RTL eyes more int’l acquisitions, denies FremantleMedia sale

International producer and distributor FremantleMedia will continue to acquire small and mid-sized production companies as owner RTL Group looks to expand its content business.

Gerhard Zeiler, chief executive officer of RTL Group, said that it would continue with its acquisition strategy. “We will continue to do what we did in the last year and continue to expand our content arm FremantleMedia, mostly through small and mid sized acquisitions.”

FremantleMedia acquired a 62.5% stake in US producer Radical Media last year, a further 51% stake in game developer Ludia, took over Netherlands-based independent producer Four One Media and acquired the remaining 25% stake in producer Blu, which operates in Denmark and Sweden.

However, he rebuffed rumours that it was building up the international division to sell it or British production arm Talkback Thames.

“To squash every silly rumour. We will not sell FremantleMedia, not 90% or 100%, or not sell Talkback Thames, not 90%, not 100%. This is the core of our business,” he said.

This comes as the company, which operates 46 channels in 11 countries. reported an increase in revenues of 8.4% to €5.6 billion (US$7.8 billion).