ITV

Tag: EBIT

  • Havas gets listed independently on Euronext Amsterdam

    Havas gets listed independently on Euronext Amsterdam

    MUMBAI: It’s got its independence at last. Advertising and marketing services giant Havas today announced the successful listing of its ordinary shares on the regulated market of Euronext in Amsterdam under the ticker HAVAS. This follows the completion of its spin-off from Vivendi and the distribution of Havas’s ordinary shares to Vivendi shareholders on a one-for-one basis, approved by them  at the combined general shareholders’ meeting  on 9 December 2024. 

    Havas chairman & CEO Yannick Bolloré said: “The successful completion of Havas’s spin-off and listing on Euronext Amsterdam marks a pivotal step towards the realisation of our long-term vision. It gives us additional flexibility to accelerate our growth across our key business lines and strengthens our unique position within the dynamic marketing and communications industry. Our converged strategy, enhanced by exceptional talent, data-driven insights, cutting-edge technology, and targeted acquisitions, places us in the best possible position to be even more creative and strategic, and deliver robust financial performance, creating long-term value for our shareholders. I would like to thank our talented teams for all their hard work and commitment throughout this process, and all our clients for their trust.” 

    Through its converged strategy, has drawn up a three pronged way forward to drive growth, creativity and innovation by focusing on three key priorities: 

    1. Strategic acquisitions: Continue its disciplined approach to acquisitions, targeting high-growth markets and expanding its expertise in data analytics, digital transformation, and AI. 
    2. Investment in innovation: Prioritise the development of capabilities in data, technology, and AI to deliver cutting-edge solutions, ensuring it remains at the forefront of the industry. 
    3. Increased Collaboration: Implement a group-wide operating system to fuse all Havas’ global expertise, tools and capabilities and further integrate its networks and agencies worldwide. 

    As disclosed at the capital markets day held on 19 November  2024: 
    * Havas is aiming to achieve an Adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 14 per cent  and 15 per cent by no later than the financial year ending 31 December 2028. Havas is also aiming to generate contributions to net revenue from new acquisitions averaging between €40 million and €50 million per year over the medium term, driven by the execution of the group’s acquisition strategy. 

    * Havas believes it can achieve the following as of and for the year ending 31 December 2024: 
    o A change in net revenue on an organic basis ranging between a decrease of one per cent  and no change, compared to the year ended 31 December 2023; 
    o Adjusted EBIT in excess of €330 million, reflecting management of operating expenses (such as personnel and travel expenses); 
    o Net cash and cash equivalents (excluding lease liabilities and earn-out and buy-out obligations) of around €150 million.

    * For the year ending 31 December, 2025, Havas believes it can achieve the following: 
    o Net revenue on an organic basis growth in excess of two per cent, compared to the year ending 31 December 2024; 
    o Adjusted EBIT margin ranging between 12.5 per cent and 13.5 per cent 

    Regarding its dividend policy, Havas says it intends to provide a regular return on capital to its shareholders through an annual dividend payment. This payment is expected to represent around 40 per cent of the net income (group share) for the relevant financial year, starting in 2025 for the financial year ending 31 December 2024. 

  • Q3-17: Jio affects Airtel revenue; Digital TV segment numbers up

    Q3-17: Jio affects Airtel revenue; Digital TV segment numbers up

    BENGALURU: Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) reported 3 percent decline in total revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The drop was partially affected by a drop in revenue due to divestments of its Africa operating units, tower assets sale and merger of Bangladesh operations. However, like in the previous quarter, Reliance Jio’s entry has resulted in a drop in the company’s India mobile revenues which contribute a lion’s share to overall revenue.

    Airtel MD and CEO of India and South Asia regions Gopal Vittal said, “The quarter has seen turbulence due to the continued predatory pricing by a new operator. The present termination costs at 14 paise which are well below cost has resulted in a tsunami of minutes terminating into our network. This has led to an unprecedented year on year revenue decline for the industry, pressure on margins and a serious impact on the financial health of the sector. At the same time our commitment to provide a superior experience to our customers has led to revenue market share crossing a lifetime high of 33 percent. Airtel revenues grew by 1.8 percent Y-o-Y and our non-mobile businesses continue to grow at a healthy clip and now contribute a sizable 24 percent of our total revenues.”

    In consonance with Vittal statement, Airtel’s Digital TV Services segment (DTH segment) reported 17.7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating revenues for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). Also, Operating Profit (Earnings Before interest and Tax – EBIT) of the DTH segment in the current quarter increased 27.1 percent year-over-year (y-o-y).

    Airtel DTH reported revenues of Rs 873.5 crore in Q3-17 and Rs 742.2 crore in Q3-16. EBIT for the corresponding periods was Rs 68.4 crore (7.8 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) and Rs 53.8 crore (7.2 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue), respectively.

    EBIDTA in Q3-17 also increased y-o-y – by 22.3 percent to Rs 302.6 crore (34.6 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) in the current quarter from Rs 247.4 crore (33.3 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue).

    Subscription numbers, ARPU

    Airtel’s DTH segment added 14.82 lakh subscribers between Q3-16 and Q3-17, or a 17.3 percent y-o-y increase. It had 125.88 lakh subscribers as on 31 December 2016. Q-o-q, the segment witnessed a 1.5 percent growth (1.83 lakh adds) in subscribers from 124.05 lakh in Q2-17.

    ARPU in Q3-17 increased to Rs 232 from Rs 229 in the corresponding year ago quarter, but remained flat q-o-q as compared to the immediate trailing quarter.

    Airtel numbers

    Bharti Airtel Limited saw a 3 percent decline in operating revenue to Rs 23335.7crore in Q3-17 as compared to Rs 24065.9 crore in Q3-16.. Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter declined to less than half (declined by 54.5 percent) y-o-y to Rs 504 crore (2.2 percent margin) from Rs 1,108 crore (4.6 percent margin). The company attributes decline in profits to net interest costs of Rs 1,810 crore that have risen from Rs 1,360 crore in the corresponding quarter last year largely due to increased spectrum related interest costs. Further, forex and derivative losses for the quarter came in at Rs 126 crore compared to Rs 57 crore in the corresponding quarter last year as well as exceptional items net losses of Rs 114 crore.

  • Q3-17: Jio affects Airtel revenue; Digital TV segment numbers up

    Q3-17: Jio affects Airtel revenue; Digital TV segment numbers up

    BENGALURU: Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited (Airtel) reported 3 percent decline in total revenue for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter) as compared to the corresponding year ago quarter. The drop was partially affected by a drop in revenue due to divestments of its Africa operating units, tower assets sale and merger of Bangladesh operations. However, like in the previous quarter, Reliance Jio’s entry has resulted in a drop in the company’s India mobile revenues which contribute a lion’s share to overall revenue.

    Airtel MD and CEO of India and South Asia regions Gopal Vittal said, “The quarter has seen turbulence due to the continued predatory pricing by a new operator. The present termination costs at 14 paise which are well below cost has resulted in a tsunami of minutes terminating into our network. This has led to an unprecedented year on year revenue decline for the industry, pressure on margins and a serious impact on the financial health of the sector. At the same time our commitment to provide a superior experience to our customers has led to revenue market share crossing a lifetime high of 33 percent. Airtel revenues grew by 1.8 percent Y-o-Y and our non-mobile businesses continue to grow at a healthy clip and now contribute a sizable 24 percent of our total revenues.”

    In consonance with Vittal statement, Airtel’s Digital TV Services segment (DTH segment) reported 17.7 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating revenues for the quarter ended 31 December 2016 (Q3-17, current quarter). Also, Operating Profit (Earnings Before interest and Tax – EBIT) of the DTH segment in the current quarter increased 27.1 percent year-over-year (y-o-y).

    Airtel DTH reported revenues of Rs 873.5 crore in Q3-17 and Rs 742.2 crore in Q3-16. EBIT for the corresponding periods was Rs 68.4 crore (7.8 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) and Rs 53.8 crore (7.2 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue), respectively.

    EBIDTA in Q3-17 also increased y-o-y – by 22.3 percent to Rs 302.6 crore (34.6 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) in the current quarter from Rs 247.4 crore (33.3 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue).

    Subscription numbers, ARPU

    Airtel’s DTH segment added 14.82 lakh subscribers between Q3-16 and Q3-17, or a 17.3 percent y-o-y increase. It had 125.88 lakh subscribers as on 31 December 2016. Q-o-q, the segment witnessed a 1.5 percent growth (1.83 lakh adds) in subscribers from 124.05 lakh in Q2-17.

    ARPU in Q3-17 increased to Rs 232 from Rs 229 in the corresponding year ago quarter, but remained flat q-o-q as compared to the immediate trailing quarter.

    Airtel numbers

    Bharti Airtel Limited saw a 3 percent decline in operating revenue to Rs 23335.7crore in Q3-17 as compared to Rs 24065.9 crore in Q3-16.. Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter declined to less than half (declined by 54.5 percent) y-o-y to Rs 504 crore (2.2 percent margin) from Rs 1,108 crore (4.6 percent margin). The company attributes decline in profits to net interest costs of Rs 1,810 crore that have risen from Rs 1,360 crore in the corresponding quarter last year largely due to increased spectrum related interest costs. Further, forex and derivative losses for the quarter came in at Rs 126 crore compared to Rs 57 crore in the corresponding quarter last year as well as exceptional items net losses of Rs 114 crore.

  • Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    BENGALURU: Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited’s Digital TV Services segment (DTH segment) reported 21.9 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating revenues for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). Also, Operating Profit (Earnings Before interest and Tax – EBIT) of the DTH segment in the current quarter more than quadrupled (by 4.11 times) y-o-y.

    Airtel DTH reported revenues of Rs 854.5 crore in Q2-17 and Rs 706.8 crore in Q2-16. EBIT for the corresponding periods was Rs 69.9 crore (8.2 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) and Rs 1.7 crore (2.4 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) respectively.

    However, quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) the segment reported 42.7 percent drop in EBIT for the current quarter as compared to Rs 121.9 crore (14.6 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) in the immediate trailing quarter. Revenue in Q2-17 was 2.1 percent higher q-o-q than Rs 836.9 crore in Q1-17.

    Subscription numbers, ARPU

    Airtel’s DTH segment added 18.29 lakh subscribers between Q2-16 and Q2-17, or a 17.3 percent y-o-y increase. The company says that this is the highest growth in percentage terms over seventeen quarters. It had 124.05 lakh subscribers as on 30 September 2016. Q-o-q, the segment witnessed a 2.1 percent growth (2.56 lakh adds) in subscribers from 121.49 lakh in Q1-17.

    ARPU in Q2-17 increased to Rs 232 from Rs 224 in the corresponding year ago quarter, but declined marginally (by Re 1) from Rs 233 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Airtel numbers

    Bharti Airtel Limited saw a 3.4 percent increase in operating revenue to Rs 24,651.5 crore in Q2-17 as compared to Rs 23,835.7 crore in Q2-16, but witnessed a 3.5 percent q-o-q decline from Rs 25,546.5 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter declined 4.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,460.7 crore (5.9 percent margin) from Rs 1,536.1 crore (6.4 percent margin) and was almost flat (0.1 percent decline) q-o-q as compared to Rs 1,462 crore (5.7 percent margin).

    The JIO effect – Company speak.

    In a statement, Airtel MD and CEO, India & South Asia, Gopal Vittal said, “Our strong focus on enhancing customer experience and building a robust network has resulted in continued acceleration of revenue market share. Overall revenue momentum in India has been sustained during Q2 with a growth of 10.1 percent y-o-y. This is primarily due to the strong performance of our non-mobile businesses which grew in aggregate at 18.8 percent y-o-y, albeit our mobile business has experienced a slowdown in growths due to free services being offered by a new operator. But, we remain excited about the long term opportunity in India and believe that with the recently acquired spectrum, we are well positioned to lead India’s data revolution”.

     

  • Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    Q2-17: Airtel Digital TV revenue up, sees highest subscriber growth

    BENGALURU: Indian telecom major Bharti Airtel Limited’s Digital TV Services segment (DTH segment) reported 21.9 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) increase in operating revenues for the quarter ended 30 September 2016 (Q2-17, current quarter). Also, Operating Profit (Earnings Before interest and Tax – EBIT) of the DTH segment in the current quarter more than quadrupled (by 4.11 times) y-o-y.

    Airtel DTH reported revenues of Rs 854.5 crore in Q2-17 and Rs 706.8 crore in Q2-16. EBIT for the corresponding periods was Rs 69.9 crore (8.2 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) and Rs 1.7 crore (2.4 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) respectively.

    However, quarter-over-quarter (q-o-q) the segment reported 42.7 percent drop in EBIT for the current quarter as compared to Rs 121.9 crore (14.6 percent margin of the segment’s operating revenue) in the immediate trailing quarter. Revenue in Q2-17 was 2.1 percent higher q-o-q than Rs 836.9 crore in Q1-17.

    Subscription numbers, ARPU

    Airtel’s DTH segment added 18.29 lakh subscribers between Q2-16 and Q2-17, or a 17.3 percent y-o-y increase. The company says that this is the highest growth in percentage terms over seventeen quarters. It had 124.05 lakh subscribers as on 30 September 2016. Q-o-q, the segment witnessed a 2.1 percent growth (2.56 lakh adds) in subscribers from 121.49 lakh in Q1-17.

    ARPU in Q2-17 increased to Rs 232 from Rs 224 in the corresponding year ago quarter, but declined marginally (by Re 1) from Rs 233 in the immediate trailing quarter.

    Airtel numbers

    Bharti Airtel Limited saw a 3.4 percent increase in operating revenue to Rs 24,651.5 crore in Q2-17 as compared to Rs 23,835.7 crore in Q2-16, but witnessed a 3.5 percent q-o-q decline from Rs 25,546.5 crore. Profit after tax (PAT) in the current quarter declined 4.9 percent y-o-y to Rs 1,460.7 crore (5.9 percent margin) from Rs 1,536.1 crore (6.4 percent margin) and was almost flat (0.1 percent decline) q-o-q as compared to Rs 1,462 crore (5.7 percent margin).

    The JIO effect – Company speak.

    In a statement, Airtel MD and CEO, India & South Asia, Gopal Vittal said, “Our strong focus on enhancing customer experience and building a robust network has resulted in continued acceleration of revenue market share. Overall revenue momentum in India has been sustained during Q2 with a growth of 10.1 percent y-o-y. This is primarily due to the strong performance of our non-mobile businesses which grew in aggregate at 18.8 percent y-o-y, albeit our mobile business has experienced a slowdown in growths due to free services being offered by a new operator. But, we remain excited about the long term opportunity in India and believe that with the recently acquired spectrum, we are well positioned to lead India’s data revolution”.

     

  • Despite lower revenues, Eros International delivers blockbuster results for Q1-2014

    Despite lower revenues, Eros International delivers blockbuster results for Q1-2014

    BENGALURU: Last year (FY-2013), the company entered the Rs 1000 crore club with revenue of Rs 1067.75 crore. In Q1-2014, three movies – Raanjhaana, Go Goa Gone (GGG) and Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani (YJHD) raked in the moolah at the box office for Eros International Media Limited (Eros).

     

    The company says that theatrical revenues during Q1-2014 have showcased the success of global releases of Raanjhaana, GGG and YJHD (Overseas). Raanjhaana achieved an impressive box office collection of Rs 100 crore worldwide; YJHD had an overseas collection of more than Rs 60 crore, while GGG had a worldwide collection of Rs 43 crore.

     

    Eros announced consolidated income for Q1-2014 at Rs 194.2 crore, 25.1 per cent lower than the Rs 259.3 crore during the corresponding period in 2013 (Q1-2013) and 9.2 per cent lower than the Rs 213.9 crore for Q4-2013 (q-o-q).

     

    During Q1-2014, Eros released 12 films – (seven Hindi and five Tamil and other regional languages), almost half of the 23 films – (five Hindi and 18 Tamil and other regional films) in Q1-2013 and almost a third less than the 17 films – (four Hindi and 13 Tamil and other regional films) in Q4-2013.

     

    Eros managing director Sunil Lulla said, “Eros has delivered an encouraging Q1-2014 result in context of the film mix that it released in the Q1-2013. Raanjhaana, YJHD and GGG all delivered at the box office and were subsequently monetised through other revenue streams as well. Relative to their budget, the mix of films performed extremely well and demonstrates our ability to scale and change our mix to take advantage of market trends.

     

    Let us look at some of Eros’ other figures for Q1-2014

     

    Expense for Q1-2014 at Rs 148.03 crore was 28.5 per cent lower than the Rs 207 crore for Q1-2013 and 14 per cent lower than the Rs 172.21 crore for Q4-2013.

    Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for Q1-2014 at Rs 46.1 crore was 11.9 per cent lower than the Rs 52.3 crore for Q1-2013 and 10.4 per cent more than the Rs 41.75 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    PAT (after minority) for Q4-2014 at Rs 29.3 crore was 6.7 per cent lower than the Rs 31.4 crore in Q1-2013 and 7.9 per cent lower than the Rs 31.8 crore for Q4-2013.

     

    Lulla said, “We are really excited about our collaboration with HBO and believe that the two premium channels will gain momentum with subscribers as we launch on further DTH and digital cable platform. The industry trends are testimony that premium content will be an important factor to drive demand and we are proud to be forerunners in that space.”

     

    “We continue to expand our film content through our diversified approach of acquiring a healthy mix of movies. Our current future slate remains well-funded and we have several high profile movies lined up like Kochadiyan, Ram Leela, Rambo Rajkumar, Happy Ending and a number of high concept movies that are slated to be released in FY-2014. Our business has a natural Q3 skew due to film releases around the festival season and this year is no different and we remain positive on the outlook for FY-2014,” added Lulla.

     

    Click here for EROS – Financial Report

     

    Click here for EROS – EROS – Earnings Release

  • Star operating profit down 36% in Dec 06 quarter

    Star operating profit down 36% in Dec 06 quarter

    MUMBAI: In the first contraction in profit that Star has had since it began generating profits in early 2003, News Corp’s Asian arm has reported second quarter operating income down 36 per cent from the same period a year ago.

    Though the quarter (up to 31 December 2006) saw growth in subscription revenues, it was more than offset by a decline in advertising revenue at Star Plus.
    On the distribution side, the biggest initiative by Star India during the quarter was the $ 175 million deal with Nimbus to distribute its channels.

    According to Hong Kong-based Media Partners Asia (MPA), operating profit or EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) was down 36 per cent year on year to under $ 30 million. Operating profit in the September 06 quarter was up 8 per cent YoY. MPA estimates for the first half of the year show operating profit down 28 per cent YoY to $41 million, MPA estimates.

    A point of note of course is that the corresponding period in 2005 not only had the second season of KBC on Star Plus but also saw the first season of Nach Baliye on Star One providing a strong push to advertising sales revenues. Still, there is no getting away from the fact that softness in ratings at Star plus is also contributing to revenue declines.

    Speaking about Star’s performance during a conference call with analysts after the announcement of News Corp’s results, president & COO Peter Chernin said: “When the third season (of KBC) did finally launch and the numbers were extremely strong, up more than 25 per cent over last year’s premier, which should give us great momentum for the second half of the year and lead to not only higher advertising results but higher ancillary revenues led by phone revenue from additional calls that come in with the show.”

    Chernin also made a mention of the executive roiling that has been going on at Star when he said, “You’ve also read that we made some changes to senior management, changes which we think will strengthen our operations and improve our programming going forward.

    “… I think we have aggressive expectations for Star. Beginning on India, we’d like to see continued growth in our channels. We expect the growth of Tata Sky (in which News Corp holds 20 per cent) to continue. I think the most significant impact digital (DTH, CAS) will have on the company is growth of revenues inside Star as we see additional subscribers and an ability to, you know, get higher declarations of subs from the cable/pay-TV operators. We’ll also see new channel launches there (Tata Sky), and also important new ancillary businesses in the Internet, production and movies, et cetera. So we’re optimistic about Star going forward in India. “

    News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch was equally gung ho about the expectations on the DTH front: “Tata Sky DTH in India at 500,000+ subscribers, will hit 1 million during 1H 07, adding 8,000 subs per day at peak levels, averaging about 5-6,000 per day. I’d just say that Tata Sky is [going] a lot faster than we had budgeted for.”

    Commenting on the expectations from the rest of Asia, Chernin said, “Additionally, we’re also ambitious in other Asian countries, particularly Indonesia, where we’ve recently launched. We recently acquired a television network which we’re optimistic. A very big country. We’re hoping that could be the next India… and also just continuing growth in other territories, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and expanding into others.”

    On the China side, Murdoch was almost diffident when he said: “We don’t do very well in China. We have an interest — we just sold half of it in Phoenix (China Mobile deal, $165 million sale). We’ve got more than our money back [in our] total investment and we’re still there. We brought in a new partner China Mobile [inaudible] relations and we think it will do nicely. And we have our own little channel, XK [Xing Kong], which is produced in Shanghai and distributed through the southeast. That’s pretty much a break-even operation.

    “We are very [inaudible] all I would say there is that nobody and I challenge anyone to argue this, none of the leading American companies or British media companies have made any impact there yet. It’s possible that, I mean there MySpace finds room there… It may be a MySpace China, which we can license, but we’re just feeling our way there. It’s a vast market, but it’s certainly a very, very sensitive one and as we’ve seen what’s happened to Google there, what’s happened to eBay there, even to Yahoo. It is a very difficult market for outsiders.”

  • Sky launches a free broadband service for customers

    Sky launches a free broadband service for customers

    MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider BSkyB has launched free broadband for Sky customers. The company says that the launch sets new standards in quality, ease and savings.

    Unveiling its new broadband internet access service, Sky Broadband, at an event for analysts and investors the Company disclosed some information:

    Operating and Financial outlook
    • Pay-TV business on track to achieve 2010 targets
    • Clear strategy to build a scale broadband customer base, targeting revenues from high growth opportunities in online advertising, search and content and increasing penetration of additional products
    • Anticipated investment of £400 million of EBIT to be invested over the next three years
    • Broadband expected to be earnings enhancing in the year to 30 June 2010 independent of any Pay-TV benefits
    • Capital expenditure of approximately £250 million in first two years
    • Targetting broadband ROCE of 15 per cent for the year ended 2011 including initial cost of Easynet acquisition
    • Progressive dividend policy to be maintained across investment phase.

    BSkyB CEO James Murdoch said, “Sky Broadband is a compelling product which rewards our 8 million customers with a quality service offering flexibility and great value. Sky is ideally equipped to enter the large and growing markets of broadband and telephony and by pushing the boundaries of the home entertainment market, we will help our customers realise the full potential from technological convergence.

    “The business case is clear; we believe our investment will enhance top-line growth, be earnings enhancing from 2010 and with the benefits of scale, deliver increasingly attractive returns thereafter whilst offering substantial savings and compelling value to customers. This is a transformational new initiative for Sky.”

  • Bertelsmann reports strong growth in first-quarter revenues

    Bertelsmann reports strong growth in first-quarter revenues

    MUMBAI: International media company Bertelsmann recorded considerable growth in its revenue and operating results for the first quarter of 2006.

    Consolidated revenues rose by 17.3 per cent to €4.5 billion, versus €3.8 billion in the first three months of 2005. Bertelsmann achieved growth both in its European core markets and in the US.

    An essential contributor to this positive performance were the acquisitions made in 2005, which were not yet consolidated in the first quarter of 2005. Adjusted for portfolio and currency effects, revenue was up by 4.5 per cent. Operating EBIT grew by 35.2 per cent to €215 million (2005: €159 million), an increase that is attributable to positive business performance in the divisions. Bertelsmann confirms its forecast of a significant year-on-year improvement in revenue and result for fiscal year 2006.

    Bertelsmann’s CFO Thomas Rabe said, “Bertelsmann got off to an excellent start this year. The record first-quarter results continue the positive business development of 2005. Building on this strong foundation, Bertelsmann is well-equipped to meet the challenges of the future. We will pursue outside opportunities and continue to rely on healthy core businesses, systematic acquisitions and expansion to new markets.”

    Net income nearly doubled year on year, reaching €90 million after €48 million in the first quarter of 2005. Investments during the first quarter of 2006 amounted to €309 million (2005: €200 million). Economic debt at 31 March 2006 was €3.9 billion as expected (31 December 2005: €3.9 billion). The number of employees increased to 89,409 (31 December 2005: 88,516).

  • Pay TV reveunes sees growth in Canada; CRTC report

    Pay TV reveunes sees growth in Canada; CRTC report

    MUMBAI: The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has released its annual report indicating that the revenues and profits for Canada’s specialty and pay TV services have climbed steadily over the last five years.

    The reports signifies that on an average, from 2001 to 2005, revenues for these services increased by 10 per cent per year, and their earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), by 19.4 per cent.
    EBIT for specialty, pay and pay-per view services rose even more significantly over the last year, posting an increase of 31.5 per cent. They climbed from $418.2 million in 2004 to $549.9 million in 2005. Also, revenues reached almost $2.2 billion in 2005, an increase of 6.3 per cent over the previous year, due in part to increases in the number of subscribers and reporting units.

    More specifically, in 2005, revenues from cable distribution services grew by 4.7 per cent over 2004 from $886.9 to $928.4 million. Those for direct-to-home satellite distribution services (DTH) increased by 6.2 per cent, reaching $460.7 million in 2005, compared with $433.9 million in 2004. National advertising revenues rose by 8.7%, increasing from $691.5 million to $751.3 million.

    This year, the report includes a new component: it details programming and production spendings by type of program, as provided to the CRTC by most Canadian specialty services. It shows that, for Canadian programming, services spent $162.5 million on drama, $128.4 million on news, $206 million on other information programming, $116.9 million on sports, $38.3 million on musical and variety shows and $45 million on general interest programs.
    This report was produced using the financial statements of Canadian specialty, pay and pay-per-view services. It is one of a series of reports that the CRTC publishes annually in order to inform those interested in the state of the Canadian broadcasting industry.

    The CRTC is an independent, public authority which was established to sustain and promote Canadian culture and achieve key social and economic objectives by regulating and supervising Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest.