Groupe Rossel and DPG Media Acquire RTL Belgium

BRUSSELS — Groupe Rossel and DPG Media have reached an agreement with RTL Group to take over RTL Belgium.

According to reports, the duo will take over three television stations, RTL-TVi, Club RTL and Plug RTL; two radio stations, Bel RTL and Radio Contact; and digital-only radio station, Mint. In addition, the deal includes the RTL Play streaming service, the RTLInfo.be website and the IP advertising network.

In a statement released at the end of June, the new shareholders said the move will allow them to focus on the accelerated digital transformation of RTL Belgium’s TV and radio stations.

“DPG Media, Groupe Rossel and RTL Belgium have teamed up on several occasions in the past,” said Christian Van Thillo, DPG Media’s executive chairman. “We are now taking on an ambitious project that will reinforce the group’s digital transformation. The new configuration will let us serve our advertisers better than ever, and I’m looking forward to this.”

Bernard Marchant, CEO of Groupe Rossel added that “with this acquisition, based on a shared vision and ambition, we’ll structurally reinforce radio and TV landscape in Belgium. The audience and advertisers need a creative and dynamic audiovisual offering on all platforms, and we’re happy to start this project together with DPG Media in a renewed strategical partnership, combining our expertise to speed up the digital transformation of RTL Belgium.”

DPG Media operates radio stations Joe, Qmusic and digital station Willy. Groupe Rossel is active in the North of France with Champagne FM, Happy Fm and RDL radio.