RTL Rtl Group

RNS Number:7218A
RTL Group
03 September 2002



                               RTL Group (RTL.L)



3 September 2002 - RTL Group, Europe's leading broadcaster and content provider,
  reports headline figures for the half year to 30 June 2002.

RTL Group will present a full interim results announcement, including segmental
information, on Monday 9 September, the same day as French TV channel M6 - in
which RTL Group holds a stake - reports its results.


EUR million                                            Half Year            Half Year          Change
                                                 To 30 June 2002      To 30 June 2001             (%)

Revenue                                                   2,102                2,000             5.1
Reported EBITA(1)                                           181                  235           (23.0)
      Restructuring                                          (6)                 (22)
      Start up losses(2)                                    (10)                 (16)
Adjusted EBITA                                              197                  273           (27.8)
Adjusted EBITA margin (%)                                   9.4                 13.7
Reported EBITA margin (%)                                   8.6                 11.8
Amortisation and impairment of goodwill                    (115)              (2,438)
(3)
Gain on sale of subsidiaries, joint                            -                  75
ventures and other investments
Net financial expense                                        (8)                 (53)
Income tax expense(4)                                       (37)                (130)

Reported net result                                          17               (2,314)


Business Headlines

Continued difficult advertising market conditions

  * German market down by 7.2 per cent in gross advertising spend
  * RTL Group's revenue up 5.1 per cent, due to scope changes and an increase
    in non-advertising revenue
  * Underlying revenue down 2 per cent(5)
  * Underlying cost base flat
  * Improved diversification of revenue with non-advertising revenue
    contributing 38.8 per cent of total revenue (up 20.5 per cent compared to
    first half 2001)
  * Strong cash generation and continued healthy financial position


Focus remains on audiences, ratings and cost efficiency

  * Significant progress by Channel 5 in the UK with audience share up to 6.4
    per cent from 5.6 per cent in the first half 2001 and advertising market
    share up to 7.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent as at 30 June 2001
  * Format successes, with "Pop Idol" - produced by FremantleMedia -
    rolled-out in the UK on ITV, in the US on Fox and, in autumn, in Germany on
    RTL Television

  * RTL Radio in France increases market leadership over rivals
  * Streamlined operational management structure implemented
  * Increased focus on exploitation of synergies as well as on value building
    and organic growth


Didier Bellens, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RTL Group:

"Our proven long-term strategy of focusing on free-to-air television and radio
plus content has continued to be successful and has helped us to weather the
difficult current market conditions. We will continue to leverage the enormous
potential of our channels and programme brands to increase audience shares in
our main markets.

At the same time, our ongoing campaign to control costs and build synergies is
helping us to operate in a lean and efficient manner. We have streamlined our
operational management structure to help facilitate this and we have named a
senior creative executive to further help to identify and progress opportunities
for synergy.

Our achievements in tightening cost structures will also prove to be extremely
beneficial when the rebound of the markets eventually comes. However, the state
of the market has not changed since we issued our trading update in July.
Visibility is still extremely low, and while there are some small positive signs
in the UK and the Netherlands, the weak German market and a flat French market
do not encourage us to call any sort of recovery at this stage.

It should be noted that the first half of 2002 is compared to a relatively
strong first half of 2001. Whilst the second half of 2001 saw a dramatic
downturn, we are not foreseeing a similar picture for 2002."


Listing on London Stock Exchange

Following a review of the stock exchange listings of RTL Group, the Board of
Directors has decided that RTL Group will apply to the UK Listing Authority
(UKLA) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to cancel the admission of its shares
to UKLA's Official List and to trading on the LSE. This decision has been taken
in view of the continued low trading volumes in RTL Group shares on the LSE. The
intended delisting in London does not affect the existing listings at the
Luxembourg and Brussels stock exchanges.

A circular providing further details regarding the delisting will be distributed
to RTL Group shareholders in due course. It is currently expected that the
delisting in London would become effective in November 2002.

A conference call will be held for analysts and investors at 9.30 AM London time
on Monday, 9 September 2002.  To participate in the conference call dial +44 (0)
20 8240-8242 quoting RTL and chairperson Didier Bellens. The call will be
available on replay until September 16th by dialling +44 (0) 20 8288-4459,
passcode 735562.


Enquiries:

Media:                                            Investors:

RTL Group                                         RTL Group
Roy Addison  - Tel: +44 20 7691 6830              Andrew Buckhurst  - Tel: +352 421 42 4875
Markus Payer - Tel: +352 421 42 5020

Finsbury                                          Finsbury
Julius Duncan - Tel: +44 20 7251 3801             Katie Lang - Tel: +44 20 7251 3801

--------------------------


(1) EBITA represents earnings before interest and taxes excluding amortisation
    and impairment of goodwill and gain from sale of subsidiaries, joint 
    ventures and other investments.  RTL Group's EBITA reported by Bertelsmann 
    is EUR 173 million due to a different presentation of financial results 
    other than interest and allocated, non re-charged, Bertelsmann overhead.

(2) RTL Shop and Broadband (2001 only)

(3) Impairment of goodwill in 2001 relates to the acquisition of Pearson TV (now
    FremantleMedia).

(4) 2002 income tax expense reduced by release of tax provision; 2001 number
    includes tax expense on disposal of Premiere

(5) Stripping out the first time consolidation of Phoenix Productions in Germany
    as well as of smaller TV, radio and content participations, the entry of
    Sportfive under the proportional consolidation method, the exit of 
    businesses sold such as Atlantic 252, VCF and RTL 7, and the increase in the 
    participation in M6 from 43.8 per cent to 45.8 per cent


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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