Germany’s Constantin posts 15% revenue boost

Germany’s Constantin Medien, which operates the SPORT1 free TV channel, has boosted its second quarter sales by 14.9% year-on-year.

The firm’s revenue for Q2 2014 were €110.3 million (US$147.4 million), compared to the €96 million posted in the same period the year before.

Furthermore, the company swung into profit before tax, posting earnings of €7.1 million. This compares with the €300,000 loss in 2013, and was attributed to growth in part to its sports unit, which includes the FTA net SPORT1, pay TV channel Sport1+, stateside channel Sport1 US and prodco Plazamedia.

Constantin’s film unit, which includes its drama and non-fiction TV production assets, posted revenues of €63.4 million, 25.5% higher than in 2013.

“Pleasing progress was made in the sports segment: The SPORT1 platforms – whether free-TV, pay-TV, online, mobile, digital radio or social media – are successful in their markets and continue to grow,” said Constantin CEO Bernhard Burgener. “The strategic course that we have been following for almost two years in the sports business is the right one.”