Broadcasting group RTL reports lower Q1 revenue

Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA

15/05/2025 07:00

May 15 (Reuters) - European broadcaster RTL Group AUDK.LU reported declining revenue for the first quarter of 2025 on Thursday, as it generated less from content production unit Fremantle and TV advertising.

The company, majority-owned by German media group Bertelsmann BTGGg.F, said its quarterly revenue fell 2% year-on-year to 1.29 billion euros ($1.44 billion).

RTL confirmed its outlook for 2025, seeing revenue of around 6.45 billion euros and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) of around 780 million euros.

"If advertising revenue fell short of expectations, we would reduce costs accordingly," CEO Thomas Rabe said in a statement.

The company, which targets an operating profit of 1 billion euros within two to three years, reported a 29.1% spike in streaming revenue in the first quarter thanks to a higher number of paying subscribers.

It also confirmed its medium term target for Fremantle to reach an adjusted EBITA margin of 9% by 2026.

($1 = 0.8932 euros)

 (Reporting by Klaus Lauer, writing by Tristan Veyet, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)

 ((Tristan.Chabba@thomsonreuters.com;))