RTL Group, owner of Five, recorded growth in earnings of 12.3% in 2006, following strong performances in Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands.
Five made a €1 million (£680,000) loss in 2006, which RTL puts down to the slowdown in the advertising market and the cost of launching the two digital channels, Five Life and Five US.
Five’s revenues were down to £318 million in 2006, from £324 million in 2005.
Freemantle Media, RTL’s production arm, saw earnings before tax, interest and amortisation, grow 23% in 2006.
RTL said that its overall earnings in 2006 were up 12.3% to €851 million (£580 million).
Gerhard Zeiler, chief executive officer of RTL Group said: “2006 was a very satisfying year for RTL Group. Our biggest profit contributors – the German family of channels, M6 in France, FremantleMedia, RTL Nederland and Antena 3 in Spain – delivered particularly strong performances.
“RTL Group is preparing for the digital age by building multi-channel offerings in its key markets and by further increasing non-advertising revenue. For a content and brand company such as RTL Group, the digital world offers a lot of opportunities for new business models – be it video on demand, mobile TV, IPTV, or online communities.
“In 2007, our operations will step up their efforts to seize these opportunities. Now is the right time to try and test all new platforms and all new ways to the consumer.”
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