Profit and revenues down at FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia has reported a year-on-year declines in revenue and profit. The producer and distributor blamed ‘phasing effects’ – programmes that have been ordered but not yet aired – in Germany, the UK and Australia.

FremantleMedia has reorganised in recent months, creating a new kids and family division and moving other activities previously overseen by FremantleMedia Enterprises to its regional operations.

The company reported first quarter revenues of €303 million (US$390 million) compared with €311 million in the same period a year earlier. Profit was €10 million compared with €13 million.

Parent group RTL said that, operationally, FremantleMedia’s performance was “generally in line” with the first quarter of 2012. A spokesman told TBI that the performance of FremantleMedia cannot be accurately judged on one quarter’s results.

FremantleMedia touted the success of its digital services, noting that its YouTube channels received 1.2 billion views in the quarter, an 86% increase year-on-year.

RTL, meanwhile, recorded overall quarterly revenue of €1.3 billion, up 0.5% year-on-year. Profit increased 8.4%, taking the total to €207 million.

The company said that advertising markets remain challenging across its footprint with only Germany in positive territory.

The revenue and profit uptick was largely attributable to the sale of handball TV rights by UFA Sports and an improved performance at RTL Germany, which reported a 22% increase in quarterly profit of €134 million.

Profit was down at RTL’s French free-to-air broadcaster M6, which posted EBITA of €60 million compared with €63 million a year earlier. The decline came as the wider French TV advertising market declined by almost 11%.

RTL Nederland reported revenue of €92 million, a €2 million year-on-year increase, but profit was down by €1 million, taking the total to €4 million.