RTL Group announces its interim results to 30 June 2004

RTL Group, Europe’s leading broadcaster and content provider, announces its interim results to 30 June 2004.

EUR million	Half year  to 30 June  2004	Half year  to 30 June  2003	Per cent Change  (%)	PRO FORMA1 Half year to  30 June 2004	PRO FORMA1 Half year to 30 June 2003	Per cent  Change  (%)
Revenue	2,457	2,212	+11.1	2,505	2,520	(0.6)
Reported EBITA 2	397	253	+56.9	403	318	+26.7
Restructuring charges	(9)	(29)	(69.0)	(9)	(29)	(69.0)
Start up losses 3	(10)	(5)	+100.0	(10)	(5)	+100.0
Adjusted EBITA	416	287	+44.9	422	352	+19.9
EBITA margin (%)	16.2	11.4	n.a	16.1	12.6	n.a
Adjusted EBITA margin (%)	16.9	13.0	n.a	16.8	14.0	n.a
Reported EBITA	397	253	+56.9	403	318	+26.7
Amortisation and impairment of   goodwill 4	(1)	(143)	n.a	(1)	(145)	n.a
Gain/(loss) from sale of   subsidiairies, joint ventures   and other investments	(19)	1	n.a	(19)	1	n.a
Net financial expense	(24)	(26)	(7.7)	(24)	(27)	(11.1)
Income tax expense	(114)	(53)	>100.0	(116)	(74)	+56.8
Minority interest	(44)	(7)	>100.0	(48)	(49)	(2.0)
Profit for the period	195	25	>100.0	195	24	>100.0
Adjusted EPS EUR 5	1.40	1.09	+28.4	1.40	1.09	+28.4

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1} Following the change in consolidation method for M6, which has been fully consolidated from February 2004, pro forma numbers have been provided as if M6 had been fully consolidated as of 1 January 2003
² EBITA represents earnings before interest and income tax expense excluding amortisation and impairment of goodwill and gain from sale of subsidiaries, joint ventures and other investments, net of income tax expense
³ RTL Shop, RTL Televizija and RTL FM 
⁴ No amortisation of goodwill has been recognised for the period ended 30 June 2004 as a result of the early adoption of IFRS 3 as from 1 January 2004
⁵ Adjusted earnings per share represents the net profit for the period adjusted for amortisation and impairment of goodwill and gain or loss from sale of subsidiaries, joint ventures and other investments, net of income tax expense

Headlines

RTL Group Headlines

• Record reported EBITA of EUR 397 million up 56.9 per cent.  Pro forma EBITA of EUR 403 million, up 26.7 per cent
• RTL Group channels maintained strong positions in terms of audience and advertising shares in all markets, despite the effects of the Euro 2004 championships 
• Mixed advertising market conditions across Europe, with modest growth in Germany and the Netherlands, moderate growth in the United Kingdom and Belgium and strong growth in Spain and France
• Group revenue EUR 2,457 million, up 11.1 per cent.  Pro forma revenue EUR 2,505 million, down slightly 0.6 per cent but with underlying revenue up 3.6 per cent
• Continued cost control, pro forma cost base down 2.9 per cent
• Positive net result of EUR 195 million
• Operating cash conversion of 92 per cent, adjusted for one-off cash payments
• Net cash position of EUR 30 million compared to a net debt at 31 December 2003 of EUR 298 million
   

Profit Centre Highlights

• All Profit Centres EBITA positive
• Record results at RTL Television, M6, Five, Antena 3 and FremantleMedia
• RTL Television delivers 17.1 per cent audience share, significantly ahead of nearest competitor
• Five continues to outperform, gaining audience and advertising market share 
• FremantleMedia’s record results driven by format successes
• Strong turnaround at RTL Nederland and Antena 3 in Spain
   

Strategic developments

• Full consolidation of M6 following the exit of Suez
• Excellent start to new television operations in Belgium and Croatia
• Completion of restructuring of the technical services division with the sale of London Playout Centre
• Partial sale of Sportfive, our sport rights trading business

Gerhard Zeiler, Chief Executive Officer of RTL Group, said: “RTL Group has delivered a solid performance in the first half of this year with record results from our major businesses. RTL Television re-confirmed its leading position in Germany, M6 outperformed its market in France and five once again grew market share in the UK. Management actions in Spain and the Netherlands have delivered a significantly improved result and we have also increased the strength and quality of our portfolio.  
  
We successfully launched a new television channel in Croatia, set up our third channel in Belgium, Plug TV, and M6 acquired Paris Premiere in France. 

Due to our strong operational performance, combined with the positive financial effects of the disposals, RTL Group became debt free in June 2004. This is a solid base to take the Group to the next phase of internal and external growth based on our three-pronged strategy: to further strengthen the family of channels in the markets in which we already operate, to increase non-advertising revenue and to expand geographically. 

For the remainder of 2004 we continue to see mixed advertising market conditions across Europe with visibility remaining limited.  Despite this we remain confident on the outcome for the full year.”