RTL Group Sees Drop in Revenues for 2025 Fiscal Year
European media conglomerate RTL reported a 3.8% year-on-year decrease in revenues to €6.018 billion ($6.9 billion) for the full 2025 fiscal year. Despite this drop, the company saw strong growth in its streaming and digital advertising sectors, while its Fremantle content business experienced a decline.
RTL’s adjusted EBITDA reached €661 million ($763 million), with total group profit rising to €1.03 billion, largely due to the sale of Dutch media network RTL Nederland.
Streaming revenue increased by 26.3% to €509 million ($587) driven by a rise in paying subscribers, subscription price hikes in Germany, and growing advertising revenue on RTL+ in Germany and M6+ in France, as per an RTL statement.
RTL is set to bolster its streaming business with the planned acquisition of pay-TV service Sky Germany, pending regulatory approval by the European Commission in the first half of 2026.
The company has also expanded partnerships with distribution and platform partners such as Deutsche Telekom, Amazon, and Warner Bros. Discovery for HBO Max in Germany.
Revenue at Fremantle dropped by 9.4% to €2,043 million ($2,359 million), primarily due to lower revenue from the entertainment business, especially in the U.S. and the U.K.. RTL noted that the decrease in U.S. revenue was expected, as the previous year had seen a boost from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” spinoff “Fantasy League.”
In 2025, Fremantle achieved success with projects like “Bugonia” receiving four Oscar nominations and producing high-profile shows for streaming platforms like Prime Video and Netflix. The announcement of a “Baywatch” reboot by Fox Television Network further added to its accomplishments.
CEO Thomas Rabe commented, “The market environment in 2025 remained challenging, with a decline in TV advertising and a shift towards streaming. RTL Group accelerated its transformation by focusing on streaming and implementing cost reductions across its main businesses.”
