RTL Group Sets New Leadership Structure, Delivers First-Half Gains

Reporting its highest-ever first-half revenues, RTL Group has announced a new leadership structure under CEO Thomas Rabe and created a management committee to drive growth and foster collaboration across its operating divisions.

Elmar Heggen has been tapped as COO, with Björn Bauer named as CFO. Both report to Rabe. All three will serve on the new group management committee (GMC), alongside Bernd Reichart, CEO of Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland; Nicolas de Tavernost, CEO of Groupe M6; and Jennifer Mullin, CEO of Fremantle. “The GMC will shape the future of our company, bringing together massive experience and different perspectives,” said Rabe. “Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland will lead our newly created European advertising technology development unit, while Groupe M6 will build the technology backbone of RTL’s streaming services. And our global content business Fremantle is at the very heart of what drives our businesses—creativity and content.”

For the first half of this year, RTL Group posted revenues of €3.2 billion ($3.5 billion), a 4.2-percent increase, with EBITA stable at €538 million ($596 million) and profit up 21 percent to €443 million ($491 million). Fremantle and digital were key drivers of the revenue gains.

“RTL Group had a successful first half of the year 2019 as the content and digital businesses further accelerated our growth,” said Rabe. “Operating profitability remained at high levels—and this despite substantially higher programming and VOD investments and restructuring charges. We will further increase our investments in content and technology. RTL Group is well-positioned for the current investment cycle in the European TV industry: we have leading market positions, our streaming services are growing fast and our financial position is strong. With new alliances and partnerships, we are actively shaping the future of the European Total Video industry—from content creation to ad sales and technology.”