Bert Habets, former CEO of RTL Group, will become the new head of ProSiebenSat.1 Media as of November 1, 2022.
The decision was made today by the Supervisory Board of ProSiebenSat.1. Rainer Beaujean, current CEO of the German media company, has resigned from his office today by mutual agreement with the Supervisory Board, according to a statement. No reasons were given for the change in the top position, which takes place unexpectedly, according to industry insiders.
Habets has already been involved with ProSiebenSat.1 as a member of the Supervisory Board since May 2022. The Dutch national has “in-depth experience in managing global media companies as well as extensive expertise in launching and expanding video streaming services,” ProSiebenSat.1 stresses in the press release announcing his appointment, which could give a hint at what the company expects from the new CEO.
“With Bert Habets, one of the most distinguished and successful media managers in Europe is taking over as Group CEO of ProSiebenSat.1. Bert Habets will intensively contribute his comprehensive TV and digital expertise and transformation experience to further advance the development of ProSiebenSat.1 into a digital group,” said Dr Andreas Wiele, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ProSiebenSat.1.
Habets added: “I know well the challenges and opportunities that arise for media and digital companies in their transformation. I am therefore very pleased to bring this experience to ProSiebenSat.1 and to successfully drive this exciting company forward together with my colleagues on the Executive Board and the approximately 7,800 employees.”
Wiele continued: “The Supervisory Board thanks Rainer Beaujean for his great commitment. He has steered the company purposefully through the Corona crisis and, over the last three years, further developed the Group’s strategy in the direction of a digital company and implemented it consistently and successfully. Rainer has focused on profitability and positioned the company financially for the future, amongst other things through consistent portfolio management. We wish him the best for the future.”
Beaujean said: “ProSiebenSat.1 is on the right track to becoming a successful digital company, whereby in particular the dovetailing of the recently fully acquired streaming platform Joyn with the influencer business and the brands from the dating & video segment and the commerce & ventures segment should significantly improve the Group’s digital capabilities. However, the past few years have also been characterised by numerous external factors that have significantly impacted our business. I am proud of what we have achieved as a team.”
As a result of Habets’ transition from the Supervisory Board to the Group Executive Board, his seat on the Supervisory Board will become vacant and is to be filled at the latest in the course of the next ProSiebenSat.1 annual general meeting on May 2, 2023.
Habets (51) worked at RTL Group, based in Luxembourg, between 1999 and 2019. In his role as CEO of RTL Group, he was responsible for the strategic direction and operational management of broadcast, TV production (Fremantle) and digital business. In the Netherlands, he launched the video streaming service Videoland, followed by the launch of other streaming services across RTL Group. He accelerated the growth of Fremantle’s scripted content division and built a portfolio of ad tech investments.
Habets was CEO of RTL Nederland from 2008 to 2017. During this time, he transformed the company from a traditional television broadcaster into an omnichannel media and entertainment company while maintaining its market leadership. He has also served on the executive and supervisory boards of several international media companies.
