RTL takes 100% of Belgian subsidiary

Germany’s RTL Group is to take full ownership of its Belgian TV and radio operations from existing co-shareholders.

Elmar Heggen

A deal involving cash and shares will see RTL take 100% ownership of RTL Belgium, in which it was already the controlling shareholder.

RTL Belgium consists of three free-to-air channels: RTL-TVI (family, general interest), Club RTL (children’s, sports, classic movies and series) and Plug RTL (fiction, youth culture, reality).

RTL Belgium’s radio stations comprise Bel RTL, Radio Contact and digital station Mint. The business unit also operates streaming service RTL Play and news website RTLInfo.be.

Elmar Heggen, chief operating officer and deputy CEO at RTL Group, said: “After more than 30 years of successful cooperation with our co-shareholders, we have agreed to fully acquire RTL Belgium. This follows our strategy to consolidate across our European broadcasting footprint, wherever attractive opportunities arise.

“We will continue to invest in RTL Belgium and accelerate the transformation of the business, in particular via streaming services, advertising technology and data. We are looking forward to continuing the cooperation with our Belgian partners. They will remain closely associated with RTL Group.”