RTL Group Stock

RTL Group SA, an entertainment network, through its subsidiaries, operates television channels and radio stations in Europe. The company is a subsidiary of Bertelsmann AG.

Segments

The company’s segments include Television, Content, and Radio.

Television

This segment owns interests in 45 television channels in 11 European countries. It provides a range of technical services covering broadcasting and transmission, as well as production and post-production services. The company’s television portfolio includes RTL Television in Germany, M6 in France, RTL 4 in the Netherlands, RTL-TVI in Belgium, and the young Five family in the United Kingdom. It also has broadcasting operations in Greece (Alpha Media Group), Hungary (RTL Klub), Russia (Ren TV), and Croatia (RTL Televizija).

Content

This segment produces programs for television covering a range of genres ranging from action adventure and science fiction to game shows and drama series, situation comedies, and sports. This segment is divided into two parts: production and distribution. Production comprises the production of original programmes for broadcasters; and distribution comprises the distribution of programme rights made by RTL Group or acquired/licensed from third-party producers.

Radio

This segment owns interests in 32 radio stations in 7 countries. It operates RTL, a principal radio station in France; 2 music stations, comprising RTL 2 and Fun Radio in France; and various radio holdings in other European countries.

Acquisitions

In December 2008, the company acquired a 66.6 per cent of Alpha Media Group, which includes the Greek national TV channel Alpha TV, the regional TV channel Kanali 9 Thessaloniki, the radio stations Alpha 98.9 and Palmos 96.5 and Plus Productions, Alpha TV’s in-house production company.

In April 2008, the company acquired 100 per cent of Cyrealis Group. The main activities of Cyrealis include three editorial Web sites Clubic.com (high technology), Jeuxvideo.fr (video games), and Neteco.com (e-business) plus Achetezfacile.com, a price comparison site.

In November 2008, the company acquired the remaining 51 per cent of the share of the company, Lemonline Ltd.

In February 2008, the company acquired 100 per cent of Hugo Films SAS, a French film production company.

Dispositions

In August 2008, the company exited from its German teleshopping activities through the sale of RTL Shop to Aurelius.

History

RTL Group SA was founded in 1991.