• Subscribe to our Daily News Emails
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

RTL Group reports lower Q1 revenues

May 7, 2009 07.09 Europe/London By Robert Briel

RTL Group has reported lower Q1 revenues due to a tough economic environment, with TV ad markets across Europe declining by double-digit rates.

Against this background, the group’s revenues fell by 11.1% to €1,188 million (Q1/2008: EUR 1,336 million).

Reported EBITA declined to €87 million (Q1/2008: €188 million) due to falls across all profit centres, restructuring costs (€9 million) and higher start up losses (€18 million) mainly following the first-time consolidation of Alpha Media Group in Greece.

This translated into a reported EBITA margin of 7.3% (Q1/2008: 14.1%). The net cash position as of March 31, 2009 amounted to €741 million.

In the meantime, a dividend payout amounting to €541 million was made on April 24, 2009.

The RTL Group said that it is reviewing all costs and structures in response to the substantial slowdown in advertising bookings.

This process will result in a significantly lower cost base across the Group’s core businesses, which will be fully implemented by the year 2011. Until then, the Group expects a steady increase in cost savings.

Given the current state of the advertising markets and the very short-term bookings cycle, the RTL Group said that it is impossible to give reliable full-year guidance, but that the profitability level will be considerably down compared to 2008.

Despite the lower revenues, the RTL Group’s main flagship channels, RTL Television in Germany, M6 in France and RTL 4 in The Netherlands, claimed a powerful start into 2009, increasing their audience shares compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Following the first-time full consolidation of Alpha Media Group in Greece, the local management initiated a comprehensive business review and started to re-position Alpha TV as a channel targeting a younger audience.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Related

Filed Under: Finance, Newsline Edited: 7 May 2009 07:48

Avatar photo

About Robert Briel

Arnhem-based Robert covers the Benelux, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as IPTV, web TV, connected TV and OTT. Email Robert at rbriel@broadbandtvnews.com.

Latest News

  • Televisión de Galicia pioneers Ultra High Definition broadcasting in Spain
  • Reports: Disney & Hearst exploring A+E sale
  • Eutelsat’s first President Jean Grenier dead at 89
  • SPFL and Premier Sports agree four-year extension for Scottish League Cup
  • Sky Broadband becomes UK’s fastest service

Most Popular

  • MBS acquires SES playout, content management and IP delivery services
    MBS acquires SES playout, content management and IP delivery services
  • Max makes transition to HBO Max
    Max makes transition to HBO Max
  • Wurl supports Prime Video linear channel in Germany
    Wurl supports Prime Video linear channel in Germany
  • DAZN picks up international rights to Serie A 
    DAZN picks up international rights to Serie A 
  • Half of Netflix subscribers watching Anime
    Half of Netflix subscribers watching Anime
  • French Council of State rules in Canal+ and Arcom illegal streaming case
    French Council of State rules in Canal+ and Arcom illegal streaming case
  • Sky Broadband becomes UK’s fastest service
    Sky Broadband becomes UK’s fastest service

White Paper

Eutelsat planning capital increase to become European Starlink

The French state has bolstered its take in Eutelsat as part of a €1.35 billion capital increase. … [Download the White Paper ...]

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Editorial

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Commercial

Arundel View Cottage
Wepham
West Sussex
BN18 9RA
sales@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2025 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.