During the first half of 2018, RTL Group continued its business development and Total Video strategy. First-half revenue was up for the fourth consecutive year--despite significant negative exchange rate effects and major sporting events such as the Winter Olympics and the Fifa Football World Cup 2018. 

A communiqué issued on 29 August 2018 claimed: “RTL Group’s business model stands for resilient top-line growth, a highly diversified revenue mix and high-quality earnings. RTL Group will foster more organic growth initiatives in two main areas: building video-on-demand services that attract mass audiences across all content genres and continuing FremantleMedia’s push into scripted drama.”

The key H1 highlights are:

• Q2/2018: Group revenue up 3.6 per cent; EBITDA up 4.7% 
• H1/2018: Group revenue up 2.3 per cent; EBITDA up 1.9% 
• RTL Group confirms full-year 2018 outlook
• Interim dividend of €1.00 per share to be paid in September 2018.

Commenting on the results, Bert Habets, chief executive officer of RTL Group, said: “The good results for the first half of 2018 highlight once again the key strengths of RTL Group: with our broad international footprint across broadcast, content, digital, and an ever-more diversified revenue mix, we continue to grow organically, even in challenging market environments. Our high levels of profit margins and cash generation allow us to combine attractive dividends with significant organic growth initiatives.”