week 36 / 4 September 2014 KICK OFF How RTL Television covers the European Qualifiers The Netherlands A quarter of a century for GTST Germany N-TV presents highlights of the 2014/15 season Belgium Bel RTL makes its autumn debut Luxembourg RTL History: Mathias Felten (1907 1992)
Cover Publisher RTL Group 45, Bd Pierre Frieden L-1543 Luxembourg Editor, Design, Production RTL Group Corporate Communications & Marketing Think before you print backstage.rtlgroup.com backstage.rtlgroup.fr backstage.rtlgroup.de
QUICK VIEW A quarter of a century for GTST RTL 4 p.8 N-TV presents highlights of the 2014/15 season N-TV p.9 10 Close to players, fans, emotions! RTL Television p.4 7 Bel RTL makes its autumn debut Bel RTL p.11 12 RTL History: Mathias Felten (1907 1992) RTL Group p.13 14 Big Picture p.15 SHORT NEWS p.16 17
RTL Television has secured an extensive rights package for football s European Championships and World Cup qualifying matches. On 7 September, the channel broadcasts the first game against Scotland as part of a four-hour evening of football. CLOSE TO PLAYERS, FANS, EMOTIONS! Germany 4 September 2014 RTL Television Marco Hagemann (left), former German national team goalie Jens Lehmann (in the middle) and Florian König (right), presenters of Fussball European Qualifiers 4
The World Cup is over let the European Championships begin! And so, after winning the World Cup in Brazil, the German national football team is back in action against Scotland. Which also means that football is back on RTL Television. The channel has secured an exclusive rights package for the German national football team s 20 live matches: ten each for the European Qualifiers and starting in 2016 for the World Cup Qualifiers. The Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland package also includes extensive rights to broadcast highlights of all the other qualifiers, and extensive platform-neutral online and mobile usage rights. Frank Hoffmann, Programming Managing Director at RTL Television, comments: The World Cup victory and the euphoria around the country are the best possible assets for our shared football adventure starting September. We re really excited that this wonderful team is now playing on RTL Television. State-of-the-art studio with panoramic views It all kicks off on 7 September at 20:45, when Germany plays Scotland at Dortmund s Signal Iduna Park. But the four-hour evening of football does not start with the whistle an hour before the game starts, RTL Television will broadcast the preliminary reports, presented by Florian König alongside former national team goalkeeper Jens Lehmann as a studio expert, with Marco Hagemann commentating the match. A mobile studio, the like of which has never been seen before on German television, is available for pre- and post-match analysis, interviews with the national coach and highlights of the other qualifiers. Florian König and Jens Lehmann sit against a background of 12 vertically mounted monitors that show multiple views of the action. Graphics and windows can also be switched around on the background as required. Using four live HD signals, it is also possible to create stadium panorama shots panning across the 12 monitors, which gives a realistic impression of looking through a large window into the stadium. Another special feature of the mobile studio are the LED strips set into the walls of the set and the presenter s table, which produce different lighting moods. New analysis technology: the virtual presenter In their football analysis, Florian König and Jens Lehmann can use all sorts of tools, circling players, drawing on the pitch and visualising players running and passing paths. The system offers a wide range of ways to graphically recap controversial and tactically interesting moments from games. Also new to German television is the virtual presenter. This feature enables Jens Lehmann to be virtually placed into a real scene from the game and to vividly explain a situation as if he was walking on the pitch or goal line in the middle of the action. The new technology also allows live virtual graphics to be placed on the pitch during the broadcast of the match. 3D content such as results can also be projected onto the pitch. Closer to the game and the crowd A total of 30 cameras will be used at Signal Iduna Park to bring viewers as close as possible to the players and offer unique perspectives and insights. In addition, several cameras are directed exclusively at the stands, to broadcast the full range of fan s emotions into viewers living rooms during the game. Florian König in the new studio Next > 5
A total of four different production teams will work from two broadcast vans: a national and international director; another team providing video feed to the studio monitors; and a fourth unit responsible for the slow-motion replays. In total, during a match day about 120 internal and external editorial, production and technical staff will work on the RTL Television broadcast. Up to date, interactive and on all screens If that isn t enough, there are several additional offers available online. For example, viewers can watch everything the national coach does while the match is happening on the second live stream on the RTL Inside app. Social TV on RTL Television s online platforms (RTL Inside, RTL.de, Sport.de) offers viewers opportunities to communicate and interact with fans and friends, as well as directly with the editors. The viewers opinions are also sought: How should Germany deploy its team? RTL Television gives Germany s 80 million would-be coaches the chance to send their own team line-up into the running by compiling their own personal starting eleven players and tactical formation on RTL Inside. RTL Television then calculates Germany s starting line-up from all the votes and compares it to the official team selected by the national coach. Fifa named Lionel Messi the best player of the last World Cup. Now RTL Television gives viewers the chance to choose the Man of the Match. For the first time on television, the vote and the result are combined and announced directly after the final whistle on RTL Inside and on TV, so that sports fans can see whether their choice was correct. In addition, all the latest information, statistics, live scores and results are available at any time in big specials on RTL.de and Sport.de. And if you miss a game, you can watch the last 90 minutes straight after the final whistle on RTL Now. THREE QUESTIONS FOR RTL TELEVISION S HEAD OF SPORTS MANFRED LOPPE What signature traits do you plan to give to the coverage? Whether presenting or interviewing, we want to get close to the fans, and that means we will socialize among them, whether it s at a bratwurst stand or in the merchandising area. At the same time we want to bring the TV viewers as close as possible to the players, of course. This is no easy task, but we have high hopes on achieving this connection as well. Elsewhere you have said you want to convey big emotions. What exactly do you mean by that? When something exciting happens on the pitch we can show the crowd s reaction to it just three seconds later, this can really Head of Sports Manfred Loppe get the people watching at home caught up in the atmosphere. So the idea is to capture all the intensity of the emotions in the stands and the moments of excitement, tension, enthusiasm and despair on the faces of the fans. We have planned several camera positions especially for this. What will RTL do differently during its coverage? Football and its coverage constantly offer great opportunities to find new topics and to tell them in a unique way. I mean things like exciting, unusual stories that move the viewer. So we try to accompany everyone who is directly involved, the players and the coaching staff in a different setting than during training and matches. For example, at barbecues, out walking, or shopping the more unconventional the coverage, the greater the value to the audience. Next > 6
EUROPEAN QUALIFIER FIXTURES 7 September 2014: Germany vs. Scotland, Dortmund 20:45 11 October 2014: Poland vs. Germany, Warsaw 20:45 14 October 2014: Germany vs. Ireland, Gelsenkirchen 20:45 14 November 2014: Germany vs. Gibraltar, Bremen 20:45 29 March 2015: Georgia vs. Germany, Tbilisi 18:00 13 June 2015: Gibraltar vs. Germany, Faro 20:45 04 September 2015: Germany vs. Poland, Frankfurt 20:45 07 September 2015: Scotland vs. Germany, Glasgow 20:45 08 October 2015: Ireland vs. Germany, Dublin 20:45 11 October 2015: Germany vs. Georgia, Leipzig 20:45 MARCO HAGEMANN Marco Hagemann will provide the commentary for Germany s Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 qualifying matches. Aged 37, he already has a lot of experience, having spent 14 years behind the microphone for various TV channels. Hagemann began commentating on Bundesliga games in 2000, and on the Champions League and Euro League matches from 2006. He also worked the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, the 2008 European Championships and the Under-19 and Under-20 World Cups. JENS LEHMANN Ex-Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann is the expert pundit for all of RTL Television s broadcasts. In the upcoming years, the 44-year-old will analyse a total of 20 German national football team qualifying matches for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. From 1989 to 2011, Jens Lehmann was a professional footballer at Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund, VFB Stuttgart, AC Milan and Arsenal. He played for a total of 61 games for Germany. His saves during the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal match against Argentina were legendary, saving two penalties in the penalty shootout and putting Germany through to the semifinals. FLORIAN KÖNIG Three sports, one face! Besides of Formula 1 and Wladimir Klitschko s fights, Florian König also presents the European qualifiers on RTL Television. The 46-yearold has appeared on RTL Television since 1994 and has already gained a lot of football experience. Starting as a Champions League match reporter and commentator, he later took over the presentation of European Champions League matches from Günther Jauch. König also played a major role as a commentator and presenter in RTL Television s coverage of the FIFA World Cup matches in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. 7
A QUARTER OF A CENTURY FOR GTST RTL 4 The flagship show Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden (GTST) broadcast on RTL 4 premiered on 1 September 2014 after the traditional summer break, in its 25th season. The Netherlands 1 September 2014 A permanent fixture on Dutch channel RTL 4 since 1 October 1990, GTST has seduced generations of Dutch viewers over the many years it has been on-air. Back on screens on 1 September, the Netherland s longest-running soap not only celebrates its 25th season, but it also airs its 5,000th episode on 17 October 2014. Otto van den Toorn GTST cast photo Needless to say, that for this historical occasion the producers have plenty of surprises in store for the over 1.5 million viewers on average who follow the show from Monday to Friday. An anniversary book has been edited and is available for purchase since 1 September. It recounts 25 years of history in text and over 500 pictures. Find out more about GTST 8
N-TV PRESENTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2014/15 SEASON N-TV Reliable news around the clock is N-TV s specialty. And Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland s news channel intends to continue this successful approach in the coming season. Viewers can also expect to see high-quality documentaries. Germany 2 September 2014 N-TV has had a good year. It was able to expand its strong position in news and business coverage and this year there is another reason to celebrate: on 10 November the 50,000th edition of Telebörse will be shown. N-TV is also broadcasting new seasons of its popular format Mega Brands and the luxury magazine Premium Lounge. N-TV is also broadcasting a new season of its popular format Mega Brands Upcoming highlights in the programme line-up also include high-end licensed documentaries and elaborate in-house productions. For example, in Auslandsreport Spezial: Tsunami, the news channel takes a closer look at the background to the natural disaster that hit the Indian Ocean on 26 December 2004, and its long-term consequences. To mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November, N-TV is looking back at the events of autumn 1989 with two weeks of special news programmes including commentary from the current German finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble, who was interior minister at the time. Viewers can look forward to a very personal look of the final months of the East German state in a sequel to the Next > 9
Wende und Ende Die DDR award-winning documentary Von Spreewaldgurken bis FKK Die DDR privat. Every Monday from 20 October, the channel will broadcast double episodes of the new documentary series Wende und Ende Die DDR. Turning its attention to American history, Hollywood star Tom Hanks devotes himself to a different but equally exciting time in The Sixties. N-TV will show the German premiere of the ten-part documentary series in spring 2015. Krieg der Daten Überwachung total (Data Wars Total Surveillance) The documentary Krieg der Daten Überwachung total (Data Wars Total Surveillance), which N-TV broadcasts from 7 September, also promises compelling entertainment. It reveals what can happen when personal information falls into the wrong hands. And in October, the two documentaries Ich bin Steve McQueen and Ich bin Bruce Lee offer vivid profiles of two Hollywood legends. Sports fans also get their money s worth on N-TV during the upcoming season. For instance, ex-germany player Olaf Thon and Kicker publisher Rainer Holzschuh will provide in-depth analysis of the German national team s qualifying matches for Euro 2016 on RTL Television in the European Qualifiers specials. Hans Demmel, N-TV Managing Director commented: In the coming season, viewers can look forward to lots of first-class shows that are entertaining as well as of impressive quality and standard. Hans Demmel, N-TV Managing Director 10
BEL RTL MAKES ITS AUTUMN DEBUT Bel RTL On 1 September, Bel RTL made its returned to the studios of RTL House. Among the big challenges for the 2014/15 season: a new schedule for the morning show and new entertainment, including the arrival of Laurent Ruquier, who will take the helm of Grosses Têtes. Belgium 3 September 2014 For several months, Bel RTL has been carrying out a review of its entire programme offering. In fact, even though the latest CIM audience sweep for the April to June period confirms the teams assessment regarding the decline of the general-interest radio station in terms of audience share (editor s note: Bel RTL remains the leader in terms of number of listeners), the new schedule is above all meant to be the result of an extensive transformation. Eric Adelbrecht, Managing Director of RTL Belgium s radio stations explains: Every on-air moment has been examined, analysed and organised in order to once more establish the fundamentals of what makes Bel RTL great. Eric Adelbrecht, Managing Director of RTL Belgium s radio stations Among the biggest weekday changes: Thomas van Hamme shall from now on take to the microphone alone on the Bel RTL Matin morning show (7:00 to 9:00 ), while Barbara Mertens concentrates on her role as Chief Editor. In this programme, commentators and well-known figures take turns around the table to bring their expert knowledge to current pressing issues. Following on this trend, Philippe Bouvard Next > 11
is putting his name to a new, 100-percent Belgian opinion slot called Papier Bouvard (7:20) in which he reviews the current events, people or absurdities making the news. RTL/JM Clajot Thomas van Hamme shall from now on take to the microphone alone on Bel RTL Matin ABACA Press pour RTL Faut qu on en parle (9:00 to 11:00), starting at the same time as the new work and school year in France, will cover lifestyle news and the latest trends, and is still presented by Sandrine Dans. L heure du crime (13:30 to 14:30), which airs daily on RTL Radio in France, will now be also broadcast in Belgium and presented by Jacques Pradel. Furthermore, Bel RTL has chosen to re-launch Les Grosses Têtes (16:00 to 18:00) also broadcast from rue Bayard, in Paris. The show will now be presented by Laurent Ruquier. Finally, On refait le monde (19:20 presented by Patrick Weber, follows in the footsteps of Bel RTL Soir by taking a closer look at three topical issues with the help of commentators with expertise in current affairs and public relations. And, due to its increased focus on interaction with the public, Bel RTL will offer special SOS days during several times throughout the season, where specialists will respond, off the air, to listeners questions on topics such as employment, property and taxes. Laurent Ruquier will now present Les Grosses Têtes Next > 12
RTL HISTORY: MATHIAS FELTEN (1907-1992) RTL Group The History column honours a person who is inextricably linked to the history of RTL Group. Today: Luxembourger Mathias Felten, who played a key role in the early days of Radio Luxembourg over the course of half century and laid the foundations of the company s development. Luxembourg 4 September 2014 Mathias Felten in his office in 1948 It was on 1 October 1931 that the young engineer and graduate of the Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble joined the recently created CLR in the role of technician. He quickly applied himself to the task at hand and, together with François Anen, made it possible to broadcast experimental programmes from the offices of N 53, avenue Monterey in Luxembourg City centre, where a small 150 watt transmitter had been installed. As the person in charge of the station s transmitter, Felten closely followed the progress of the installations works at Junglinster which were completed at the end of 1932. During the same period, he fitted out the two Villa Louvigny studios from which Radio Luxembourg first took to the airwaves on 15 March 1933. Mathias Felten consequently played a key role in the early days of Radio Luxembourg, bringing the station s broadcasts to a growing audience. Even so, Felten was not confined to the studios of the Grand Duchy, covering the Tour de France with Jean Masson for the first time in 1936 from the new Radio Luxembourg broadcasting van. When war broke out, programme broadcasting ceased and staff was dismissed. But Mathias Felten remained loyal to his post, looking after the installations alongside engineer Ferdinand Scholtes Felten, requisitioned by the Nazi occupiers, left his post in June 1940 after the Germans commandeered the transmitter, but nevertheless, Felten kept an eye on CLR property throughout the war with the help of his informers. Next > 13
Mathias Felten passing the baton, in 1985 to Pierre Werner (on the right), new President of CLT s Board of Directors. Following the end of the Nazi occupation, Mathias Felten, who had been reconnoitring the land since 9 September 1944, helped the liberators take possession of the Junglinster transmitter alongside Jacques Arouet, an American intelligence officer and descendant of Voltaire, as well as of Morry Pierce, CBS technician. However, the main transmitter tube had been destroyed by the Nazis and no replacement was available outside of Germany. Fortunately, Felten had had the foresight to predict such a situation might arise, and had previously set aside and secretly buried a replacement. Thanks to a stock of tubes hidden in a post office building in Diekirch, it was also possible to get the post up and running again in only four days. Once again, thanks to Mathias Felten, Radio Luxembourg s installations were silent no more. For the remarkable assistance he gave to the American army, and more specifically the Psychological Warfare Division, Mathias Felten received the Medal of Freedom in 1948, awarded by the American government. Having become Chief Engineer and Technical Director, Felten presided over the recommencement of commercial programmes during November 1945, for the smooth running of Radio Luxembourg. In 1953, he was promoted to General Deputy Director and in 1956 to General Director. Felten took on the weighty task of preparing the launch of Télé Luxembourg in 1955 without neglecting radio matters, having a new long wave radio antenna be built prior to the completion of that of future competitor, Europe No.1. Mathias Felten in1981 It was on his initiative that Radio Luxembourg s German language schedule was launched on Medium Wave 208 m in 1957, despite the fact that he had brought up the idea as early as 1948. Faced with the reluctance of agency I&P s French branch Managing Director, who did not think such an operation was commercially viable, as well as his refusal to participate in the creation of an agency for German language programmes, Mathias Felten threatened to create his own German agency. Consent was finally granted for the setting up of a provisional I&P office in Germany, which went on to be a success. Mathias Felten was once again right to put his foot down! It is also worth noting that Felten was a friend of Auguste Trémont, whom he asked to create the famous winged lion trophy, awarded between 1959 and 1995 by the German Programmes Department. Between 1975 and 1985 Felten chaired the CLT s board of directors. Felten, who was considered an effective and vigilant President, became thereafter Honorary President. Mathias Felten, who without question shaped RTL Group s foundation, passed away on 27 October 1992. His son, Jules Felten, also had an impressive career at CLT, which he joined in 1973 as Secretary General, subsequently working as General Deputy Director up until 1995. 14
Heino joins Deutschland sucht den Superstar jury! The first new addition to the Deutschland sucht den Superstar (DSDS) jury has been decided: the iconic German singer Heino will sit alongside Dieter Bohlen on the jury of Germany s take on the Idols format. The 75-year-old has been in the spotlight for nearly half a century and is distinguished by his baritone voice, blond hair and dark glasses. Heino makes his first appearance as a DSDS judge on 9 September, visiting young singing talents at the audition in Frankfurt and giving them pointers.
SHORT NEWS 1/2 SpotXchange: deal closed RTL Group RTL Group announced that it has completed the acquisition of a 65 per cent majority stake in the Denver-based video advertising monetisation company SpotXchange, following the approval of the US competition authority. Luxembourg 3 September 2014 RTL Radio Center Berlin buys a stake in 93.6 Jam FM RTL Radio RTL Radio Center Berlin has become a shareholder in the Berlin youth radio station 93.6 FM Jam by acquiring a ten per cent stake in Skyline Medien GmbH. As a result, Radio Center Berlin now has three strong brands in Berlin s highly competitive radio market. Germany 29 August 2014 FremantleMedia Asia ventures to India FremantleMedia Asia FremantleMedia Asia has announced a joint venture deal with the Indian scripted production company, DJ s Creative Unit. Singapore 2 September 2014 16
SHORT NEWS 2/2 The French television market in August Groupe M6 In August 2014, M6 achieved a total audience share of 10.5 per cent. With a 4.7 per cent audience share, W9 came first among DTT channels with viewers under 50, while 6ter achieved an audience share of 1.5 per cent among housewives under 50. France 3 September 2014 Best month ever for RTL 8 RTL 8 In August 2014, RTL Nederlans s RTL 8 scored an average audience share of 4.6 per cent among its core target group of women aged 20-49, making it the best month for RTL 8 since it launched exactly 7 years ago. Theme weeks (Cameron Diaz) and special film evenings (Mrs.Doubtfire) were very popular, among others. The Netherlands 4 September 2014 Enex expands in Argentina and Bulgaria Exex Enex, the international news provider, has welcomed two new members: the Argentinian television network Telefe, as well as Bulgarian private national channel BTV. Luxembourg 4 September 2014 17
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