RTL Forms New Management Team Following Sky Germany Acquisition Approval
RTL Group, a leading player in European television, has announced a new management structure for its German operations, following the regulatory approval of its acquisition of Sky Deutschland, a fellow pay-TV operator.
The revamped team will feature executives from both RTL and Sky, with the CEO of RTL Deutschland assuming the role of chief executive for the merged entity.
The acquisition received regulatory approval earlier this week, allowing the merger to proceed as scheduled on June 1. As part of the transition, Elke Walthelm, currently the Chief Operating Officer at Sky Deutschland, will take on the role of Chief Human Resources Officer at RTL Deutschland. Additionally, Michael Radelsberger, who serves as Managing Director for Sky Austria and Sky Media, will become Chief Consumer Officer for the newly combined company.
Julia Kloke, previously CFO at Riverty, the financial services arm of RTL’s parent company Bertelsmann, will step into the role of CFO at RTL Deutschland on May 1, succeeding Ingrid Heisserer. Frank Vogel, who oversees ad sales for RTL’s Ad Alliance, will start reporting to CEO Stephan Schmitter. Carsten Schwecke, the Chief Commercial, Tech and Data Officer at RTL, is also set to depart.
The finalized board for RTL Deutschland will include Schmitter, COO Andreas Fischer, Kloke, Chief Content Officer Inga Leschek, Chief Transformation and AI Officer Max Orgonyi, Radelsberger, and Walthelm.
In a statement, Schmitter remarked, “The combination of RTL and Sky creates a unique offering for entertainment, sport, and news across free-to-air TV, pay-TV, and streaming. We will gradually combine Sky and RTL and realize annual synergies of around €250 million within three years. Our aim is to bring together the best talent, content, and processes from both companies.”
The shift of Sky from Comcast’s portfolio to RTL Group marks a significant moment in German broadcasting, with analysts suggesting it may diminish competition in the market. However, given RTL’s focus on television and streaming and Sky’s expertise in pay-TV, the implications of this merger may extend beyond mere market dynamics.
Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group, expressed enthusiasm for the new appointments: “I am delighted to appoint Elke Walthelm, Julia Kloke, and Michael Radelsberger – experienced and versatile executives – to the Management Board of RTL Deutschland. Under the leadership of Stephan Schmitter, they will drive forward the integration and further transformation of the company.”
Rabe also thanked Ingrid Heisserer and Carsten Schwecke for their contributions, wishing them success in their future endeavors. Looking ahead, Schmitter emphasized the board’s commitment to aligning the organization with the evolving landscape of television, particularly in the streaming sector.
