RTL Group, owners of Channel Five, has seen overall revenues for 2005 increase by 4.9% reaching €5,115 million, with earnings before interest enjoying a 6.9% rise year on year.
Despite mixed advertising conditions in Europe continuing, RTL reported an increase in profit of 42.6% for 2005, hitting €616 million, while net income jumped by 47% to €537 million.
Commenting on the Group’s performance, Gerhard Zeiler, chief executive officer of RTL, said: “2005 has been another record year for us. RTL Group improved all our key figures despite mixed market conditions. Earnings and revenues are up, and we improved our margin.”
Zeiler added: “We continue to have the potential to create further value for our shareholders based on our three-pronged strategy: To further strengthen the channel families in the markets in which we already operate, to increase non-advertising revenue streams and to expand geographically.”
RTL completed full control of Five last September, after agreeing with United Business Media to acquire the outstanding 35.4% shareholding for £247.6 million (see RTL Seizes Full Control Of Five).
In its last trading statement, RTL revealed that the broadcaster had seen its revenues increase by 13.2% year on year for the six months ending 30 June 2005, reaching €146 million, up from €129 million a year ago.
According to RTL Group, pre-tax profits for Five rose by €10 million during the first half of last year, reaching €16 million, up from €6 million, enjoying a “record performance.”
Related Links
