week 12 / 19 March 2015

AN AUSTRALIAN ICON

How FremantleMedia Australia’s daily soap won the hearts of millions of viewers over three decades

Luxembourg Guillaume de Posch delivers keynote speech at the Cable Congress

Luxembourg RTL Group named ‘Luxembourg’s most attractive Employer’

Croatia RTL Hrvatska launches three new pay channels

week 12 / 19 March 2015

AN AUSTRALIAN ICON

How FremantleMedia Australia’s daily soap won the hearts of millions of viewers over three decades

Luxembourg Guillaume de Posch delivers keynote speech at the Cable Congress

Luxembourg RTL Group named ‘Luxembourg’s most attractive Employer’

Croatia RTL Hrvatska launches three new pay channels

Cover Neighbours 30 years

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

“One of the most iconic programmes ever to be produced in Australia” FremantleMedia Australia p.4–9

Big Picturep.15

SHORTNEWS

p.16–17

“We have the content;

you have the distribution pipeline”

RTL Groupp.10–11

RTL Group once again ‘Luxembourg’s

Most Attractive Employer’ RTL Group

p.12

Crime, Passion and Living enrich RTL Group’s family

of channels in Croatia RTL Hrvatska

p.13

An enriched listening experience, thanks to

‘Shazam for Radio’ IP France

p.14

PEOPLE

p.18

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“ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC PROGRAMMES

EVER TO BE PRODUCED IN AUSTRALIA”

Australia – 18 March 2015

FremantleMedia Australia

On 18 March 2015, the FremantleMedia Australia

(FMA) production Neighbours turned 30. Backstage looks back at the success of this

long-running soap.

To commemorate the show’s 30th anniversary the series brings together past and present Ramsay Street residents as part of a special two-week storyline

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Neighbours is a daily soap that portrays the lives of people living and working in Erinsborough, a fictional suburb of Melbourne. The story focuses on the residents of Ramsay Street, who are seen dealing with the challenges and trials that ordinary people face every day. The series is a perfect blend of fiction and reality, and has become part of viewers’ daily routine in Australia and beyond.

Since Neighbours was first broadcast in 1985 the show has sold internationally and is currently watched by millions of viewers every day in such diverse markets as Barbados, Norway and Belgium, as well as in the UK and, more recently, the USA. The 30th anniversary of Neighbours will be the 7,083rd episode of the series, making it the longest-running Australian drama and one of the most successful Australian television exports in history.

Ian Hogg, CEO FremantleMedia Australia and Asia Pacific, says: “This is the only chance we will have in our lifetime to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of one of our programmes. It is a milestone of great importance and historical significance. Neighbours’ international success and ability to create superstars makes it one of the most iconic programmes ever to be produced in Australia. Sincere congratulations to our incredibly hardworking crew who continue to evolve and grow Neighbours.”

Neighbours has launched the careers of global stars including singers Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Delta Goodrem, Natalie Imbruglia and Holly Valance, as well as Hollywood actors such as Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce. A number of international stars have dropped by to make cameo appearances too, including Baby Spice, Paula Abdul, Lily Allen, The Wombats and Shane Warne.

Next >

WORD ON THE RAMSAY STREET...

Ramsay Street is set to entertain and surprise. To commemorate the show’s 30th anniversary the series brings together past and present Ramsay Street residents as part of a special two-week storyline. Fans can look forward to some dramatic surprises, as well as a feast of nostalgia.

Ian Hogg, CEO FremantleMedia Australia and Asia Pacific

Jason Donovan and Russel Crowe (right), in Neighbours

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Next >

NEIGHBOURS MAKES ITS STAMP ON AUSTRALIAN HISTORY

To mark the occasion, FMA’s Media and Brand Licensing division has collaborated with Australia Post and has released a special commemorative stamp pack featuring some of the most popular characters from the show. You can order the stamps here.

Get involved and Tweet #Neighbours30@NeighboursTV

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30 YEARS / 30 FACTS PAGE 1 OF 2

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Neighbours 30th anniversary is celebrated on 18 March 2015 and will be the 7,083rd episode

Approximately 28,000 cast and crew have worked on Neighbours in three decades

There have been fifteen births on Neighbours, 34 deaths and 41 marriages

Neighbours has filmed outside of Melbourne on five occasions – twice each in London and Sydney and once in Port Douglas, Queensland

Scott and Charlene’s wedding (Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue) was viewed by 19.6 million in the UK and a turning point for the nightly show

Stefan left Neighbours in 1993 and returned in 2004. Paul Robinson is the longest running character on Australian television

Erinsborough is an anagram of Neighbours

Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) is the only actor remaining who appeared in the first episode

In 2013, three backyards for number 22, 25 and 32 houses were built on the show’s back lot making it the largest dedicated drama set in the Southern Hemisphere

Neighbours has launched the careers of global stars including Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Jason Donovan, Delta Goodrem, Margot Robbie, Jesse Spencer, Natalie Imbruglia and Holly Valance

Ramsay Street is an actual residential street called Pin Oak Court in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The producers wanted a street that featured houses was typical of the 1980s era when the series launched

It takes six months from plotting the story line, filming, editing and airing an episode

The show was watched by approximately 21 million viewers in Australia andthe UK during 2014

There are approximately 3,320 pieces of clothing in the costume department

It would take approximately 147 days to watch all the Neighbours episodes back to back

30 YEARS / 30 FACTS PAGE 2 OF 2

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Five regular cast members (current & past) have played multiple characters: Alan Fletcher – two, Scott Major – two, Brett Tucker – three, Tim Phillips – two and Colette Mann – two

Paul Robinson is the most ‘married’ character with five former wives

Neighbours is filmed in the same studios as Prisoner Cell Block H and the bricks used on the Bishop’s house are recycled cell walls

Jason Donovan (Scott Robinson) is the son of Terrance Donovan (Doug Willis)

Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) in real life, is actually Dame Judi Dench’s cousin

Ian Smith (Harold Bishop) is a massive Leeds United FC fan

Holly Valance’s sister is now in Neighbours as Paige

Collette Mann (Sheila Canning) starred in the original Prisoner Cell Block H

Tom Oliver (Lou Carpenter) was born in Hampshire, UK

Josh Willis is Steph Scully’s son in real life They may be twins on the

show, but in real life, Josh and Imogen (Harley and Ariel) are dating

Amber and Kyle are a couple in real life

Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy) and Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Neighbours’ longest running married couple, played brother and sister in a police series called Cop Shop in the 1980s

Harold’s Store was previously called – Daphnes (1986-1993), Hungry Bite Café (1993-1995), The Holy Roll (1995-1997), The Coffee Shop (1997-2005), Bishop & Carpenter’s General Store (2005-2008) and was renamed Harold’s Store in 2008 in honour of Harold Bishop leaving Erinsborough

Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy) has filmed more episodes than any other actress on Neighbours – close to 5,000

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MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT Ramsay Street has been hit by tornados, murders, ghosts and bush fires over the last 30 years – but ask any die-hard Neighbours fan for their favourite episode and there is one moment guaranteed to come up again and again: Scott and Charlene’s wedding. Broadcast in 1987, episode 523 saw the two popular characters played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, tie the knot in what was the equivalent of a royal wedding for the show’s viewers. In Australia the episode was watched by two million viewers, making it one of the highest-rating soap opera episodes, while in the UK, over 19 million fans tuned in to watch the happy event.

Happy 30th Birthday, Neighbours!To mark the occasion, FremantleMedia hosted a celebratory event on 17 March 2015 in London, at which Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia, was joined by a number of special guests, including the Australian High Commissioner to the UK, the Honourable Alexander Downer AC, and Neighbours cast members Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), Anne Charleston (Madge Bishop), Olympia Valance (Paige Smith) and Tim Phillipps (Daniel Robinson).

Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue (right)

Happy 30th Birthday, Neighbours !

Left to right (excluding showgirls and people holding the cake): Honourable Alexander Downer AC, Australian High Commissioner, Neighbours cast members Stefan Dennis, Anne Charleston, Olympia Valance, Tim Phillipps, Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia and Ben Frow, Director of Programmes at Channel 5

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On 11 March 2015, Guillaume de Posch, Co-CEO of RTL Group, delivered a keynote speech at the Cable Congress 2015 in Brussels. Organised by Cable Europe, the first day of the event was attended by around 500 representatives from the cable, IT and TV industries. Luxembourg – 13 March 2015

Under the title “The transformation of the TV industry”, de Posch analysed the challenges and opportunities faced by the TV industry in today’s digital era. After a short presentation of RTL Group’s business model, the Co-CEO set the tone of his presentation by saying: “Cable operators and commercial broadcasters: we’ve grown up together.”

He went on to depict the complexity of the TV business by explaining that there are now more channels, which has resulted in a highly fragmented media landscape; more distributors,

such as Amazon and Netflix, which has increased competition; and more devices to watch content on.

RTL Group’s Co-CEO identified three major shifts in free-to-air broadcasters’ business models: from broad to niche, from linear to non-linear TV and from purely ad-funded to additional monetisation models. As far as the broad and niche shift is concerned, de Posch mentioned that RTL Group’s response has been the launch of new channels on cable and other networks, as well as the creation of catch-up TV platforms by RTL Group broadcasters. Addressing the topic of linear and non-linear viewing, de Posch emphasised that “TV consumption is remarkably stable.” Highlighting TV viewing consumption in RTL Group’s core markets, he added that non-linear viewing was bound to increase.

“WE HAVE THE CONTENT; YOU HAVE THE DISTRIBUTION PIPELINE”

RTL Group

Next >

Guillaume de Posch at the Cable Congress 2015: “Cable operators and commercial broadcasters: we have grown up together”

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RTL Group’s robust response to the rise of non-linear television is that in the last three years, “we have heavily invested in multi-channel networks.” Under this topic, he also pointed out that RTL Group has expanded its footprint in North America through key digital investments such as BroadbandTV, StyleHaul and SpotXchange. After analysing RTL Group’s catch-up TV and SVOD offers in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, he highlighted that data-driven approaches are crucial to unlocking the full value of viewers. In this context, he identified further potential for collaboration with cable operators, as broadcasters have relationships with advertisers, premium content and technology in place to sell programmatically, while cable companies have relationships with customers, profiles based on geographical, demographic and behavioural data and the ability to insert dynamic advertising.

As far as additional monetisation models are concerned, de Posch highlighted that RTL Group has recently invested in SpotXchange, a worldwide leading programmatic platform, and outlined its business model. Concluding his speech, de Posch identified four areas of existing and potential collaboration between broadcasters and cable operators. The first area pertains to linear free-to-air TV: “We have the linear TV signal and content; you have the distribution pipeline.” The second area involves opportunities presented in the linear pay-TV field by the fact that broadcasters have the know-how to create new channels and brands, while cable operators have the ability to market and opportunities to upsell. The third field focuses on non-linear TV and the need to defend the core businesses, while final area of potential collaboration pertains to targeted advertising and opportunities to develop additional business.

We can create together – we aim at win-win collaborations

We can create together – we aim at win-win collaborations

We have… You have … Together …

Linear Free-TV

… the linear TV signal (SD/HD) and content

... the distribution pipeline and household access

… we collaborate on fair terms

Non-linear TV … the VOD rights and digital brands across platforms

… the aggregation platform and consumer relationship

… we should be strong defending our core business

Linear Pay-TV

… the know-how to create new channels and brands

… the ability to market and upsell opportunities

… we can build additional business

Targeted advertising

… worldwide programmatic exchange

… consumer data on managed platforms

… we can build additional business

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For the second year in a row, RTL Group has been voted ‘most attractive employer’ in the Greater Region of Luxembourg, according to the 2015 Randstad Awards survey. The prize giving ceremony took place on 12 March 2015 at Neumünster Abbey in Luxembourg.Luxembourg – 16 March 2015

For the award, the 30 largest private companies in Luxembourg were surveyed in an employer branding study that was conducted by independent research company ICMA.

RTL Group emerged once again as the most attractive employer in the region, closely followed by Luxair and Banque de Luxembourg.

Jean-Pierre Mullenders, Managing Director of Randstad Luxembourg, who presented the results of this year’s

Randstad Award, explains: “The Group’s excellent reputation in the media business together with its strong local presence and dynamic and professional working environment have clearly contributed to securing the first place in the list as most attractive employer in the Greater Region.” Romain Mannelli, Executive Vice President Human Resources at RTL Group, says: “We are extremely honoured to be recognised as the most attractive employer for the second consecutive year. The award is a reflection of ten years of fostering a valuable corporate culture as well as a pleasant and stimulating working environment. In today’s highly competitive job market, we are continually challenged to bringing top talent on board. Our employees are an essential element in building a recognised employer brand.”

The online survey was carried out with a panel of 1,000 people aged between 18 to 65, who were asked to evaluate the relative attractiveness of each of the selected companies on a series of criteria such as salary and employee benefits, long-term job security, a pleasant working atmosphere, a good work-life balance or career progression opportunities to name but a few.

It was the second time in the 20-year history of the Randstad Award that Luxembourg took part in the online survey, which is conducted in 23 countries.

RTL GROUP ONCE AGAIN ‘LUXEMBOURG’S MOST ATTRACTIVE EMPLOYER’

RTL Group

From left to right: Romain Mannelli, Executive Vice President Human Resources of RTL Group, Esther Pierard, Senior Manager HR Communications & Event Services, Health & Well-being of RTL Group and Jean-Pierre Mullenders, Managing Director of Randstad Luxembourg

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On 12 March 2015, three new members were added to RTL Group’s family of channels in Croatia: RTL Passion, RTL Crime and RTL Living. The new channels are available as part of cable and IPTV packages. Croatia – 16 March 2015

RTL Hrvatska now operates three free-to-air and three pay-TV channels, more than any competitor on the Croatian market. Croatia’s first IPTV channel, RTL Plus, founded in 2008, has been transformed into three channels: Passion, Crime and Living. Channels are available within more than 90 per cent of cable and IPTV operators, namely VIP net, Bnet, Max TV, Iskon, Optima Telekom, Amis and H 1 Telekom. The newly launched channels aim to bring passion, romance and mystery to Croatian viewers. Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland kindly provided the channels’ visual graphics.

RTL Passion will offer the best Croatian and international drama series and soaps. Sulejman Velicanstveni (The Magnificent Century), the incredible story of the love between the Ottoman Empire’s greatest sultan and his slave girl, and Divlja ruza (Rosa Salvaje), one of the best known and most popular Latin American telenovelas in Croatia, are just two of many series.

RTL Living combines the best RTL family-oriented local productions (321 – Cook, Farmer Wants A Wife) and top international lifestyle shows, talk-variety programmes and reality television series like Ellen de Generes, Property Brothers and Undercover Boss. The latest interior design trends, lifestyle advice, stories about the lives of celebrities and ordinary people alike, and the little secrets of great chefs form just part of RTL Living’s programme line-up.

RTL Crime will offer the best of crime content in Croatia with blockbusters like The Shield, OZ and the complete CSI franchise.

CRIME, PASSION AND LIVING ENRICH RTL GROUP’S FAMILY OF CHANNELS IN CROATIA

RTL Hrvatska

CEO of RTL Hrvatska Henning Tewes pressing the red button to mark the launch of the new channels

The new family of channels in Croatia

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IP France, which manages advertising sales for RTL Group’s radio activities in France, is launching an innovative new interactive, cross-media advertising platform using Shazam technology whose impact can be measured immediately.France – 19 March 2015

Every day, 12 million listeners tune in to the French radio stations RTL, RTL2 and Fun Radio, and their advertising sales house is now teaming up with Mobile Network Group (MNG), Shazam’s exclusive distributor in France, to develop the interactivity of radio ads with the help of the sound recognition app used by 8.5 million French users every month.

After a teaser lasting a few seconds, listeners are invited to use their mobile app to ‘shazam’ ads for free. They are then redirected to exclusive content and services, like mini-sites, discount coupons, competitions, geolocation services and social networks.

The ‘Shazam for Radio’ advertising platform is being marketed by IP France, which will take charge of producing the radio ad and managing relations with Mobile Network Group (MNG). Shazam will encrypt the ads and develop the mini-site that redirects listeners.

AN ENRICHED LISTENING EXPERIENCE, THANKS TO ‘SHAZAM FOR RADIO’

IP France

From classic Viennese waltzes to fiery sambas – who’s got the rhythm? On 13 March 2015, RTL Television set out to find the year’s most talented dance celebrity in season eight of Let’s Dance. Soccer player and show candidate Hans Sarpei surprised the judges with his swinging hips and earned 21 points out of 30 points for his cha-cha with professional Latin & Standard dancer Kathrin Menzinger. 18.4 per cent of the total audience, and 20.3 per cent of shoppers aged 14 to 59 tuned in to watch the new season’s premiere.

© R

TL /

Ste

fan

Gre

goro

wiu

sLet’s Dance again, finally

Click or scan to watch the cha-cha

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‘Prisoners’ have been awarded FremantleMedia Australia FremantleMedia Australia’s hit prison drama Wentworth has been named Most Outstanding Australian Drama at the 2015 Astra Awards for the second year running. Actress Danielle Cormack also picked up the award for Most Outstanding Performance.Australia – 16 March 2015

Exceptional industry figures FremantleMedia MipTV has unveiled its Medaille d’Honneur recipients for 2015, and FremantleMedia CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz is among the four entertainment executives to receive the award. Award recognises execs making a significant contribution to the world of television. United Kingdom – 17 March 2015

Honouring a career Groupe M6 On 11 March 2015, French President François Hollande named Bibiane Godfroid, Director General of Productions at Groupe M6, a chevalier of the order of the Légion d’Honneur in recognition for her achievements throughout her career.France – 17 March 2015

Asia’s Got Talent kick-off smashes ratingsFremantleMedia Asia Asia’s Got Talent’s premiere on AXN on 12 March 2015 collectively topped ratings among English pay-TV channels in Southeast Asia. During the show’s two hour debut, AXN delivered more than ten times the ratings of the next English general entertainment channel across Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines. In Taiwan, Asia’s Got Talent premiered on 13 March 2015 and was the top programme of the day amongst the international general entertainment channels. Singapore – 17 March 2015

SHORT NEWS 1/2

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Grand Prix RTL-Lire 2015 RTL Radio (France) On 16 March 2015, RTL Radio announced that Léonor de Recondo’s book, Amours is the winner of the 2015 Grand Prix RTL-Lire. The author chose the rarefied setting of a wealthy household at the beginning of the twentieth century to give free rein to the purest – and most unexpected – expressions of love.France – 17 March 2015

In search of long-lost families M6 The documentary magazine show Recherche dans l’intérêt des familles premiered on M6 on 18 March 2015. The programme, which is presented by Adriana Karembeu and journalist Patrick Spica, is often the last resort for people who want to find a member of their family they have been trying to track down in vain, for years.France – 18 March 2015

Expanding its international footprint Atresmedia Atresmedia has announced that it now reaches 30 million households worldwide through its international channels Antena 3 Internacional, Atres Series and Hola TV, the latter as a joint venture with the magazine Hola. Spain – 18 March 2015

Monkeying around for charity RTL Television As part of his TV project, RTL Television reporter Jenke von Wilmsdorff made a successful appeal for people to download new organ donor cards and has now reached the magic number of 100,000. Germany – 19 March 2015

SHORT NEWS 2/2

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PEOPLE

FREMANTLEMEDIA INTERNATIONAL SHAPES ITS SENIOR TEAM

FremantleMedia International United Kingdom – 19 March 2015

Richter has also implemented changes within the global sales force, promoting Singapore-based, Haryaty Rahman to SVP, Sales & Distribution Asia. Rahman’s line manager Ganesh Rajaram (EVP, Sales & Distribution, Asia) and Sheila Aguirre (EVP, Content Distribution & Format Sales, Latin America & Hispanic US) will now report directly to Richter as FMI seeks to grow its activity in the emerging markets. As part of this renewed focus, FMI is also looking to hire a new senior executive for Central and Eastern Europe.

Of his plans, Jens Richter, CEO FMI, says: “Since joining FremantleMedia International, I have been hugely impressed by the energy and dedication of the sales teams in every corner of the world. Today’s announcement seeks only to strengthen the team further and recognises the brilliant work they have done so far. I am delighted to have Bob working side by side with me – he has been a fantastic aide since I joined FMI – while changes to reporting structures reflect our increased commitment to the emerging markets, and the potential opportunities they offer.”

After almost 100 days in his role as CEO of FremantleMedia International (FMI), Jens Richter has unveiled a new structure for his senior management team, which will strengthen central operations and finance functions and increase sales focus in the emerging markets.

Former Chief Finance Officer and Director of Operations, Bob McCourt, becomes Chief Operating Officer in the new structure, supporting Richter in managing and leading FMI. He will help Richter to set and implement the FMI’s strategic and commercial direction, and oversee all operational and financial aspects of the distribution business. McCourt’s day-to-day financial responsibilities are taken over by Darren Green who has been promoted from Senior Financial Controller to Financial Director, FMI.The news follows the recent appointment of Georgia Brown as SVP Scripted, as the business looks to build FMI’s activity in drama and comedy and consolidate its expertise in the field of co-production and co-financing.

Jens Richter, CEO of FremantleMedia International

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