12-03-2009

CEE channels grow ProSeibenSat.1

By FNE Staff

    Despite a drop in consolidated revenues for the ProSiebenSat.1 Media group, stations in Hungary and Romania accounted for a growing percentage of the corporations's revenues.

    ProSiebenSat.1 operates TV2 in Hungary and Prima TV in Romania. Central Europe accounted for 5.4% of revenues in 2008, up from 4.8% in 2007, according to the company's end of year statement.

    However both stations saw a drop in national audience shares. TV2, which went "extensive restructuring" in 2008, fell from 23.6% in 2007 to 21.6% in 2008. The company nevertheless credited TV2 for its "good stand-alone performance in an increasing fragmented market." TV2's CEO Zoltan Vardy said profits had increased slightly and that the stations revenues rose 1.3%, to HUF26.5 billion (€90 million).

    Romania's Prima TV saw a drop in audience share from 6.8% in 2007 to 6.1% in 2008. The company said Prima TV was "challenged by strong multi-channel competitors."

    ProSiebenSat.1 had a 5.7% drop in revenues, coming in at €3.054 billion for 2008.