RTL Group, a major European media company, announced strong first-half financial results on Tuesday, with total revenue climbing 3.9% to €2.9 billion ($3.3 billion). The company’s streaming division emerged as a key growth driver, offsetting weakness in traditional television and production operations. The addition of Sky Deutschland, acquired from Comcast in June, bolstered the overall revenue base and expanded RTL’s market position.
The streaming segment demonstrated robust profitability, with adjusted EBITDA increasing nearly 50% year-over-year to €239 million ($275 million) during the first six months. CEO Clement Schwebig highlighted that streaming operations are on track to contribute approximately €100 million ($115 million) to full-year operating profit. The merger of Sky Deutschland with RTL+ is expected to create a combined streaming platform serving 12.4 million paid subscribers across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, positioning RTL as the third-largest streaming provider in the German-speaking market.
However, challenges persisted in other business segments. Linear television advertising revenue contracted 4%, while Fremantle, RTL’s production arm, experienced a 7.7% decline to €835 million ($964 million). Despite these headwinds, company leadership expressed optimism about a turnaround, citing upcoming content launches including a “Baywatch” reboot scheduled for Fox in January 2027 and the thriller “Kill Jackie” starring Catherine Zeta-Jones. RTL revised its full-year revenue forecast upward to €7.1-7.2 billion ($8.20-8.32 billion), reflecting confidence in its streaming trajectory.
Originally reported by Variety →
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