Bertelsmann’s RTL Group saw its revenues rise by 10.3% to €5.6 billion in 2006, while operating EBIT was up by 10.4% to €835 million. Bertelsmann itself saw its revenues increase by 7.9% to €19.3 billion and net income more than double to €2.4 billion. In Germany, Vox was RTL’s only channel to increase its audience share, while in Croatia RTL Televizija achieved break-even after only two years of operation. Although RTL experienced dwindling ad income and audience shares in the UK, its TV production arm Fremantle enjoyed higher revenues and profits thanks to successful international formats, especially in the US. Bertelsmann is currently working with Morgan Stanley and Citigroup on putting in place a $1.3 billion (€ 976.5 million) fund for further acquisitions.
