Positive First Half For RTL And Five

Pan-European broadcaster RTL has reported a 40% increase in profits for the first six months of 2003 amid growing optimism about the state of the advertising economy.

Chief executive, Gerhard Zeiler commented: “RTL Group has continued to progress in tough markets by outperforming competitors, showing strong, sometimes even record, performances in audience shares and increasing advertising and non-advertising revenue while actively managing the cost base.”

In the flat UK market, the performance of Five was much heralded, with the channel succeeding in driving its advertising market share up to 7.9%, from 7.3% a year earlier. It was also the only terrestrial channel to show audience improvement with a share up from 6.4% to 6.5%. A small profit of £0.7 million was forthcoming compared to a £2.1 million loss in the first half of 2002.

RTL has sought to play down speculation that it is prepared to sell its 65% stake in Five, but this did not prevent the late inclusion of an amendment in the Communications Bill that provides for a special public interest test should a major media group attempt to buy the channel.

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