RTL says coronavirus already hitting ad bookings, productions

RTL SA

13/03/2020 07:00

BERLIN, March 13 (Reuters) - European broadcaster RTL Group
 RRTL.DE  said it was seeing the first cancellations of
advertising bookings and an impact on productions from
coronavirus, and forecast a decline in profits this year as it
invests in its streaming business.
    RTL, controlled by German publisher Bertelsmann BTGGg.F>,
predicted a decline of 7% in core earnings before interest and
amortization (EBITA), after turning in a solid set of 2019
results and proposing a dividend of 4 euros ($4.48) per share.
    The outlook did not reflect the coronavirus epidemic as it
is too early to quantify its impact on the RTL Group's results,
the company said in a statement.
 ($1 = 0.8925 euros)

 (Reporting by Douglas Busvine; editing by Thomas Seythal)
 ((douglas.busvine@tr.com; +49 30 2888 5084; Reuters Messaging:
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