RTL Group internet profit up 13.9%

BERLIN -- Elevated business from worldwide production activities and television procedures within the Netherlands assisted boost revenue this past year at pan-European broadcasting giant RTL Group. Europe's leading broadcaster published a 4.2% rise in revenue to Euros5.76 billion ($7.6 billion), while internet profit rose 13.9% to $917 million. Greater revenue at London-based production arm FremantleMedia and RTL Nederland increased RTL Group's efficiency. Driven by elevated revenue in The United States and also the first-time full consolidation of latest purchases Radical Media and Canadian game maker Ludia, Fremantle reported revenue development of 12.3%, with profit before interest, tax and amortization up 2.1% to $188 million. FremantleMedia distribs "Merlin," the hit German and Nederlander daily cleaning soap "Good Occasions, Bad Occasions" and Australia's "Neighbours," in addition to popular formats "Idols," "The Cost Is AppropriateInch and "Got Talent." RTL Nederland obtained its best rankings since 1997, benefiting them into double-digit TV ad growth as earnings rose 21.8% to $176 million for Radio and tv procedures. The organization referred to Europe's TV ad marketplaces this past year like a mixed bag: rather flat in The European Union, except for Belgium and also the Netherlands, that have been up, minimizing ad revenue in Southern and Eastern Europe. RTL Group's other major profit centers in Germany and France ongoing to outshine local competition. RTL Deutschland saw a 4% drop in earnings to $695 million, reflecting the cruel German TV ad market and greater opportunities in programming, but nonetheless accomplished its second-best result ever. Using its flagship funnel RTL Television confirming considerably greater rankings, because of hit shows like "House," "Alarm for Cobra 11" and "CSI: Miami," RTL Deutschland, that also comprises four other free-to-air channels, elevated audience leadership over primary rival ProSiebenSat.1 to six.1 percentage points. In France, M6 was the only real major French funnel to improve its audience share year-on-year, while digital funnel W9 reported significant growth, both when it comes to ad revenue and rankings. M6 earnings were up 1.6% to $327 million. Outgoing RTL Boss Gerhard Zeiler stated the audience accomplished three major accomplishments this past year: RTL's channels maintained or elevated their strong audience share the audience been successful to maintain our prime profitability accomplished this year also it prepared an worldwide portfolio targeted at safeguarding its leading market positions and developing new companies. To that particular finish, RTL consolidated TV procedures within the Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia, made new online purchases in Germany and also the Netherlands, and left Greece's troubled broadcasting market. "We have seen different developments within the various nations we be employed in,Inch Zeiler stated. "Searching at The month of january and Feb 2012, we are able to state that the negative development many had feared didn't happen. Because of the high unpredictability of the several TV advertising marketplaces throughout Europe, and also the very short-term reservations cycle, it's not easy to give full-year guidance right now. However, RTL Group has frequently shown that it may operate effectively in very hard economic conditions." Contact Erectile dysfunction Meza at staff@variety.com

The Rivers Paul Blackthorne Joins Arrow, Jamey Sheridan Set To Experience Arrows Father

EXCLUSIVE: The Forest‘s Paul Blackthorne continues to be drawn on for any co-starring role within the CW drama pilot Arrow, a contemporary retelling from the story of Electricity Comics character Eco-friendly Arrow. It stars Stephen Amell because the vigilante super hero who fights crime using archery, fighting techinques and technology under his secret identity as Oliver Full, a wealthy playboy and billionaire industrialist-switched-open politician in Star City. Blackthorne, repped by SDB Partners, Seven Summits & Optimism Entertainment, will have Det. Quentin Lance, the daddy of Oliver’s love interest Laurel (Katie Cassidy), a gruff, determined city detective who thinks true justice are only able to originate from law and order. He’s billed with getting the vigilante referred to as Arrow to justice.Due to his casting finding yourself in second position to ABC’s The Forest, Blackthorne is formally charged like a guest star within the Arrow pilot. Also drawn on like a guest star (and most likely recurring) in Arrow is Law & Order: Criminal Intent alum Jamey Sheridan, who'll playRobert Full, Oliver’s father.Susanna Thompson plays Olivers mother, Moira Full. David Nutter is pointing the pilot, written/executive created by Andrew Kreisberg, Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim. Blackthorne may be the first actor from ABC’s midseason drama The Forest to book an airplane pilot. The horror drama, which opened recently, has already established rough sledding hooking up with audiences and it is odds for coming back next season are slim. Sheridan continues to be recurring on Showtime’s Homeland.

Chris Weitz Rewriting Cinderella

For director Mark RomanekLast August, we brought word of Disney trying to snag the services of Never Let Me Go director Mark Romanek to tackle a new version of Cinderella written by Aline Brosh McKenna. Now it would appear that he's at least attached, but will be working from a script re-written by Chris Weitz.This new take on Cinders first cropped up in 2010, spurred by the success of Alice In Wonderland and the current trend to re-imagining fairy tales. For now, the Mouse House is keeping the details under wraps, but we do know that it'll tweak some of the story's famous elements.Weitz is no stranger to fantasy, though his big passion project, an adaptation of Philip Pullman's The Golden Compass, didn't take off at the box office and the planned trilogy stalled. He also directed the second Twilight film, New Moon. More recently, he won acclaim for immigrant drama A Better Life, which propelled Demian Bichir to a Best Actor nomination at this year's Oscars.There's no word on who might star in the new Cinderella, but Disney will certainly be hoping it ends up with another Alice-level success on its hands.

Spotlight on Summer time Repertory Programs

Duncan Stewart, director of casting at National Artists Management Company, discusses opening every submission and what he really wants to see inside a headshot. casting Duncan Stewart headshot NY city open distribution Duncan Steward, director of casting, discusses what he wants from an actress inside a general meeting, mainly truth, likability, and insufficient ego. advice casting Duncan Stewart NY city tips Duncan Stewart, director of casting, discusses what he needs from an audition and customary mistakes stars make. advice auditions casting Duncan Stewart NY city Alaine Alldaffer stops working the actual role of the casting direcor. Alaine Alldaffer casting casting director Gray Gardens play stage theater Casting director Alaine Alldaffer discusses casting "Saved" and all sorts of myths about becoming an actor in NY City. Alaine Alldaffer casting director New york city theatre play saved NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes what stars have to know before walking into an audition. (Part a couple of) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. (Part 1 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera NY casting director Bernie Telsey describes how you can give your very best audition. (Part 2 of two) Bernie Telsey casting director We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about focusing on cleaning soap operas. Only need beautiful people apply? (Part 2 of three) General Hospital Mark Teshner cleaning soap opera We spoken with casting director Mark Teschner about who audition for cleaning soap operas. (Part 3 of three) General Hospital Mark Teschner cleaning soap opera Videos for that Back Stage News & Features section.

99-Year-Old Oscar Voter Lower on Artist, On Kaira Pitt

Academy awards ballots are due today at 5 p.m. PT, and procrastinators inside the actors' branch might succeed to keep yourself informed: Your earliest peers posseses an upset or two in your thoughts. The La Occasions stood a fun number of features in the last weekend exploring a couple of from the principals and predilections set to assist this years Oscar election, none more lighting than this profile of 99-year-old (but nonetheless active!) actress Connie Sawyer. The end result is: Sure, she's squarely Team Streep inside the Best Actress category. But Sawyer's preferences in Picture and Actor defy the easy generalization of rank-and-file Academy voters as pliant, disengaged blue-fur: Sawyer, who was simply a 15-year-old dwelling in Concord in 1927, when the Artist's story begins, wasnt so enamored in the black-and-white-colored film. The film was enjoyable enough, she states, but she frankly doesn't determine what all the fuss is about. Hasnt anybody seen old films? Sawyer asked for in exasperation. Theyre easy to make and straightforward to behave. All that's necessary do is overact. I saw plenty of people films throughout my day. [...] For lead actor, the course in which the Artist star Jean Dujardin is liked by some, Sawyer selected Kaira Pitt for his starring turn as Concord As Gm Billy Beane inside the baseball drama Moneyball. The film, she mentioned, was the most effective work hes done. Clearly, this in the former Concord girl together with a girl who calls the Oscar itself "most likely probably the most legitimate movie award there's on the planet.In . Ahem. Still! No better time in comparison to gift for an additional wind among competitors and experts alike. I like you, Connie Sawyer. [LAT]

ABC's Mandy Moore Pilot and 'White Van Man' Land Casting Company directors

Two more ABC comedy aircraft pilots have signed on casting company directors, Back Stage has confirmed.Wendy O'Brien will cast "Whitened Van Guy," from ABC Galleries. With different BBC show, the pilot follows a guy whose imagine opening a cafe or restaurant is defined on hold when his father leaves him responsible for the household handy-guy business, and also the attendant van. The pilot was compiled by Bob Bowman, that has written several instances of hit Fox comedy "Raising Hope." Kyle Bornheimer is attached because the titular guy, while J.K. Simmons will have his retiring father. Shooting is scheduled to start the following month.Additionally to "Whitened Van Guy," O'Brien can also be casting Fox pilot "Little Brother" and NBC pilot "Next Caller Please," both comedies.O'Brien casts several current series, such as the Forex series "Sons of Anarchy" and "It Certainly Is Sunny in Philadelphia" and MTV's "Teen Wolf," along with the approaching Nickelodeon comedy "Zach Stone is Destined To Be Famous" starring Youtube sensation Bo Burnham.Another pilot also involves somebody who has an aspiration to spread out a cafe or restaurant, only this time around there is no retiring father to face in her own way. Mandy Moore will star within an untitled comedy in regards to a lady who opens a stylish new restaurant in her own home town together with her husband. The pilot, from 20th TV, is going to be cast by Leslie Litt. It'll shoot in mid March.Litt also casts Fox comedy "Breaking In" and CBS comedy "Rules of Engagement."

Amanda Seyfried Knows Who Responsible In 'Gone' Exclusive Clip

It's bad enough getting kidnapped having a killer. It's worse once your sister can get kidnapped using it . guy couple of years later. In "Gone," Amanda Seyfried plays Jill, the woman who must convince police force that her former kidnapper makes up about the disappearance of her sister. As you have seen, the cops aren't so ready to believe her. "If my sister dies, it's your fault," she states in this particular exclusive clip, pointing the sharp finger of blame at Daniel Sunjata, who plays one of the detectives trying to find her sister Molly. Maybe this isn't the easiest way of coping with police force to discover your sister, the whole blame game approach, but that doesn't matter to Jill, who stops at nothing to find her sister and convey the man she thinks is responsible to justice. "Gone" opens in theaters February 24. Jennifer Contractor and Wes Bentley co-star. Whoever else consider the exclusive clip from "Gone"? Inform us inside the comments below and also on Twitter!

Ratings: Touch Posts Second-Biggest Drama Debut of the Season

Kiefer Sutherland They can obsess about these numbers on Touch: Wednesday night's preview of the series that begins March 19 pulled in the second-biggest audience of any prime-time premiere this season. It was second only to ABC's Once Upon a Time, which reeled in 12.79 million viewers and a 4.0 rating among industry-prized 18-to-49-year-olds on Oct. 23, and Kiefer Sutherland's TV comeback surpassed the debut of two other ballyhooed Fox shows this season, Alcatraz (9.97 million/3.3 on Jan. 16) and Terra Nova (9 million/3.1 on Sept. 26), according to preliminary Nielsen figures. Of course, Touch had the benefit of following American Idol, which was the night's most-watched show by far (despite its relatively lagging numbers), and kept 61 percent of its lead-in's viewership. Read our American Idol recap In prime time's final hour, the departure of Marg Helgenberger's Catherine from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation gave the show an uptick of nearly 20 percent compared with last week. Check out the rest of the day's news on TVGuide.com 8 p.m.CBS: Criminal Minds [rerun] 7.91 million viewers (1.7 demo rating)ABC: The Middle [rerun] 5.26 million (1.5); Suburgatory [rerun] 4.21 million (1.4)Fox: American Idol 19.51 million (6.4)NBC: Whitney 4.50 million (1.4); Are You There, Chelsea? 3.90 million (1.4)CW: One Tree Hill 1.47 million (0.7) 9 p.m.CBS: Criminal Minds 13.70 million viewers (3.6 demo rating)ABC: Modern Family [rerun] 6.49 million (2.5); Happy Endings [rerun] 4.02 million (1.7)Fox: Touch 11.87 million (3.9)NBC: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [rerun] 3.75 million (1.2)CW: Remodeled [rerun] 659,000 (0.3) 10 p.m.CBS: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation 14.03 million viewers (3.3 demo rating)ABC: Revenge [rerun] 3.12 million (0.9)NBC: Law & Order: Special Victims Unit [rerun] 4.01 million (1.4)

Seal: I have No Intentions of Getting rid of My Wedding Ring Soon

Seal A following day of verifying his impending divorce, Seal is opening about his friendly split to Heidi Klum (and why he's still wearing his wedding ring.) "In my opinion i had been shocked," Seal told Ellen DeGeneres on Monday's show. "You choose to use to those things while using finest intentions if you say 'I do' and you also say ''til dying do us part.' People vows hold value ... These items happen." Heidi Klum and Seal divorcing The pair, who married in 2005, introduced their split Monday, stating: "We have had the finest respect for one another throughout our relationship after which love each other greatly, but we have grown apart." See photos in the couple with time Seal also referred to for the talk show host why he had been wearing his wedding ring. "I believe that it is simply virtually a manifestation of techniques I'm relevant for this lady," he mentioned. "Due to the fact we have made a decision to part ways doesn't imply you decide to go without your ring and you're simply forget about mounted on that each ... Are we able to placed on the ring for your relaxation within our lives? Who knows? But at this time around it feels really comfortable in my hands therefore i have intentions of getting rid of it soon.In . Seal, whose new album dropped Tuesday, also came out on Tavis Smiley, which airs Friday on PBS. "What one should do in this case is remain civil also to retain an individual's dignity also to be professional also to understand that we aren't the only people on the planet which are through this," he mentioned. "It is simply sadly an instalment of existence." Watch a clip of Seal's interview with Smiley:

Kristin Chenoweth Heads to Hot in Cleveland

Kristin Chenoweth Cleveland is about to get even hotter. Kristin Chenoweth has been tapped to guest-star in an upcoming episode of Hot in Cleveland, TVGuide.com has confirmed. Series executive producer Sean Hayes took to Twitter Monday morning to announce Chenoweth's appearance, which is slated to air in May. Hot In Cleveland gets a fourth season and a spin-off The 43-year-old actress, who occasionally appears on Glee and will next star in ABC's GCB, will portray a friend of the girls from L.A. who comes to stay with them after breaking up with her longtime boyfriend, a Beverly Hills dermatologist to the stars. The ladies must put the two back together or face the possibility of never getting another appointment with the exclusive doctor again. Hot in Cleveland airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on TVLand.

Roseanne Barr among NBC pilot orders

NBC ordered three comedy pilots Monday, including a potential comeback vehicle for Roseanne Barr. Barr would star in "Downwardly Mobile" as the proprietor of a mobile home park and surrogate mother to all of the unique people who live there in a challenging economy. "Mobile" is from 20th Century Fox TV with executive producers Eric Gilliland, John Argent and Barr. Gilliland was executive producer of the original "Roseanne," a smash hit for ABC during the 1990s. NBC also ordered "Animal Kingdom," a single-camera office comedy centered on a "House"-like veterinarian who loves animals but usually hates their owners. From Universal Television and American Work, the half-hour is executive produced by Brian Gatewood, Alex Tanaka, Scot Armstrong and Ravi Nandan. The third project is also a single-camera production from Universal TV: "Go On," in which an irreverent yet charming sportscaster tries to move on from a loss and reluctantly finds surprising solace from the members of his mandatory group therapy sessions. Executive producer Scott Silveri is also an NBC veteran of "Friends" and its spinoff "Joey"; he most recently cracked the Peacock lineup with the short-lived "Perfect Couples." Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com

Golden Globes Video: New Girl Cast Discuss Show's Success

Max Greenfield, Hannah Simone and Lamorne Morris New Girl's Hannah Simone posseses an inkling about Fox comedy's success. "It's a show that's most apparent towards the generation at this time around, that amount of your existence where you stand just trying to decipher it along with your pals would be the family," she told TV Guide within the Golden Globe Honours. "It's people awkward moments around that are funny searching back.Inch Dermot Mulroney to romance Jess on New Girl Plus, star Max Greenfield added: "There is available a sizable celebrity this is actually the lead within our show, Zooey Deschanel - that will help a good deal.In . Watch the interview:

New poster for Jason Statham's Safe

It appears amazing to consider that simply fifteen years ago, Jason Statham was most widely known as Sausage from Guy Richie's knockabout crime caper Lock, Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels. Nowadays he's a genuine action star, and also the new poster for approaching thriller Safe, takes this and runs by using it.The poster shows Statham at his most imposing, looking lower your camera while brandishing a ruddy massive gun. No surprise that young girl is cowering behind him. It's clearly the most secure spot to be.The film sees Statham play an old cop switched cage fighter, who transpires with witness the attempted abduction of the young girl around the NY subway. In addition, the gangsters creating a grab on her are the identical ones who wiped out his wife...It soon emerges the girl is aware of an elaborate code the Russian Mafia, the Triads along with a corrupt branch from the NYPD are prepared to kill to get hold of. Can the Stath keep her protected from each one of these wrong'uns? What is your opinion?Aimed by Recall The Leaders helmer Boaz Yakin, Safe can come roaring into United kingdom movie theaters on 11 May 2012. Grab yourself towards the local multiplex and book your tickets now. Don't make Statham request you two times...

Cheers & Jeers: Justified, My Love

Natalie Zea Cheers to Natalie Zea for giving double-timing an excellent title. Want more Cheers & Jeers? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now! The dazzling actress has returned to her regular role on FX's Justified as Winona Hawkins, the now-pregnant ex-wife of Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant). Meanwhile, she also came out round the recent season opener of Showtime's Californication as Barbara, the bitter ex-girlfriend of David Duchovny's Hank Moody. Clearly, Zea's got the ex factor. She's only a few of the one yanking dual purpose on Foreign exchange and Showtime. Dexter cop Desmond Harrington labored lack of in the law on Justified's season premiere as Fletcher "The Ice Pick" Nix, popular guy so terrifyingly sadistic he may make even Dexter's "Ice Truck Killer" melt with fear. Honestly, can it be a lot of that you should for House of Lies' Don Cheadle to guest on Justified next? Whoever else consider Justified's season opener? Subscribe to TV Guide Magazine now!

Jeremy Renner Thailand Bar Fight? 'Mission: Impossible' Actor Apparently in the finish of Evening Scuffle [UPDATE]

It appears Thailand may have Jeremy Renner now. Using what appears just like a removed scene from 'The Hangover Part II,' the actor was apparently in the heart of a bar fight in Phuket, Thailand that ended with one guy in serious condition after being stabbed inside the neck by getting an axe. According to TMZ, the ideal began at 4:30 a.m. local time when someone in Renner's quantity of pals -- apparently a man named Vorasit Issara, the gm in the Siri Panwa Resort -- "dropped a glass on the floor that started the melee." Inside the ensuing scuffle, Issara was stabbed, while Renner experienced minor injuries. Growing star is onscreen now in 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,' and might be seen in the arrival features 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' and 'The Bourne Legacy.' UPDATE: According to Renner's reps, he is at the place where the fight began, but wasn't mixed up in altercation. [via TMZ] [Photo: Getty] Follow Moviefone on Twitter Like Moviefone on Facebook