FremantleMedia profits lifts RTL

FremantleMedia’s strong 2011 lifted the results of its parent company RTL.

The production and distribution division of the pan-European broadcaster posted revenue of €1.4 billion, a 12.3% increase year on year as The X Factor launched in the US and seven new territories. It posted EBITA profit of €143 million, a 2.1% year-on-year increase. The numbers include results from acquired companies Radical Media and Ludia for the first time.

FremantleMedia accounted for 24.8% of RTL’s overall 2011 revenue figure of €5.8 billion, which compared with €5.5 billion in the 2010 financial year.  RTL profit was up 0.2% at €1.1 billion.

Outgoing CEO Gerhard Zeiler said that 2012 has got off to a better than expected start but still said that there is not enough visibilty to give guidance for the rest of the year. “Looking at January and February 2012 we can say that the negative development many had feared did not happen,” Zeiler said. “Given the high volatility of the various TV advertising markets throughout Europe, and the very short-term bookings cycle, it is not possible to give full-year guidance at the moment.”