Bertelsmann, which already owns 90% of the company, offered minority shareholders €44 (£27) a share for the remaining 10% of RTL.
This offer was opposed by minority shareholders based in Luxembourg, who are already suing Bertelsmann over a previous deal. They are trying to force the German company to increase its offer price, which was set when it bought Pearson's 22% stake in the group.
However, increasing the offer would mean that Bertelsmann would have to pay more to Pearson for its stake.
Bertelsmann also ran into opposition from regulators in Brussels and Luxembourg, where the company is listed, because they would not allow Bertelsmann to make an offer under the same terms as the Pearson deal.
Meanwhile, Bertelsmann said it intends to maintain and reserve the right to increase its percentage shareholding in RTL Group, while "continuing to observe the rights of minority shareholders".
It has also said it will continue to buy free-floated shares in the same way it recently bought 785,000 shares on the open market.
The decision scuppers Bertelsmann's plans to take RTL private, but will leave the German company €680m to spend on other acquisitions.
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