RTL to combine SpotX and Smartclip into single ad-tech outfit

RTL Group is to combine SpotX and Smartclip into a single integrated ad-tech company by the end of next year. The broadcast outfit said it would roll the combined platform across its operations and boost it with further acquisitions.

Guillaume de Posch and Bert Habets

RTL said that the combined SpotX-SmartCcip would focus ad-server development, addressable TV, bringing dynamic ad-insertion capabilities in house and close collaboration with the Group’s minority shareholdings, VideoAmp and Clypd.

Co-CEOs Guillaume de Posch and Bert Habets said that the “ambitious growth plan” for the advertising units was part of the acceleration of the company’s ‘total video’ strategy.

“We have now decided to combine both companies into one integrated ad-tech company by the end of 2018. We will roll out the platform across our operations and scale it up with further acquisitions and partnerships,” the pair said.

The move to combine the two advertising technology outfits follows the closing of RTL’s agreement to take full control of SpotX at the beginning of October.

RTL posted solid Q3 results on the back of a strong performance by its core German broadcast business. Group revenue was up 1.5% to €1.372 billion, due to higher revenue from Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland and Groupe M6. EBITDA however jumped by 17.4% to €263 million, with EBITDA from the German unit rising by 23.9% and M6 EBITDA jumping by 36.5%.

RTL’s investment in multichannel networks BroadbandTV and StyleHaul meanwhile continued to deliver for the broadcast group in the first nine months of the year.

Digital revenue for the first nine months was up 30.2% to €560 million, boosted by the sale of American Gods to Amazon Prime Video as well as the first fully consolidated revenues from Smartclip and Divimove.