UBC Sees Strong Growth In Ad Revenues

Digital radio broadcaster and programme producer, UBC Media Group, has announced an increase of 39% in advertising revenues year on year for the first six months of 2005. The company’s fortunes have been boosted by a strong first quarter with trading “significantly” higher than last year.

Speaking at the group’s annual meeting, John Hodson, chairman of UBC, said: “The first quarter has seen revenue growth significantly ahead, against the same period last year, across the Commissioned Programming, Syndicated Programming and Radio Services divisions.”

UBC is optimistic about its performance in the coming year, with Hodson adding: “The Board are satisfied with the performance of the company, which is in line with expectations, and we believe the prospects for the year ahead are positive.”

Earlier this month, UBC revealed that second quarter revenues for 2005 grew by 22% on quarter one last year in the face of a 12% decline for industry revenues as a whole over the same period.

The firm’s pre-tax losses looked equally optimistic, with a total of £1.16 million for the year to 31 March, compared with a loss of £1.5 million in the previous year, while turnover continued to rise, adding £2.67 million to last year’s total to reach £15.96 million.

The Group also revealed this morning that its Unique Interactive Unit, which develops software for digital radio operators had signed a contract with US radio technology group, iBiquity Digital Corp.

Commenting on the deal, Simon Cole, UBC’s chief executive officer said: “The US radio market is enormous compared with the UK market. We are very excited about the potential for digital radio and are pleased that we have been chosen to work with iBiquity to assist them with their development of advanced services for HD Radio.”

UBC Media Group: 020 7453 16001 www.ubcmedia.com