Sky Germany Takeover Cleared: RTL Reveals New Management Team!

RTL Group, a major player in European television, has recently finalized its management structure in Germany following the official approval of its acquisition of fellow broadcaster Sky Deutschland.

The new leadership team will include executives from both RTL and Sky, with the CEO of RTL Deutschland taking on the role of chief executive of the unified entity.

The merger received the green light from regulators earlier this week, setting the stage for the transition on June 1. At that time, Sky Deutschland’s current COO, Elke Walthelm, will step into the role of Chief Human Resources Officer at RTL Deutschland. Additionally, Michael Radelsberger, who currently oversees Sky Austria and Sky Media, will take on the role of Chief Consumer Officer in the merged company.

Julia Kloke, presently the CFO at Riverty—a financial services firm under RTL’s parent company Bertelsmann—will assume the CFO position at RTL Deutschland starting May 1, taking over from Ingrid Heisserer who is set to leave. Furthermore, Frank Vogel, who manages RTL’s ad sales business Ad Alliance, will start reporting to Schmitter. Carsten Schwecke, the Chief Commercial, Tech, and Data Officer at RTL, will also depart his position.

The final board of RTL Deutschland will include Schmitter, COO Andreas Fischer, Kloke, Chief Content Officer Inga Leschek, Chief Transformation and AI Officer Max Orgonyi, Radelsberger, and Walthelm.

“By merging RTL and Sky, we are creating a powerhouse for entertainment, sports, and news that spans broadcast TV, pay-TV, and streaming services. We plan to merge Sky and RTL operations gradually and anticipate realizing annual synergies of approximately €250 million within three years. Our goal is to integrate the best of both company’s talent, content, and processes,” the company stated.

As Sky transitions from Comcast to RTL Group, this move marks a significant shift in the German broadcast landscape, potentially reducing one competitive buyer in the market. However, the situation could be complex given RTL’s focus on TV and streaming and Sky’s expertise in pay-TV.

Thomas Rabe, CEO of RTL Group, expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointments: “I am thrilled to welcome Elke Walthelm, Julia Kloke, and Michael Radelsberger to the RTL Deutschland Management Board. Led by Stephan Schmitter, this team will spearhead the ongoing integration and transformation of our operations.”

“I extend my best wishes to the new leadership team as they undertake this crucial and demanding role. I also want to thank Ingrid Heisserer and Carsten Schwecke for their commendable service and dedication. I wish them the best in their future endeavors,” he added.

Schmitter emphasized that the new board composition reflects a strategic emphasis on aligning the joint organization with the future of television, especially the streaming industry.