RTL Nederland made a profit of € 36 million in the first half of 2006, more than double the result for the first half of 2005. Turnover increased slightly, to € 171 million (2005: € 169 million). The TV businesses alone made a profit of € 37 million (2005: € 20 million), which was offset by a loss on the radio side. Hower, the loss was reduced to € -1 million with the sale of Yorin FM. It should be noted that RTL FM lost its terrestrial licence in July, and is now broadcasting only on satellite, cable and Internet.
RTL says the big increase in profits is the result of a strong focus on costs, the solid market leading position of RTL Nederland in the television market, and a broadening of its activities with more diversification. RTL’s market share was stable despite the ‘new kid on the block’, John de Mol’s Talpa TV, as well as competition from the public broadcasters which had coverage of the Winter Olympics and World Cup. There was a small loss in collective market share of RTL’s three channels among the key target group of 20-49 year olds (30% compared to 31.3% last year). Over half of this total share (16.3%) was provided by the market-leading channel RTL4. RTL5 did well, more than doubling its market share of 20-34 year olds in its key target group from 4.4% to 10.7%, and in the broader target group of 20-49 year olds from 4.4 to 8.9%. RTL7, launched in August 2005, had a market share of 5.1% in its target group of males aged 20-49 years.
Fons van Westerloo, CEO of RTL Nederland, said: “The figures have exceeded all our expectations, and I can’t be anything but delighted. We’ve maintained our strong position in the television market, and thanks to the positive figures we have a strong basis for further investment in the digital development of RTL Nederland, and a broadening of our diversification activities.”
(Source: RTL Nederland)
