RTL profits up but FremantleMedia profits down

RTL has registered revenue and profit increases in its half-year results. The pan-European broadcast group posted revenue of €2.8 billion for the six months to end-June, a 3.4% increase year on year. EBITDA profit increased 3.7%, taking the total to €557 in the same period.

The company said that higher TV ad revenues in France, Germany and the Netherlands lifted its half-year financials, as did increased revenue contribution from FremantleMedia, its production and distribution arm. FremantleMedia’s revenues grew 4.2%, driven by sales in North America, but profit declined sharply and was down 20% to €72 million with pressure on margins and a reduced volume of orders from broadcasters blamed.

“After the strong growth seen in the Western European TV advertising markets in 2010, the first six months of this year show a mixed picture. Nevertheless, RTL Group has again managed to improve all key indicators – revenue, EBITA and net profit,” RTL CEO Gerhard Zeiler said in a statement.

He added: “We’ve taken important steps in recent months to further strengthen our international portfolio. The new joint venture in India is RTL Group’s first broadcasting venture into Asia. We have acquired full control in both Hungary and Croatia, and will now proceed to build strong families of channels in these countries, too.”