US production drives ProSieben’s content business

Revenues from producing in the US and prodco acquisitions have driven significant growth in ProSiebenSat.1’s international business.

The German-based media group’s content production and global sales division posted a 38% year-on-year increase in 2016 revenues of €362 million (US$382 million). EBIDTA profit increased 87%, taking the total to €47 million.

“The increase in revenues was based on both acquisitions and organic growth, to which the successful US production business made a particularly high contribution,” the company stated.

ProSieben has been building a stable of production companies in Europe and the US through its content arm Red Arrow Entertainment Group, which is also a major international distributor.

In the past year Red Arrow has acquired US-based Building Alaska prodco Orion Entertainment, and its other US companies include Fabrik and Kinetic Content.

Munich-based ProSieben, has reorganised its business in recent times to focus more on digital and revenue streams beyond TV advertising.

Digital sales increased 19%, taking the total to €442 million. Core German broadcasting revenues were up 3% at €2.2 billion.

The company reported an overall year-on-year increase of 17% in annual revenues if €3.8 billion. EBITDA was up 10% at €1 billion.

Looking ahead the media giant said it will generate high single-digit increases in its 2017 revenues.

Thomas Ebeling (pictured), who is preparing to leave ProSieben when his current deal expires, said: “ProSiebenSat.1 is the first media group to systematically combine television, in-house produced content, digital entertainment and commerce, and to use the resulting synergies.

“To this end, we will continue integrating our portfolio and using all sales and distribution channels from TV and digital to mobile.”