The merger is under threat after France’s competition authorityabout the deal, which would unite Bouygues-owned TF1 and RTL’s M6, both leading commercial broadcasters in the country. A plan to merge RTL Nederland with Dutch broadcaster Talpa Network is also being looked into by local competition watchdogs.
In RTL Group’s half-year financial results revealed this morning, CEO Thomas Rabe addressed the situations as the company posted H1 revenue of €3.28BN . “We expect the competition authorities in France and the Netherlands to decide on the proposed combinations of both Groupe TF1 and Groupe M6, and Talpa Network and RTL Nederland in autumn,” he said. “We remain convinced that market consolidation is necessary to compete with the global tech platforms.
However, revenue in the second quarter was organically down 4.1% to €1.7BN due to “slowing TV advertising markets, in particular in Germany.” RTL’s adjusted H1 EBITA was up 3.7% to €501M but its group profit of €304M was well down on last year’s €929M, when the company benefited from gains from several disposals.
Global content producer Fremantle posted revenue up 8.1% to €983M and RTL expects it to achieve full-year revenue of €3BN by 2025. The support this plan, RTL will “invest significantly,” both organically and through acquisitions “in all territories across drama and film, entertainment and factual shows and documentaries.”