RTL Group Creates Format Development Unit

Matthias Scholten will lead a new Hilversum-based unit at RTL Group tasked with developing non-scripted formats exclusively for the company’s broadcast and streaming outlets.

The Format Creation Group (FC Group) will be jointly financed by Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland, Groupe M6 and RTL Nederland. Scholten, who reports to Andreas Fischer, RTL Group’s head of business development, is assembling a team of creatives for the new unit. The focus will be on factual-entertainment formats and reality shows.

Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group, noted, “Every year, RTL Group invests €3.5 billion in content. Strengthening our core business by further increasing our program investments and by exploring all possible ways to develop and own new hit formats is one of our strategic priorities. This is what FC Group is all about: a place of autonomy where creativity and bold ideas can thrive. With his remarkable track record, Matthias Scholten is the perfect fit for this exciting mission. The unit’s spirit of strong cooperation across our footprint perfectly complements successful initiatives such as the Bertelsmann Content Alliance and Ad Alliance in Germany.”