The report voluntarily aligns with the principles of the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). 

Progress on our sustainability targets 

With the publication of this year’s sustainability report, RTL Group continues to enhance transparency and traceability of its ESG performance. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the Group’s progress on its material sustainability topics – with a clear focus on our targets and actions. 

Following last year’s milestone publication of the first CSRD-compliant report, this year’s reporting cycle further refined and improved internal reporting processes, data quality and governance structures. The report forms an integral part of our annual report and was audited by KPMG with limited assurance. 

Environment: Climate action and emissions reduction 

RTL Group is committed to contributing to the international goal of limiting global warming. According to our climate target, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reported in the base year 2018 are to be reduced by 50 per cent by 2030. Unavoidable Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are to be offset by 2030. 

In 2025, 96 per cent of electricity purchased was obtained from renewable energy sources using green electricity tariffs or guarantees of origin, showing a clear improvement compared to 2019, when green electricity amounted to 16 per cent. 

We’re increasingly integrating sustainable production standards and tools to support more resource-efficient processes and improve transparency around GHG emissions. Numerous TV and film productions were again certified according to regional sustainability standards. 

Social: Workforce development and diversity 

RTL Group’s workforce remains gender-balanced overall, with 54 per cent women and 46 per cent men in 2025. 

Our long-term ambition is for women and men to be represented equally at all levels. By 2030, at least 40 per cent of top management positions are to be held by women. At the end of 2025, women represented 30 per cent of top management positions. Further efforts in talent development, succession planning and inclusive leadership remain key to achieving the 2030 target. 

Beyond gender representation, RTL Group’s social commitment extends to fostering equal opportunities and inclusion. In the UK, Fremantle celebrated five years of partnership with the TV Collective’s Breakthrough Leaders initiative, which empowers over 200 television and digital professionals from underrepresented communities. 

Groupe M6 continued to offer weekly French sign language classes – an integral part of its disability inclusion programme for nearly 20 years – and took part in European Disability Employment Week (EDEW) with workshops on sign language and invisible disabilities. 

All business units are covered by health and safety practices. 87 per cent of employees are covered by a structured health and safety management system that meets predefined Group criteria, including formal policies, integrated risk assessments, defined roles and responsibilities, measurable targets and, where applicable, is aligned or certified according to international standards such as ISO 45001. 

Governance: Strengthened governance and compliance 

As part of the Group’s anti-corruption efforts and newly rolled out training, 12,021 colleagues were nominated for the online training course “Protection against corruption”, with 68 per cent completing the training in 2025 (2024: 59 per cent). In addition, in-person training sessions took place. The continued roll-out supports awareness of integrity and responsible business conduct across the organisation. During the reporting year, there were 0 convictions for corruption or bribery.  

Responsible content and societal impact 

Beyond environmental, social and governance metrics, RTL Group continued to strengthen its societal impact in 2025 by promoting responsible content, safeguarding editorial independence and advancing innovation in AI and data governance, across our platforms and markets – including through initiatives like: 

• RTL Group’s flagship fundraising events (RTL-Spendenmarathon and Télévie in Luxembourg) raised €24.1 million for charity in 2025 

• AI-supported content monitoring tools and filtering systems (e.g. JusProg, Mer:maid) strengthening youth protection 

• Partnerships (e.g. Stiftung Lesen, Mediasmart, CLEMI, #UseTheNews) and youth-focused education programmes supporting media literacy 

• Awareness-raising campaigns: ‘Diversity Week’ and ‘Green Week’ 

Strengthened reporting processes 

Building on the foundations laid last year, RTL Group has further enhanced its sustainability reporting processes through cross-functional collaboration. Under the leadership of CFO Björn Bauer, experts from HR, Legal, Finance/Consolidation, Communications & Investor Relations, Compliance, Internal Audit, IT and Risk Management continue to ensure that sustainability data is robust, transparent and aligned with CSRD requirements. 

The sustainability report was managed by Katharina Kleff, Senior Manager Sustainability Reporting, and Rebecca Haase, Senior Manager CR and Communications, within RTL Group’s Communications & Investor Relations department. 

RTL Group remains committed to driving measurable progress, continuously improving data quality, and embedding sustainability even further into its business.