joint press release that they reached a deal regarding the permanent transfer of Yoann Gourcuff.France - 24 August 2010

Yoann Gourcuff


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On 14 August, a little girl just over four foot tall, managed to move and inspire 10.5 million view-ers with her vocal performance in the fifth sea-son of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. At the age of 8 years, Jackie Evancho saw The Phantom of the Opera and was so impressed that she took singing lessons. Shortly after she was present-ing her first performance on YouTube where she got a lot of fans. With this support she decided to go to America’s Got Talent.

Jackie, 10, bowled over the judges, the audi-ence and millions of fans watching at home with her rendition of the sophisticated Italian aria O Mio Babbino Caro by Giacomo Puccini. Jackie has moved to the next round, one step closer to the USD 1 million grand prize, leaving interna-tional headlines in her wake. The Bild website headlined its report “Jackie Evancho enchants America”, while Marie Drucker, a news pre-senter at France 2, waxes equally enthusiastic: “A 10-year-old singer has the US at her feet.”

Jackie isn’t the first to wow millions of TV view-ers with an unexpectedly brilliant vocal perform-ance. She follows in the footsteps of Paul Potts and Susan Boyle, who both emerged as stars from past seasons of Britain’s Got Talent. Susan Boyle’s first album I Dreamed a Dream broke all advance sales records and sold more than 7 million units worldwide.

America’s Got Talent is produced by FremantleMedia North America. The Got Talent format has been sold to more than 27 countries to date; in Germany, the fourth season of Das Supertalent begins on RTL Television in late September 2010.

A sweet little girl seduces AmericaOnce again, a talent show has succeeded in riveting millions of TV viewers to their seats – and generating headlines within hours of its broadcast. North America - 17 August 2010

Jackie Evancho


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“In the future, we not only want to enhance our position in the radio and TV market, but also become active in new markets – where the consumers are and we as the RTL brand can contribute added value. This includes ac-tivities at theatres, concerts or cinema theatres,” says Bert Habets, CEO of RTL Nederland, adding: “Our aim is to strengthen the entertainment business and to be the Netherlands’ leading media and entertainment company. This mission means that we will continue to offer the kind of high-quality, innova-tive programming that viewers demand.

Starting in fall, a number of popular formats like Uschi, Miljoenenjacht, Echt Waar?!, Wat Vindt Nederland and Ik hou van Holland will return to the Saturday night line-up at RTL 4. Friday eve-nings are already all about talent: after Holland’s Got Talent launched successfully this summer, the new show The Voice of Holland will follow in fall. After that, RTL 4 will devote the broadcast-ing slot to a new season of X Factor. In access primetime, the channel will rely on its proven formats Editie NL, RTL Boulevard, RTL Nieuws and Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden – in October the popular soap celebrates its 20th anniversary. The new season of Uitstel van Executie began on Tuesday 24 August. Martijn Krabbé and his team of experts will again give their all to save homeowners from foreclosure.

At RTL 5, the upcoming season is all about ad-venturers from the Netherlands, ambitious talent and US series. The new season of So You Think You Can Dance begins on 29 August, and in the twelfth season of Expeditie Robinson, a number of celebrities have to prove that they are strong enough to survive on a deserted Malaysian isle. One clear highlight among the new US series is Glee. The musical, which was nominated for 19 Emmy Awards and won a Golden Globe already was a big hit in the US, England and Australia and is now poised to captivate the Netherlands. There will also be new seasons of Benelux Next Top Model, Who Is The Boss, On The Boil and Take Me Out.

Meanwhile, RTL 7 promises to deliver “Meer voor Mannen” (More for Men). The Netherlands’ only real men’s channel will unveil a new logo, a new look and “official colours” this fall: black and yellow. Football is one of the main empha-ses in its programming, with broadcasts of the Europa League and Jupiler League matches as well as the football magazine show Voetbal International. Car and motorcycle racing, as well as Ultimate Fighting are also a fixture in RTL 7’s programming. Sunday evenings are devoted to series such as The Unit and the eighth season of 24.

Women will find programming tailored to their tastes on RTL 8. Starting this autumn, the channel will show RTL Télé Kids, programming specifically for 3- to 8-year-olds – the highlight here is De Schatkamer, a new studio show to be broadcast from the Netherlands’ biggest theme

Everything’s coming up entertainment!In the upcoming TV season, RTL Nederland’s channels present a colourful package of entertainment, information and show programming. The channels each cater to their own demographic and mutually complement each other.The Netherlands - 24 August 2010

Martijn Krabbé

New logo of RTL 7


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Dr. Phil and Oprah Winfrey

park, Efteling. Starting in fall, the channel will show the fourth season of the popular series The Tudors as well as new episodes of the two talk shows Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil.

RTL Lounge is also focusing on women in the season ahead. After a good first year, the channel will continue to present a bouquet of high-quality formats in its second year. Starting at the end

of August, the channel will show the new series Westenwind and Laguna Beach. From 30 Au-gust, RTL Lounge will show the Dutch premiere of the Canadian dating show The Matchmaker. Advance episodes of Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden, Project Catwalk and TV Makelaar will also continue to be a fixed element in the digital channel’s programming.

Sue Sylvester (right), coach of the cheerleaders, is not to happy about the new Glee club at her high school


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Appearing on RTL Radio France’s morning show, which is hosted by Vincent Parizot and followed by 4.13 million listeners on average each day, is a must for every politician who counts. On 14 August, Dominique Paillé answered questions posed by the station’s journalist Philippe Corbé regarding the heated criticism directed at the French government by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimi-nation. The “made in RTL” news was subsequently taken up by many international media, including Germany’s public channel ARD, which used images from the interview with the UMP (France’s ruling party) spokesperson shot in the rue Bayard studios on its main news programme Tagesschau.

As for the content of the news: beginning of August the UN committee strongly criticised recent statements by President Nicolas Sarkozy regarding the Roma – criticism rejected categorically by the UMP. Dominique Paillé responded on RTL Radio France, pointing out the composition of the UN committee, a committee that is made up of “people who come from countries which absolutely do not respect human rights”; he reminded listen-ers that France is incontestably “a country that respects democratic and republican principles as well as human rights and that, secondly, France possesses what is probably the most abundant and effective anti-racist legislative arsenal in the world”.

RTL Radio France scoop causes a stirDominique Paillé, spokesperson for the UMP, was on air at RTL Radio France – another scoop for France’s number one radio station, that was soon taken up by many international media. France - 17 August 2010

ARD’s televised news programme Tagesschau covers the RTL Radio France scoop on the Friday evening edition of the show


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Zimmer began the interview – a double inter-view with him and his public-service counterpart Joachim Knuth, radio director at the public broadcaster NDR – by confirming that commer-cial radio and public-service radio have been working together in the Radiozentrale for some time now. “It’s an organisation dedicated to mar-keting the genre ‘contemporary radio’,” explains Zimmer. “All the occasional differences that we have on media policy issues aside, there is great agreement between public-service and commer-cial radio when it comes to genre marketing.” For instance, the organisation strives to emphasise the importance of radio as a medium and draw attention to its excellent reach, which often goes unnoticed. “We make a lot happen, but are frequently not perceived as doing so by the public,” says Zimmer. Radiozentrale is working to change this.

The Radiozentrale also served as the bridge between commercial radio and the German Radio Award, which is administered and organ-ised by public service as well as commercial stations. “We discuss and plan everything togeth-er, and jointly put it into practice, too,” so Zimmer. “As for the awards, both sides will be able to win in any of the categories. We didn’t construct any artificial categories, but ones that reflect contem-porary radio. The protagonists and the listeners can identify with them.” Each station can submit three entries for the German Radio Awards. In the middle of August, a judging panel appointed by the Grimme Institute will shortlist three finalists per category. The awards themselves will be presented on 17 September in Hamburg.

Asked about the competition presented by the Internet, Gert Zimmer and Joachim Knuth are in agreement: “Radio use has actually increased recently,” beams Zimmer. Knuth adds: “Your question suggests that we’d already been written off. The opposite is the case. We are, in fact, alive and well.” This is true for commer-cial and public-service stations alike. Zimmer continues: “We look at how we can expand and enhance our programming in the online realm – video, extra information, service, comedy, interactive use options. Social communities play a big role, too.”

“We make a lot happen”In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Gert Zimmer, CEO of RTL Radio Deutschland, talked about the new German Radio Award, cooperation with public-service radio, and the Internet.Germany - 26 July 2010

Gert Zimmer


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Figyelo is a Hungarian business and news mag-azine. Published weekly, the magazine covers a broad range of subjects, such as politics, busi-ness, economy, society, technology and to some extent culture. In Hungary it is perceived as an impartial source of information. In its current issue it has compiled several lists of important people from different areas of society. The result is a 148-page publication that offers readers a comprehensive insight into today’s public life.

RTL Klub’s personalities reached relatively high rankings on the Toplista Emberek, Arcok lists. RTL Klub’s CEO Dirk Gerkens (see teaser pic-ture) ranks 10th in the list of Hungary’s most in-fluential people alongside others such as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Sándor Csányi, CEO and chairman of OTP, the region’s biggest bank; Zsolt Hernádi, head of the MOL Group, one of the biggest oil companies in the region; and Tamás Fellegi, Minister of National Development.

Among the nine most influential experts in the media industry, the publication lists five RTL Klub personages: Tamás Kalamár, producer of the popular RTL Klub series Barátok közt and Szeress most!; Péter Herman, creative producer of the channel’s daily shows Mónika and Balázs-show and creator of Gyozike-show as well as Marry me, Daniel!, Saturday Night Fever, A Star is Born, and the local versions of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and the upcoming X-Faktor; Gáspár Gyozo, Host of the Gyozike-show; Balázs Sebestyén, host of the Balázs-show, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, Take it or Leave it, Poker Face and X-Faktor; and Mónika Erdélyi, host of the Mónika-show and the daily morning show Reggeli.

The top 10 most popular stand-up comedians listed by Toplista Emberek Arcok include Sándor Badár, Ádám Kiss, Zoltán Kohalmi and Tibor Bödocs who regularly appear on RTL Klub’s comedy format Showder Klub. And finally, Éva Barabás (Fókusz – RTL Klub’s daily boulevard magazine) and Antónia Eros (News anchorwom-an) are listed among the country’s most effective fundraisers.

Hungary’s most influential personalitiesToplista Emberek, Arcok, a joint publication by Figyelo and United Publisher, lists the most interesting personalities in Hungarian public life – and they include several RTL Klub presenters and executives such as RTL Klub CEO Dirk Gerkens.Hungary - 29 July 2010Dirk Gerkens

Balázs Sebestyén


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The judges on X-Faktor, as the show is known in Hungary, will be Feró Nagy, Péter Geszti, Miklós Malek and – the only woman – Ildikó Keresz-tes. All of them have written their own chapters in Hungarian music history. Feró Nagy rose to fame in the 1980s with his band Beatrice and its gold and platinum records. Péter Geszti and Ildikó Keresztes, too, have already achieved what many dream of: millions of records sold and gold and platinum awards. Miklós Malek, on the other hand, turns others into international stars – the producer/songwriter works in Hollywood with stars like J.Lo, Anastacia, Faith Evans, Donna Summer and others.

The shows will be presented by Nóra Ördög and Balázs Sebestyén. Although both have moder-ated numerous formats in the past, this is the first time they will be appearing together.

The auditions attracted more than 6,000 singers; the remaining 153 candidates then went on to “boot camp” before stepping out to prove their skills on the big stage. In the live shows, three acts per category – 16 to 24 males (“Boys”), 16 to 24 females (“Girls”), Over 25s, and Groups – will compete to determine who has the ‘X Factor’.

X-Faktor is produced jointly by Grundy Light Entertainment and IKO Productions for RTL Klub and will kick off on 28 August.

A top-notch jury for HungaryGrundy Light Entertainment produces local adaptations of FremantleMedia’s The X Factor for Vox in Germany and RTL Klub in Hungary. The company announced details about the Hungarian show’s jury.Germany / Hungary - 5 August 2010

Miklós Malek, Ildikó Keresztes and Péter Geszti

Nóra Ördög and Balázs Sebestyén


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“The new channel not only closes a gap in our group’s profile, but a gap in the Spanish TV mar-ket,” comments Bernd Reichart, Managing Director of the digital channels Neox, Nova and Nitro, adding: “We are convinced that by appealing to a male audience, we are tap-ping great new potential in the Spanish market.” The group’s existing digital channels, which have now been on air for five years, focus on other target audiences: Neox caters primarily to younger audiences, while Nova specialises in the female demographic. Reichart ex-plains: “The launch of the new chan-nel creates a good complementary range for the whole family.”

The new channel’s programming will consist primarily of US series, based on exclusive con-tracts with three of the major studios – Warner, Fox and Universal. “Roughly 85 per cent of the weekly programme will consist of US content,” explains Reichart. The series include classics like X Files and Columbo, as well as premieres

such as the seventh and eighth seasons of 24 and the TV movie 24: Redemption. The new

channel will also air the series Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Flashpoint,

Rush and Southland and takes over Without A Trace, which was

previously shown on Antena 3. Nitro’s film library includes Paramount and MGM titles, with films including Collateral, The Lords of Steel, Walk-ing Tall and Transporter 3 to

be aired under the Nitrocine label. “But of course we

will start showing more own productions after the launch. We

will cover all the TV genres that are relevant for our target demographic.“

Last year, Neox and Nova had more than dou-bled their viewer market share. The two Grupo Antena 3 channels recently recorded the best ratings since they first went on air in 2005, scor-ing a joint viewer market share of 6.28 percent on 12 August – the third channel, Nitro, is to keep all of Grupo Antena 3’s digital channels permanently over this mark.

Complementing digital channelGrupo Antena 3’s new digital channel Nitro took up its regular operation on 23 August, and caters primarily to men aged 35 to 55, with a mix consisting mainly of movies, sport and US series.Spain - 2 August 2010

For more information:

www.antenna3.com/

nitro

The most watched programme in France this summerWith 4.9 million viewers on average

and an audience share of 31.9 per cent

among share of housewives under 50, the

romantic docu-reality show achieved the

programme’s best ratings ever.Loïc and Stéphanie met in 2008 thanks

to the show and her baby boy Gaby just

arrived: “This is the finality of the show”,

declared Loïc, “this is exactly what we wish the other participants”.


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Germany’s first broadcaster app featuring live TV Viewers can now watch live streams of numerous RTL Television programmes, as well as many video clips from RTL’s programming, directly in the RTL App on their iPhone or using an Internet connection on their iPod touch.Germany - 23 July 2010

The German TV market in JulyMediengruppe RTL Deutschland’s channels scored 33.3 per cent of the market in July, outperforming the channels of ProSiebenSat1, which attracted 29.2 per cent of Germany’s TV viewers. N-TV reports its best monthly market share of the year to date.Germany - 2 August 2010

A good start to the summerIn July 2010, the major programmes on M6 continued to gather audiences. On average, M6 achieved a total audience share of 10.0 per cent during the day and 10.9 per cent in the strategic noon to midnight time slot. With a 3.0 per cent total audience share nationwide, W9 is the DTT channel that drew the most viewers for the 19th consecutive month.France - 3 August 2010

Spanish digital channels score historic ratings Shortly before Grupo Antena 3’s third digital channel starts its regular broadcast operations on 23 August, Neox and Nova together scored a 6.28 per cent share of the viewer market on 12 August, the best ratings since they first went on the air.Spain - 16 August 2010

Los Protegidos first TV series in 3DLos Protegidos, (The Protected) was the revelation series in Spain last year. For its return, Antena 3 set a milestone by showing the first episode in 3D.Spain - 23 July 2010


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The French love TwilightDistributed in France by the Société nouvelle de distribution (SND, a subsidiary of Groupe M6), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse has already drawn 3.18 million spectators to cinemas.France - 28 July 2010

Five seconds to fameRusskiy Illusion and Illusion+ present the Russian micromovie festival Shots in cooperation with Akado.Russia - 29 July 2010

An exciting music eventAustralia’s most prestigious music event, the ARIA Awards, will this year be produced by FremantleMedia Australia in a glittering live broadcast on Network Ten.Australia - 30 July 2010

UFA Sports launches branch in AsiaUFA Sports has partnered with Asian sports rights specialists Tom Houseman and Jeff Chue to launch a joint venture: UFA Sports Asia will aim to stimulate the greater com-petition in the Asian sports business and to establish superior servicing benchmarks.Germany - 28 July 2010

Lead extendedThe annual Saisoncheck performed by the media newswire Kress ranks Grundy Light Entertainment number one – just like the parent company UFA.Germany - 27 July 2010

An in-depth insight into The X Factor worldFremantleMedia Enterprises and Syco Entertainment have announced the launch of a new magazine under The X Factor brand in the United Kingdom. The magazine will be published by Haymarket Network.United Kingdom - 28 July 2010


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Expanded online portfolio IP Deutschland will market the official website of the German Football League from now on. With its high-quality content and 1.8 million unique users, Bundesliga.de provides an ideal environment for advertisers. Germany - 6 August 2010

Warner Bros. blockbusters now available on demandAfter signing agreements with NBC Universal for series including Dr. House and Monk, RTL Interactive recently also signed deals with Warner Bros. for a set of blockbusters and popular series.Germany - 3 August 2010

The search has only just begunAfter Greek Idol ended on 28 June with Valanto Trifonos emerging as the winner, Alpha TV confirmed that the talent show will return for a second season next year.Germany - 24 August 2010

A new record in news videosThe N-TV.de news website scored its best ratings ever in July, when it generated 2.3 million video views.Germany - 10 August 2010

Now Holland’s voices can audition via radio Since beginning of August, candidates for the talent show The Voice of Holland can audition via Radio 538 as well.The Netherlands - 11 August 2010


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Vox now broadcasts from DeutzFollowing the successful transfer of Super RTL’s broadcasting operations, Vox too began broadcasting from the new premises in Cologne-Deutz, including its Austrian and Swiss programming. Germany - 17 August 2010

Nothing’s too much trouble when covering a football matchBosnia-Herzegovina vs. France: For the first time ever in France, M6 will include live 3D analysis during its coverage of this second Euro 2012 qualifier, due to be aired on the channel at 20:35 on Tuesday, 7 September. France - 20 August 2010

Now available for Android smartphonesN-TV expands its portfolio of apps to include an application for Android smartphone. The free app will be exclusively preinstalled on the Samsung Galaxy S I9000 for four weeks. Starting in mid-September, the application can then be downloaded for any smartphone from the Android market.Germany - 24 August 2010

Marking Ramadan During Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, RTL II has been broadcasting daily notifications of sunrise and sunset, the beginning and ending times of the daily fast.Germany - 11 August 2010

RTL Sport on your iPhone Just imagine having all sports news and videos available anywhere and at any time! Well, that dream has now come true, thanks to a clever innovation by RTL Belgium designed for mobile Internet users who happen to be sports addicts.Belgium - 13 August 2010


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People

Lorenzo MieliItaly - 26 July 2010

FremantleMedia has announced the appoint-ment of Lorenzo Mieli as Managing Director of FremantleMedia Italia SpA.

Lorenzo Mieli will be based in Rome and report to Monica Galer, FremantleMedia’s Head of Northern and Southern Europe. In his new position, Mieli will lead FremantleMedia’s production operations and business develop-ment activities in Italy, working with broadcast and non-broadcast partners to leverage the FremantleMedia brand within the Italian media market. FremantleMedia Italia SpA was formerly known as Grundy Italia SpA, and is the market leading production arm of FremantleMedia in Italy.

Monica Galer, Head of Northern and South-ern Europe, FremantleMedia, said: “We are delighted that Lorenzo will be leading Fremantle-Media’s efforts to build upon our presence in the Italian market with our new company name of FremantleMedia Italia. Lorenzo has a very strong background in the Italian television industry, with a history of creating inspiring entertainment for audiences in Italy and worldwide. His experience makes him ideally placed to drive our creative and commercial efforts in Italy, working as part of FremantleMedia’s broader global network.” Lorenzo Mieli, Managing Director, FremantleMedia Italia, said: “I am glad to have joined the FremantleMedia Group and I look forward to working on new and exciting projects and to expanding the company in the Italian market.”

Lorenzo Mieli


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People

Jörg TaubitzGermany - 27 July 2010

Jörg Taubitz takes over the five-strong UFA Sports marketing team at 1. FC Union Berlin.

In March of this year, UFA Sports had signed a ten-year marketing cooperation agreement with the 1. FC Union Berlin football club. The sports marketing company supports the second-league team in marketing its range of media, advertising and hospitality space.

Taubitz brings years of professional media and sales experience to managing the team in Ber-lin. “I greatly look forward to this new role,” says Taubitz. “The team is very motivated and togeth-er, we will actively assist 1. FC Union Berlin in realising its ambitious goals in the years ahead.”

Jörg Taubitz

People

Mandy SchellerGermany - 2 August 2010

Mandy Scheller, 34, will head the New Media & Audiotainment department at Radio Center Berlin effective immediately. She succeeds Joachim Radünz, who left the company at the end of July.

In her new role, Scheller will supervise the online strategy of the Berlin radio stations 104.6 RTL and 105’5 Spreeradio, the development of line and brand extensions and the marketing of Radio Center Berlin’s extensive comedy portfolio. She reports directly to Stephan Schmitter, Managing Director of Radio Center Berlin.

Mandy Scheller previously worked for the Radioholding RTL Radio Deutschland in Berlin as a project manager in the Strategy and Busi-ness Development department. Here, the focus of her work was on online strategies and the development of digital business models and strategic partnerships. Scheller also developed the new online city portal Top10Berlin.de, which was successfully established on the market.

“In Mandy Scheller, we welcome a highly quali-fied leader who has already proven her qualities and merits at various companies. I am delighted to work with her on actively advancing digital radio and providing new impetus in this sector, which is an important one for us,” says Stephan Schmitter.

Mandy Scheller


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People

Nigel LythgoeNorth AMerica - 9 August 2010

Nigel Lythgoe will return as an Executive Pro-ducer of American Idol. He joins Executive Producers Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz and Ken Warwick for the milestone tenth anniversary season of American Idol, premiering January 2011.

“Since we launched the original Pop Idol in England, I’ve remained close with Simon Fuller. Working as executive producer on American Idol for its first seven years not only was an inspirational journey into the heart of American pop culture, it opened my eyes to the untapped potential of the incredibly dynamic young peo-ple in this world. I have been able to continue discovering raw talent on So You Think You Can Dance, which I co-created with Simon,” said Lythgoe. “American Idol became a juggernaut of epic proportions, but to me it was always like home. I am elated and honored to be rejoining childhood friend and fellow Executive Producer Ken Warwick, and look forward to creating more magic.” “I am so happy to be welcoming Nigel back to the Idol family. He is without doubt the most accomplished Executive Producer I have ever worked with. Nigel helped to define the show I created almost ten years ago, mentoring our judging panel and nurturing our talent. His un-bridled passion has been missed,” said Ameri-can Idol creator and Executive Producer Simon Fuller. “This year, with Idol celebrating our tenth season as the world’s biggest and most power-ful TV show, I felt it was an important time to col-laborate with Nigel once again to help redefine American Idol and take us through to the next incarnation of the show.”

Nigel Lythgoe is co-founder of Big Red 2 Enter-tainment, a company he set up with Idol creator Simon Fuller and CKX. Lythgoe is also co-crea-tor and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning series So You Think You Can Dance. His other Executive Producer credits include seven seasons of American Idol. While serving as the show’s Executive Producer, American Idol was nominated for 47 Emmy Awards, and in 2007, received the prestigious Governors’ Award, the Television Academy’s highest honor, for Idol Gives Back, which he executive produced. American Idol is created and executive produced by Simon Fuller, founder, 19 Entertainment; and executive produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America; and Nigel Lythgoe, president, Big Red 2 Entertainment.

Nigel Lythgoe


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People

Emmanuelle NamiechUnited Kingdom - 11 August 2010

FremantleMedia Enterprises has appointed Emmanuelle Namiech as its Senior Vice President Content & Development for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Asia-Pacific.

Ellender commented: “FME is exceptionally placed to drive the creation of new high quality content for a worldwide audience as well as de-velop and expand on the content currently within the FME portfolio as a part of its global rights business. Emmanuelle’s past experience across all genres and the strong relationships she has within the industry internationally will further ce-ment FME’s stronghold in nurturing first class relationships with IP creators.”

Before joining FME Namiech was Director of Content Acquisition at ITV Global Entertainment, where she was responsible for overall manage-ment of its content and building the company’s portfolio. Previous to ITV Global, she was Direc-tor of Acquisitions & Co-productions at Granada International, ITV and served as Territory and Co-Productions Manager at Carlton Interna-tional, Carlton Communications where she built up a successful career during her time at the organisation.

As part of her new role at FME, Emmanuelle will be working alongside Jeff Tahler, SVP, Acquisi-tions & Development for the Americas, based in Los Angeles. She will also be working quite closely with Paul Ridley, EVP, Asia-Pacific on driving the FME portfolio of IP and third-party relationships in that region. This integrates syn-ergistically into the acquisitions responsibilities Paul is now charged with after his promotion last year, strengthening FME’s position in the marketplace. The recent addition of Nathalie Drouaire to spearhead European develop-ment and co-financed English-language drama production underscores the strong investment FME is putting behind its innovative content with international appeal.

Emmanuelle Namiech


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People

Peter van der Vorst The Netherlands - 18 August 2010

People

Caroline Hart United Kingdom - 19 August 2010

Presenter Peter van der Vorst has signed a new two-year contract with RTL 4.

Peter van der Vorst has been the resident royal correspondent for RTL Boulevard since the show began back in 2001 and Friday, 20 August sees the start of the third series of his in-depth inter-view show Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren (Van der Vorst Meets the Stars).

Erland Galjaard, Programme Director for RTL 4, says: “Peter is a well-trained journalist and knows how to apply his journalistic skills in an entertainment environment – a mix of talent which makes him an extremely valuable asset for programmes such as RTL Boulevard and Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren.”

Peter van der Vorst says: “I’m honoured that RTL 4 has placed its trust in me again and am delighted to have been given the opportunity to continue with Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren, which is the kind of show I’ve always dreamed of pre-senting.”

For Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren the journalist has interviewed international stars such as Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as well as Dutch ce-lebrities including Andre van Duin, Frans Bauer and André Rieu. In the upcoming third series, he will be meeting more famous faces in their own homes, among them Armin van Buuren and Larry Hagman, as well as catching up with Julia Roberts in Rome. Peter will also be on the set of the new Harry Potter film.

FremantleMedia Entreprises (FME) has ap-pointed Caroline Hart as Content Consultant to research, catalogue and digitise The Thames Television archive.

Cordon Craig, Head of Archive Sales, com-mented: “We are delighted to have Caroline join-ing the team. She has developed an impressive network and outstanding experience over the course of her career. Her experience and exper-tise as a researcher, cataloguer and manager is immensely valuable to FME as we continue to modernise and delve into our Thames Television archive.”

In her new role Caroline will be bringing The Thames Television catalogue to life, sorting through 24 years and 100,000+ hours of pro-gramming by prioritising the most relevant docu-mentaries and programmes ranging from topics including politics, welfare, climate change and the economy. Further to these responsibilities, Caroline will also be looking into the potential representation and acquisition of further cata-logues for FME.

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