was a truly challenging year for business. How did RTL Group do?
One can safely say – without exaggerating – that RTL Group did remarkably well in a very difficult year: the EBITA margin remained high at 14.0 per cent, the major Profit Centres generated high profits in competitive markets, and the Group’s net result actually exceeded that of 2008 slightly. Looking back, one factor was crucial to this good performance. As early as the fourth quarter of 2008, the management drew up graduated action plans for 2009 and coordinated them with the Board. This allowed the company to respond early and flexibly to the declines in advertising revenue. Going on to significantly save costs while still gaining audience shares in virtually all countries is a remarkable feat. The dividend for 2009 is again EUR 3.50 – on par with 2008. Wouldn’t it make sense, given the uncertain development of the markets, to keep the money in company instead of paying it out? It is correct that we are once again able to pay out a high dividend to RTL Group’s shareholders – at EUR 3
