RTL Group sees profits climb despite decline in revenue

Media giant RTL Group reported on Thursday weaker earnings from its core business in 2025, with total revenue falling to around €6 billion ($6.9 billion).

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes and amortization (EBITA) declined to €661 million.

However, the sale of Dutch subsidiary RTL Nederland helped push consolidated net profit to about €1.03 billion, up from €555 million a year earlier. This marks a significant increase despite weaker ongoing operations.

RTL's streaming services were again the largest growth driver. The number of paying subscribers to the RTL+ and M6+ streaming services in France rose by around 19% year-on-year to roughly 8.1 million.

Streaming revenue increased by more than 25% to €509 million, while start-up losses, including the initial losses incurred in setting up the streaming business, fell significantly.

Chief executive Thomas Rabe sees this business as the key growth driver. "Our streaming business will be profitable in 2026 – and will become the key driver for sustainable profit growth in the coming years," he said in a statement.

For 2026, RTL expects total revenues of €6.1 billion to €6.2 billion and an operating profit of around €725 million.

The company also plans to expand its streaming presence through the proposed acquisition of Sky Deutschland, pending regulatory approval from the European Commission.

RTL, Europe's largest commercial broadcasting group, expects authorization in the first half of 2026. The deal would allow the company to bundle TV channels, pay-TV services, and streaming platforms across German-speaking countries.

RTL Group is a unit of the Bertelsmann Group. Germany-based Bertelsmann has grown into one of the largest media companies in Europe.

It owns broadcasting channels including RTL and Vox, music division BMG, publisher Penguin Random House, and reaches millions of people on a daily basis with its products.