RTL Group, Europe’s leading broadcaster and content provider, today announces that it has agreed with United Business Media to acquire the outstanding 35.4 per cent shareholding in the UK television station Five for GBP 247.6 million. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be finalised in the Autumn.
Today’s announcement takes the shareholding of RTL Group to 100 per cent from an initial holding, as one of the founding shareholders in 1997, of 29 per cent. This was subsequently increased to 35.4 per cent and, later in 2000, as part of the merger between Pearson Television and CLT-UFA, the overall stake increased to 64.6 per cent.
Five has steadily grown audience and advertising market share since launch reaching 6.7 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively in 2004. In 2003 Five made an operating profit for the first time and in 2004, under IFRS, reported revenue of GBP 290 million and an operating profit of GBP 19 million.
Gerhard Zeiler, CEO of RTL Group, comments: “I am delighted that we have been able to increase our shareholding to 100 per cent in Five. This transaction demonstrates our commitment to our activities in the UK and is in line with our stated strategic objectives. Five is a key shareholding for us and we look forward to continuing to work with the management team to develop the business”.
RTL Group was advised by J.P. Morgan Plc on this transaction. | 
