week 13 / 27 March 2014

TO THE EXTREME...Launch of the second pay-TV channel in Asia: RTL CBS Extreme HD

United Kingdom

FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in 495 Productions

Belgium / Luxembourg

Télévie gathersstrong support

Luxembourg

Have a good idea for a TV show?

France

Laurent Ruquierwill host Les Grosses Têtes

week 13 / 27 March 2014

TO THE EXTREME...Launch of the second pay-TV channel in Asia: RTL CBS Extreme HD

United Kingdom

FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in 495 Productions

Belgium / Luxembourg

Télévie gathersstrong support

Luxembourg

Have a good idea for a TV show?

France

Laurent Ruquierwill host Les Grosses Têtes

CoverMontage with screenshots from

RTL CBS Extreme HD

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

“We have defi nitely delivered on our goals”RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Networkp. 4–6

Big Picturep.13

SHORTNEWS

p. 14

Laurent Ruquier will host

Les Grosses TêtesRTL Radio

p.9

Télévie gathers strong support

RTL Belgium / RTL Lëtzebuerg /

RTL Groupp.10–11

Have a good idea for a TV show?

RTL Télé Lëtzebuergp.12

FremantleMedia acquires majority stake in 495 ProductionsFremantleMediap.7–8

PEOPLE

p.15

4

Jonas Engwall, CEO of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network

“WE HAVE DEFINITELY

DELIVERED ON OUR GOALS”

Asia – 27 March 2014

RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network

On 27 March, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network launches

its second channel, RTL CBS Extreme HD.

Backstage spoke to Jonas Engwall, CEO

of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network,

about the project.

5

When RTL Group and CBS Studios International announced their partnership in August 2013, two of the world’s largest content producers joined forces: RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, and CBS Studios International, the leading supplier of programming to the international mar-ketplace. RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network set out to launch two channels for eight key markets in South East Asia; the fi rst was on air within a month: RTL CBS Entertainment HD. Now, the second channel is set to follow: RTL CBS Extreme HD.

Andreas Rudas, Executive Vice President Regional Operations & Business Development CEE and Asia, says: “The launch of RTL CBS Extreme is another important step to extend our footprint in the fast growing Asian markets. With its male-skewed, action-packed programming we will create an unprecedented offering that is unique in South East Asia. Launching just a few months after we announced our partnership also underlines the excellent and successful collaboration with our partner CBS Studios International.”

Jonas Engwall, CEO of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, explains: “It’s been a few months since our fi rst channel launched. During this time, we have collected feedback from our distribution partners and viewers, and it is very promising. We have defi nitely delivered on our goals and our partners are very happy with the channel’s content and positioning.”

RTL CBS Entertainment HD was created from scratch, based on highly popular shows by both RTL Group and CBS Studios International. It has been on air in Thailand, Malaysia, Singaporeand the Philippines since autumn 2013. “In thebeginning, our distribution partners were not familiarwith the RTL brand,” explains Jonas Engwall. “And we were selling something that was not yet launched, which further complicates the sales process. Given this background, I am even happier that we have been so successful so far.”

Male-skewed programming“This time, our partners already know what to expect from us and our content,” says Engwall. “It is a general entertainment channel, but with a clear male appeal. We’ve done our homework. The channel is a little bit like the TV version of a men’s magazine. We offer a little bit of everything, all of it with appeal for a male audience. RTL CBS Extreme’s unique channel positioning and compelling mix of action series, extreme sports, action reality programmes and masters of illusion is a very strong programming proposition for our target audience.”

RTL CBS Extreme HD will feature premieres and exclusive titles such as Dynamo: Magician Impossible, Red Bull Art of Motion, Red Bull Cliptomaniacs, and Red Bull Air Races. The channel will also bring, fi rst and exclusive, the new series Criss Angel Believe beginning in June, and will be home to master illusionists Troy and the International Magician of the Year 2013, Cosentino, along with Fear Factor and earlier seasons of favourite action series from CBS such as NCIS: Los Angeles and Hawaii Five-O.

The channel mainly targets male viewers aged 25 years and older, but also caters to viewers of both sexes aged 18 to 49. The channel will be in English and feature subtitles in local languages including Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Thai.

Next >

Dynamo: Magician Impossible

Hawaii Five-O

6

DistributionThe fi rst distribution partner announced to carry RTL CBS Extreme HD will be Singtel in Singapore. The male-skewed channel will be available in their Singtel Mio TV package, reaching more than 400,000 households. But that’s not all, as Engwall points out: “For the launch, we’ve secured all service providers who already carry RTL CBS Entertainment HD to also carry RTL CBS Extreme HD. This shows that our offer is accepted in the market and underlines our good relationships with our partners in South East Asia.” End of March, RTL CBS Extreme HD will be available on Singtel Mio TV in Singapore and via Hypp TV in Malaysia. In April, Thailand and the Philippines will follow.

Jonas Engwall concludes: “We are very happy withthe current development and we foresee our channels being available in more South East Asian countries very soon. As we announced in August 2013, our eight key territories together have a potential of 113 million TV households.”

Criss Angel Believe – Exclusive – Asia Premiere

It’s magic! Criss Angel Believe is the new series that will take viewers inside Criss Angel’s world like never before – to truly see the method to his magic. For the first time, in each episode viewers get a behind-the-scenes look at how Criss

and his team of experts craft his mind-blowing illusions. They do whatever it takes to

reconfirm that Criss is the greatest magician of all time.

Red Bull Cliptomaniacs – Exclusive – Asia Premiere

Professional snowboarders and self-proclaimed free sports junkies Tim Warwood and Adam Gendle present audacious sports and action

footage. Each show covers a variety of topics, from legendary athletes to

the comical side of sports.

Red Bull Air Race – Exclusive– Asia Premiere

The Red Bull Air Race World Championship features the world’s best pilots in a motorsports competition based on speed, precision and skill. Pilots are challenged to complete the demanding course within the fastest possible time and by performing certain extremely

difficult manoeuvers. This is the Formula One of the skies and only the bravest dare

enter the competition.

7

On 26 March 2014, RTL Group’s global production arm announced that it had signed a deal to acquire a majority stake in the leading US-based production company, 495 Productions.United Kingdom – 27 March 2013

Under the terms of the deal, FremantleMedia will hold a 75 per cent stake, with the opportunity to acquire the remaining shareholding in the future. This acquisition adds another of the strongest and most prolifi c US production companies into FremantleMedia’s increasingly diverse group of North American holdings, alongside its subsidiary FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) and earlier acquisition Original Productions.

495 Productions developed and produced the series Jersey Shore, which went on to become MTV’s highest-rated show in its history and a global hit with multiple spin-offs. Other ground-breaking productions include Spike TV’s Tattoo Nightmares and MTV’s dating show Friendzone.

Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO FremantleMedia, comments: “495 Productions is undeniably one of the US’s leading reality production companies, with a unique approach to formatted character-driven reality shows which have proved compelling TV in the US and around the world. This deal will allow us to expand our share of the valuable US cable market and will complement and diversify our existing portfolio of content and clients. Together, our ambition is to continue to grow 495 Productions in the US and to broaden its global footprint even further through our extensive distribution and production network.”

Thom Beers, CEO FremantleMedia North America, adds: “SallyAnn is a brilliant leader, an unstoppable creative force and one of the most successful producers in the entertainment industry. Since founding the business 2006, she and the talented creative team at 495 Productions have built the company into a powerhouse responsible for some of the most watched and talked-about programming on TV at the moment. This is a key strategic acquisition for FMNA which, with both Original Productions and 495 Productions in the fold, now commands a best-in-class production slate across all family, male and female demos, and for network, cable and syndication platforms.”

FREMANTLEMEDIA ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN 495 PRODUCTIONS

FremantleMedia

Next >

8

SallyAnn Salsano, 495 Productions founder, comments: “This is a huge moment for me and the entire team at 495. That said, the decision of who to partner with and where to make my new home was easy because of my long term relationships with both Cecile and Thom. They know me, they understand how I run my business and they appreciate the way I produce my shows. I started this company with nothing in 2006 and this is proof that if you love what you do, work your ass off and want it bad enough someone will notice and it will pay off.”

ABOUT 495 PRODUCTIONS

Founded in 2006 by Sally Ann Salsano, one of the preeminent US entertainment producers and creators, 495 Productions is a formidable hit factory specializing in riveting unscripted character-driven reality series with colourful personalities at their heart. 495 has enjoyed great success in the US with shows airing across major broadcast and cable networks including a long-standing relationship with MTV and other Viacom channels such as Spike, CMT and VH1 and more recently with Fox, TLC, SyFy, Oxygen, National Geographic, TV Guide, A&E and History Channel.

SallyAnn Salsano

9

At the end of summer, Laurent Ruquier steps in to take the helm of Les Grosses Têtes, which has achieved cult status on RTL Radio in France. Philippe Bouvard, who has presented the show for 40 years, will be back on the air with a new project.France – 21 March 2014

“RTL owes much to Philippe Bouvard, who not only created Les Grosses Têtes but has also worked tirelessly to maintain the show’s exceptionally high quality and audience,” said Christopher Baldelli, CEO of RTL Group’s French radio stations, in a press release. “It is now my responsibility to ensure the future of Les Grosses Têtes and to put in place someone to host this emblematic programme for the next 40 years.”

After 15 years of fi ne and loyal service, Laurent Ruquier leaves general-interest radio station Europe 1, where since 1999 he has hosted On va s’gêner – a daily programme with a strong audience that features a team of columnists commenting on events in the news. Since 2006, Laurent Ruquier has also hosted the Saturday night talk show On est pas couché on France 2.

“Laurent Ruquier has all the necessary attributes: his talent is widely recognised and, with his humour and intelligence, he will completely enter into the spirit of Les Grosses Têtes,” adds Baldelli.

Philippe Bouvard will continue his collaboration with RTL at the end of summer with a new programme that is currently in its initial stages.

LAURENT RUQUIER WILL HOST LES GROSSES TÊTES

RTL Radio

Philippe Bouvard © Elodie Gregoire RTL

Laurent Ruquier

10

As Télévie 2014’s closing gala draws near, the number of front-line initiatives is multiplying in Belgium and Luxembourg. To help further research into cancer and leukaemia, the staff members of RTL Belgium and RTL Lëtzebuerg are actively involved, notably by broadcasting the event live on air. Belgium / Luxembourg – 24 March 2014

26th edition of Télévie in BelgiumIt is true that Belgium puts its heart and soul into supporting Télévie. “The outpouring of generosity that has never lagged since 1989 is the result of telephone pledges, more than 700 events held during the year throughout French-speaking Belgium, the support of commercial sponsors and the thousands of volunteers as well as teams from RTL Belgium who have rallied to the cause,” said Philippe Delusinne, CEO of RTL Belgium, at the Télévie 2014 press conference.

This year again, teams from RTL Belgium have organised a major event in Liège on 21 April, the Grand Rallye du Télévie. This not-to-be-missed event will run all day long and feature automobile exhibits, motorcycle rides and concerts to please everyone, along with sporting and family activities. All of the money collected through the various activities will be handed over to Télévie. Many personalities from RTL Belgium’s channels will lend a hand by volunteering at the event, which attracted more than 25,000 participants in 2013.

A few days later, on 26 April, the Grande journée de clôture du Télévie will be orchestrated by the hosts and journalists of RTL Belgium. The morning will begin with the traditional programme Les disques d’Or (starting at 9:30), airing live from the Bel RTL studios. The general public’s favourite recording artists will auction off their gold records,

TÉLÉVIE GATHERS STRONG SUPPORT RTL Belgium / RTL Lëtzebuerg / RTL Group

Rehearsals - Télévie 2013 © RTL

DATES NOT TO BE MISSED

Télévie Challenge (RTL Group) 28 March

Dîner RTL-Télévie (RTL Lëtzebuerg)

4 April

Grand Rallye du Télévie (RTL Belgium)

21 April

Télévie Challenge on Tour (RTL Group)

26 April

Grande Soirée de Clôture (RTL Belgium / RTL Lëtzebuerg)

26 April

For more information, visit the websites:

RTL.be/Televie Televie.Rtl.lu

Next >

11

with the proceeds going to fund research. The day will continue with Les amis du Télévie (13:40 – 18:00) on RTL. During this show, the thousands of volunteers who have organised fundraising activities for Télévie throughout the year will hand over their cheques live on the volunteers’ stage.

The high point will be 26 April, with the Grande soirée du Télévie (starting at 19:40), broadcasting live from the grand studio at RTL House and airing on RTL-TVI, Bel RTL and RTL.be. Arsène Burny, president of the Commission Télévie FNRS along with hosts and journalists from RTL will be joined by many personalities and people providing testimonials. Télévie continues to benefi t from its loyal performing artists, including Nolwenn Leroy, who is the campaign’s patron this year. The cheque for the 2014 campaign will be handed over on behalf of all the volunteers at the end of the show.

Last but not least, RTL Belgium will have special programming to rally audiences during events, appeal for donations and provide information on cancer.

12th edition of Télévie in LuxembourgMobilisation in support of Télévie is also highly visible in Luxembourg, where many fundraising activities are held in a variety of places throughout the year.

In this fi nal phase, the staff of RTL Group will play an active role in supporting Télévie. As an example, presenters and hosts from RTL Télé and Radio Lëtzebuerg will serve dinner at the Dîner RTL-Télévie on the evening of 4 April 2014 on board the MS River Diva boat in Remich. As it is every year, all the money collected for the meals bought by guests will be handed over to Télévie.

At the headquarters, many employees will lend their support during the Télévie Challenge – an indoor cycling event to be held on 28 March. For each kilometre cycled, RTL Group will make a €5 donation to Télévie.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Télévie Challenge, the headquarters will hold a special event this year: the Télévie Challenge on Tour. On Saturday, 26 April 2014, all of the volunteer cyclists will be invited to ride a circuit of the pledge centres that have been set up in Luxembourg. For each kilometre cycled, the company will make a 1-euro donation to Télévie.

In Luxembourg and Belgium, the 2014 campaign will end on 26 April. There will be a special day in Rodange to end the fundraising on a festive note. A variety of activities will be organised throughout the day on the site. In the evening, RTL Lëtzebuerg will present a special programme on stage, during which the volunteers will hand over their cheques. The channel will also fi lm the volunteers in the pledge centres in Luxembourg. During the show, people can pledge donations to Télévie. The evening will end with the handing over of the cheque for the Grand Duchy.

Dîner RTL-Télévie 2013 © RTL

Télévie Challenge 2013 © RTL

TÉLÉVIE IN BRIEFTélévie is a fundraising campaign organised each year by the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS) in partnership with RTLIn 2013, more than EUR 8.7 million was collectedEach year, 110 research projects are financed as a result of the campaign Since the start of the operation, more than EUR 133 million has been collected

TO HELP TÉLÉVIEMake a donation: Fondation Kiwanis (CCPL LU88 1111 1970 0090 000, mention: Télévie)Participate in upcoming Télévie events

12

In collaboration with Film Fund Luxembourg, RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg has launched an appeal for ideas for a new television format that will be part of its programme schedule starting in September 2014. Luxembourg – 26 March 2014

It is the fi rst appeal for multiple-genre television projects in Luxembourg. “The Luxembourgish audiovisual sector has grown signifi cantly in the past few years, with the emergence of young creative talent that is just waiting to express itself,” says Steve Schmit, Programme Director at RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg.

The appeal is addressed to producers, directors, scriptwriters and other professionals in the audiovisual sector in the Grand Duchy. The desired formats (3 to 52 minutes in length) are restricted to fi ction, animation and documentary.

A committee of representatives from RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg and Film Fund Luxembourg will meet to select the project that will be put into production based on its original concept.

HAVE A GOOD IDEA FOR A TV SHOW?RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg

Comeback – sitcom produced with the support of RTL Lëtzebuerg and Film Fund Luxembourg and broadcast on RTL in 2012

CANDIDATES HAVE UNTIL 1 MAY TO SUBMIT THEIR FILE, WHICH SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

a suggested name

the description of the concept

an estimate of production requirements

a provisional budget

Groupe M6 – the most attractive employer In the fi fth edition of the Randstad Awards, which reward the best French companies in terms of being an attractive employer, Groupe M6 won fi rst place in the Media category. The ceremony took place on 20 March, 2014 in Paris. Photographed are Jérome Lefébure (right), Chief Financial Offi cer of Groupe M6, together with Mickaël Hoffmann-Hervé, General Manager of Human Resources at Groupe Randstad France.

14

Politically correctRTL-TVI

Two months before the parliamentary elections in Belgium, RTL-TVI launches ‘Politiquement Correct’ – a new sequence in the Sunday 19:00 news, where Martin Buxant presents and analyses the political news.Belgium – 21 March 2014

Wentworth hype builds for season two FremantleMedia Australia

In the lead-up to the hotly anticipated second season, FremantleMedia Australia’s hit prison drama series, Wentworth, was crowned Most Outstanding Australian Drama at the 2014 Astra Awards.Australia – 24 March 2014

Golden Moustache rakes in Web Comedy awardsGroupe M6

During the fi rst Web Comedy Awards, which honour the best of the web comic, several Golden Moustache comedians were rewarded. The best short format was given to Julien Josselin (aka Julfou), while Norman, Cyprien Gaillard and Remi were also awarded.France – 25 March 2014

Fundación Atresmedia: CR leader in SpainAtresmedia

Atresmedia’s CR organisation leads the Spanish ranking on CR transparency for the third consecutive year.Spain – 25 March 2014

Family Feud lands in HungaryRTL Klub

The Hungarian version of Family Feud has launched on RTL Klub. From its fi rst week, it was among the top fi ve most-watched programmes, currently attracting on average 23.1 per cent of the target group aged 18 to 49.Hungary – 26 March 2014

SHORT NEWS 1/1

15

PEOPLE

THOMASFOLLIN

M6 WebFrance – 25 March 2014

Thomas Follin has been named Deputy Managing Director of M6 Web in charge of New Media Channels, effective immediately.

In his new role, Thomas Follin has a mandate to develop and manage the Groupe M6’s television activities in new media and thus contribute to the digital innovation and success of the channels and programmes.

Thomas Follin joined the Group in 2002, where he worked in strategic development. In 2008 he joined M6 Web to take charge of the channel websites and VOD. He notably developed and managed all the digital services that currently make up 6play on all screens: replay, live and connect, as well as the channel and programme web sites.

Thomas Follin holds a DESS / MASTER 2 degree in Telecommunications and New Media from Université Paris Dauphine. He acquired this after earning a Master’s degree in Management Science (MSG), specialty Finance, from the same university.

Thomas Follin

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