RTL Group stable Q3
November 13, 2014
RTL Group reported stable Q3 results as growth in its German and Dutch operations offset headwinds in France and at its TV production company.
The broadcaster, which is majority-owned by German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, said its Q3 earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA), excluding special items, was stable at €160 million.
RTL said it still expects 2014 group revenues to decline slightly, with a more significant decrease in EBITA as a new advertising tax in Hungary will continue to weigh.
“Visibility on the important fourth quarter still remains limited,” the company said in its quarterly report.
It added that the economic environment in France remained difficult, while its TV production company FremantleMedia would face continued pressure on volumes.
TV advertising markets across Europe were up in the third quarter – with the exception of Belgium. However, the third quarter, with the summer holiday season, is a traditionally weaker quarter in terms of advertising revenue.