Sweet success RTL TVI celebrates its 20th anniversary

France

RTL Radio launches two new digital radio stationsGermany

3,000 children at the Toggo summer campLuxembourg

Programme schedule continuity,boost on Internet activitiesRussia

A brand new brand image for Ren TV

People

Matthias Büchs appointed as new Head of RTL Online

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

Newsletter

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

Some very colourfulbirthday celebrationsand a new digitalchannel as a presentSeptember 1987 to September 2007…Amazingly, 20 years have already passed sinceFrench-speaking Belgian viewers firstdiscovered a brand new channel on their TVscreens: RTL TVI. It rapidly won a place in theirhearts.Belgium - 13 September 2007

Relations between the Belgian channel RTL TVIand Luxembourg are almost as intimately lin-ked as the histories of the Belgian andLuxembourg royal families. At the end of the1970s, the commercial Luxembourg channelTélé Luxembourg, which already had proved atremendous success among Belgian house-holds, decided to satisfy that audience too, pri-marily by broadcasting a Belgian news bulletin.However, to achieve that aim, news reports hadto be sent from Brussels to Luxembourg bytrain, which wasn't always the most practical ofarrangements. So it quickly became clear - andthis realisation has never faded throughout the20 years of RTL TVI's existence - that establi-shing a physical and emotional proximity withits audience was an absolute necessity for thebroadcaster. Plans to do just that came to frui-tion on 12 September 1987, when RTL TVItransmitted its first broadcast in the French-speaking part of Belgium, with immediatesuccess. Today, RTL TVI is “a dominantleader”, according to General ManagerFreddy Tacheny.

RTL TVI CEO Philippe Delusinne indivi-dually greeted the two dozen or so jour-nalists who had come to find out aboutthe programme of festivities launched tocelebrate his channel's 20-year reign on12 September 2007 almost 20 years tothe day since the channel burst onto thescene. The main words that pop into

Delusinne's mind when he alludes to its 20thanniversary are “emotions, great affection andterrific memories”. He then casually went on bysaying that a great deal had happened in 20years, resulting in the accumulation of a longand rich experience, before somewhat nostal-gically adding that the festivities marking thechannel's 20 years in existence constitute a“springboard to the future”.

Today the Belgian channel is proving this, asRTL TVI broadcasts archive footage to remindits viewers what television used to be like 20years ago, though it will do so in digital qualityon a temporary channel launched for the occa-sion, dubbed RTL TVI 20 ans (20 Years of RTLTVI). The programmes covered will include thefund-raising charity event Télévie, excerptsfrom Miss Belgium competitions, series, filmsand cult programmes, as well as a brand new

2Philippe Delusinne

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

talk show entitled On n'a pas tous les joursvingt ans (Twentieth Anniversarys Don'tHappen Every Day). This programme presentsa combination of cult programmes of yeste-ryear broadcast in the latest high quality to thechannels audience of the first digital channelserving French-speaking Belgium, from 20September 2007 to mid-January 2008.

Already at the beginning of the month, RTL TVIinvited its viewers to come and celebrate theevent at four free RTL Live concerts. “That star-ted off the proceedings with a bang”, saidPhilippe Delusinne, as more than 500,000 peo-ple made the trip. At the end of October, a bookby Jean-Paul André, relating RTL TVI's majorlandmarks and the lesser footnotes in thechannel's history, will be on sale in all goodbookshops. Furthermore, in a special program-me entitled RTL c'est vous (You AreRTL) viewers will be given an insightinto the lives of the people workingboth in front of and behind the TVcameras. And let's not forget thechannel's collection of outtakes, pro-viding a humorous look back over itsfirst 20 years.

Freddy Tacheny emphasised that “20is the most wonderful age to be”. Yetthe channel's lasting success is cer-tainly not down to chance. Indeed,there's no secret about the ingre-dients of its recipe for success: RTLTVI's keystones are fiction (featurefilms and series) and information,backed up by a healthy dose of enter-

tainment. But another vital reason why thechannel caught on is that its presenters suc-ceeded in forging strong links with viewers.Based on such solid foundations, RTL TVImanaged to forge ahead and establish a realfamily of TV channels and radio stations: ClubRTL in 1995, Plug TV in 2004 and the radio sta-tions RTL, Contact and Mint as well as theInternet channel www.RTLinfo.be. FreddyTacheny spotlighted two concepts that hedeems crucial: “constantly remaining in touchwith the audience” and “interactivity”.

The special website www.rtltvi20ans.be set upto mark the channel's 20th anniversary remindsWeb users of the programme schedule of thenew digital channel RTL TVI 20 ans, but alsooffers videos, music clips, outtakes and much,much more.

3

“On a pas tous les jours 20 ans” moderators,Alain Simons and Agathe Lecaron

The special website www.rtltvi20ans.be

check out

www.rtltvi20ans.be

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

RTL Radio Francelaunches two new digitalradio stationsThe most popular radio station in France isinvesting in digital future and is launching twonew radio stations – one dedicated to sport andnews and another which will re-broadcast RTLprogrammes in different time slots.France - 10 September 2007

On 8 October RTL Radio and sports dailyL'Equipe will launch RTL L’Equipe, a radio sta-tion dedicated to sport and news. The new sta-tion will be on air 24 hours a day, via theInternet initially but in September 2008 shouldbe allocated its own digital frequency by theSupreme Audiovisual Council (CSA).

The partnership between RTL Radio andL'Equipe is a tried and tested one. They haveworked together in the past on a radio pro-gramme and joint advertising projects.

On Thursday, 6 September 2007 RTLAutrement took its first steps on the Internet. Ittoo is waiting impatiently to be allocated itsown frequency. At the same time, the new sta-tion is to build its individual content profile andto develop new formats. The goal with RTLAutrement is it to be the number one among all

new digital stations. In the meantime, radiolisteners are able to enjoy repeats of RTLprogrammes in different time slots.

It should be stressed that any foraysinto new technology, however inno-vative the latter, require a degree ofcreativity – otherwise they will bedoomed to failure. Such were thesentiments of Axel Duroux, CEO of theRTL radio family in France (RTL, RTL 2,Fun Radio): “The stations will offer uniqueprogrammes delivering added value; theseare not simply web-based radio stations requi-ring zero effort.” He added: “We believe in digi-tal radio.”

4

Axel Duroux

listen toRTL Autrement

atwww.rtl.fr/r

adio/

rtlautrement.asp

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

“Never change a winningteam” – the new seasonat RTL Radio FranceSpurred on by its exceptional audience figures,France's favourite radio station is starting anew term – but without making any majorchanges to its schedule. The primary focus islisteners – everything is being done for themand with them.France - 11 September 2007

The schedule for the new season reflects theslogans of the most recent advertising cam-paign in which star radio presenters told liste-ners their aim was to: “Help you”, “Keep youinformed”, “Make you laugh”, “Entertain you”,“Tell you more”, “Surprise you”, “Make youdream”… and more.

There is no question that news is the priority forRTL Radio, which, with an editorial team com-prising 130 journalists in France and around theworld, is working hard to bring its listeners rigo-rously honest news qualified by comment fromwitnesses and specialists.

When it comes to events, RTL will be reportingthem first. This is certainly the case in terms ofsport with the rugby World Cup (see previous

article in Backstage), Euro 2008 and the BeijingOlympics. As for politics, RTL will be on hand tocover the forthcoming elections in the UnitedStates and Russia.

Why make changes to a winning team bringingin an audience of over 6.8 million listeners aday? “The new season will follow along thesame lines as last year,” said Axel Duroux,CEO of the RTL radio family in France (RTL,RTL 2, Fun Radio).

The mornings will be dedicated to news withthe most listened to morning show in France –with its highly talented editorialists AlainDuhamel and Jean-Michel Apathie. This will befollowed by consumer protection with JulienCourbet in his programme Ca peut vous arriver,

5

The rugby experts of RTL Radio,Franck Mesnel, Jean-Michel Rascol, Patrick Sébastien and Pierre Salviac.

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

after which there will be entertainment withJean-Pierre Foucault and Cyril Hanouna onBonne Touche.

The line-up continues with Jérôme Godefroyand RTL Midi between 12.30 and 14.30 whenlisteners will be able to have their say and reactdirectly to news stories. The debate oftencontinues after the programme on JérômeGodefroy's blog.

Between 14.30 and 16.00, Laurent Boyer, privi-leged confidante to the stars – from ZinédineZidane to Céline Dion – will have listeners day-dreaming with La Tête dans les Etoiles. Thenit's the turn of the RTL 'phenomenon' that isPhilippe Bouvard, a legendary figure in radioand one who has provided top-quality, loyalservice for 31 years with his programme LesGrosses Têtes – quite simply the most listenedto programme in France between 16.00 and18.00. Ministers, artists, intellectuals… Anyonewho's anyone will be clamouring for PhilippeBouvard's microphone – a never-ending sourceof humour.

Very often, listeners are given the chance to airtheir views – a clear demonstration that theyare indeed the essence of RTL. They are the beall and end all and are at the heart of every pro-gramme. That's why “we produce radio whichwe hope will please as many people as possi-ble and which is designed to track trendsamong its listeners,” said Axel Duroux.

“RTL is yours,” Axel Duroux added. Enoughsaid. Let the new season begin.

6

Cyril Hanouna and jean-Pierre Foucault

Laurent Boyer

Philippe Bouvard

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

3,000 children spendtheir holidays at theToggo summer campThis year for the first time, Super RTL ran theToggo summer camp – a series of week-longstays for children filled with activities duringthe summer holidays. There were a lot of“campers” and the event was a great successfor Super RTL.Germany - 12 September 2007

When asked what they enjoyed most about theToggo summer camp, the eight to 13-year-oldsdidn't have to think long: “…the day I was adragon-hunter,” was one response, “…gettingto know my friend Lara” was another. And thenthere was: “What was great was Agenten-Verwöhn-Tag with the cucumber mask, woodcarving and the trip to Phantasialand park!”.

This summer, some 3,000 children tookpart in the new holiday scheme put toge-ther by Super RTL in cooperation withthe travel agency RUF Jugendreisen.And the main theme? Everything childrenknow and love from the Super RTL sche-dule comes to life at the Toggo summercamp: they did sports just like inLazyTown - Los geht's and experimen-ted as in Wow Entdeckerwerkstatt.

“The Toggo Summer Camp has exceeded ourexpectations,” said Claude Schmit, CEO ofSuper RTL, delighted. “Almost 3,000 childrencoming to stay with us – that's a huge successand one we would like to build on next year. Itis highly likely that there will even be four Toggosummer camps then. Ultimately, in 2008, wewould like to be able to offer as many childrenas possible a unique and enjoyable holiday.”

7

Toggo summer camp 2007

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

Programme schedulecontinuity, boost onInternet activities“Evolution without a revolution” is the motto forthe new season of programmes on RTL RadioTélé Lëtzebuerg.Luxembourg - 12 September 2007

RTL Lëtzebuerg will continue to base its pro-gramme schedule on the usual pillars of infor-mation, magazines, sport and entertainment, butat the same time, exchanges between its TV,radio and Internet activities will be stepped up.

Seventy-seven per cent is the impressive reachof RTL's TV, radio and Internet activities inLuxembourg. Before CEO Alain Berwick presen-ted the main innovations at Tuesday's pressconference unveiling the new season, heemphasised the positive trend in recent months.With 192,000 listeners tuning in every day, RTLRadio Lëtzebuerg is by far the leading broadcas-ting medium in the Grand-Duchy, commanding amarket share of 72 per cent amongLuxembourgers. Every day, its TV programmesare watched by 147,000 viewers, meaning thatduring the week (from Monday to Friday) thechannel reaches an average of 46.2 per cent ofall Luxembourgers over 12 years of age.Moreover, the website RTL.lu is the coun-try's most successful Web portal, consul-ted by 7.3 per cent of Luxembourgersevery day.

In a bid to coordinate its individual mediawith each another even more effectively infuture, RTL has appointed a director ofinformation to be in charge of such efforts.In addition, the revamped news platformRTLNews.lu, due to come online beforethe end of September, will set out to opti-mise the flow of information across thebroadcaster's various platforms.Accordingly, the new website will offermore of RTL's radio and video content.

Alain Berwick explained that in particular“Internet users will have access to full versionsof interviews”. RTL's Internet information offen-sive will be complemented by a new video plat-form focussing clearly on entertainment: On 17September, RTL will launch “You make TV”,Luxembourg's counterpart to Clipfish.de andWideo.fr, where viewers will also be able toupload films shot on their digital cameras andmobile phones.

Where RTL's radio and TV programmes areconcerned, the watchword is continuity. Here's aquick overview of the new season's key innova-tions: henceforth prime-time TV will kick off withits magazines 20 minutes earlier, at 18.40. Themain news bulletin De Journal will also offerFrench and German subtitles on teletext. Finally,two new programmes, Kloertext and DokShow,will alternate with each other at 18.30 onSundays.

8

Alain Berwick

Youmaketv.com

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

A brand new brandimage for Russianchannel Ren TVHaving tested out its new strategy for sixmonths, Ren TV is back with a new logo, a newadvertising campaign and a new slogan. Withthis new strong and masculine image, Ren TVaims to attract its target group, men aged 25-54.Russia - 7 September 2007

The first six months of 2007 were the pilotphase for Ren TV's new strategy. Already, theresults have been positive and have proven tothe channel that it made the right choices. RenTV currently enjoys a 5.1 per cent market shareamong 6-54-year-olds as compared with 5.0per cent during the first half of 2006.

Ren TV opted for a well-defined strategyin seeking to attract a typically maleaudience most coveted by advertisers.In this context, Ren TV Media RelationsDirector Anton Nazarov said: “Our chan-nel is now positioning itself as male-oriented, and we have been busy expe-rimenting with new programme contentand conducting in-depth sociologicalresearch.”

To this end, the Russian channel hasrevamped its logo, which now compri-ses two circles – one orange and oneblack – and creates a contrast whichoozes strength and power.

The advertising campaign running throu-ghout September to showcase Ren TV'sstrong brand image features some of thechannel's emblematic figures such asMarianna Maksimovskaya, PavelAstahov and Tigran Keosayan. The newslogan “It should be seen” accompaniesprogrammes with exclusive content.

The new season's schedule includes news pro-grammes, documentaries, criminal investiga-tion programmes and new episodes of thepopular Russian drama series Soldaty. News,documentaries, sport and entertainment areclearly Ren TV's four main pillars.

9

Pavel Astakhov, Marianna Maksimovskaya andTigran Keosayan

TV-Series promotional campaign

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

105.5 Spreeradio bringsbig stars to small stages105.5 Spreeradio is launching a series ofexclusive concerts for listeners. First the voiceof Supertramp.Germany - 7 September 2007

There are moments in life that one always looksback upon fondly. This will certainly be the casefor the Spreeradio private concert with RogerHodgson, the front man of the legendary bandSupertramp that reached its height of fame inthe 1970s and 1980s with hits such asDreamer, The Logical Song or It’s RainingAgain. Hodgson will perform live on Friday 28September at 20.00, exclusively for Spreeradiolisteners at the Admiralspalast in Berlin.

This first concert in the “Big Stars – Small Stage”series was an immediate hit: the 1,000 freetickets were snapped up barely 75 minutesafter presenter Jochen Trus released them onair.

The lucky ticket holders can now look forwardto Supertramp's best songs in a unique atmos-phere. But this won't be a one-off event – 105.5Spreeradio plans a series of concerts in “priva-te circles” between now and Christmas.

10

Roger Hodgson

Roger Hodgson

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

11

Record: N-TV.de receives 119 million hits in AugustWith over 119 million hits in August, N-TV.de set a new record. On 20 September, thechannel will be launching the new stock-exchange and finance website Telebörse.de.Germany - 12 September 2007

Lonely farmers search for true love - now on prime timeRTL series The Farmer Wants A Wife has already twice before followed farmers ontheir search for true love and has brought together lonely hearts and in the latestseason, presenter Inka Bause will even play cupid on prime time television.Germany - 11 September 2007

TV Quick and TV Choice award for The X FactorFremantleMedia’s popular music talent show wins an award for “Best Talent Show”.United Kingdom - 7 September 2007

Vox continues working with Steffen HensslerVox has announced its intention to continue working with its new TV chef SteffenHenssler after cookery show Ganz & Gar achieved above-average viewing figuresover the past fortnight.Germany - 10 September 2007

Desperate Housewives is a hit with French womenThe latest episodes in the second season of the successful US series DesperateHousewives achieved record viewer ratings on Thursday evening.France - 11 September 2007

the RTL Group intranetweek 37

People

Matthias Büchsappointed as newHead of RTL OnlineGermany - 10 September 2007

Matthias Büchs will be Head of RTL Online atRTL Interactive on 1 October. The 43 year old iscurrently Operations Director and a member ofthe Management Board at Super RTL. Hereplaces Sushel Bijganath who, after severalyears with the RTL family of channels, wishedto step out on his own to develop his ownInternet start-up company. In addition tosuccessfully relaunching the RTL website(RTL.de), Sushel Bijganath also worked with histeam to establish the video-on-demand portalRTL Now and the Clipfish video community onthe market.

Johannes Züll, Managing Directorof RTL Interactive said: “MatthiasBüchs will join our team as a high-ly experienced online and mobileexpert. We are all the more pleasedthat we have been able to streng-then our team with someone fromwithin the German RTL family ofchannels. I am, however, also sadto see Sushel Bijganath leave usand would like to thank him onbehalf of RTL for his excellentcontribution and wish him all thevery best for his new media com-pany.”

Another change within the RTL family of chan-nels is Alexander Fromm's move from his posi-tion as Head of Business Development at RTLInteractive. The 35 year old will become theNew Media Director and a member of theManagement Board at Super RTL on 1October.

Klaus Engels (44) will also become the newCommercial Manager for Super RTL and takeover responsibility for the Controlling andFinance and Accounting departments.

12

Matthias Büchs

Alexander Fromn Sushel Bijganath

http://backstage.rtlgroup.frhttp://backstage.rtlgroup.comhttp://backstage.rtlgroup.de

PublisherRTL Group

45, Bd Pierre Frieden

L-1543 Luxembourg

Editor, Design, Production

RTL Group

Corporate Communications and Marketing