From David Del Valle in Madrid

Third quarter results for Tele 5 has reaffirmed the Mediaset-controlled channel as the most profitable in Spain, both in audience ratings and in profits. The company made a net profit of E262.8 million until September, 14.6 per cent more than the same period last year.

Total revenues rose 10.0 per cent to E770.9 million from E700.8 million, with gross advertising revenues up 9.6 per cent at E750.5 million. Total operating costs rose 6.7 per cent to E409.4 million and EBITDA increased 13.7 per cent to E366.1 million.

In comparison, its main rival in the Spanish TV market – Antena 3 TV -experienced a 38.3 per cent drop in nine-month net profit as advertising revenues fell and costs rose following its struggle to attract viewers and reverse the downward trend in ratings. The channel claimed an average audience share of 17.7 per cent up to September in comparison with 19.8 per cent the same period last year.

The net benefit reached E133 million, 38.3 per cent down, with sales growing at 1.6 per cent, up to E734 million, although advertising revenues dropped by 1 per cent up to E595 million. The quest for attractive content has raised programming costs 6.9 per cent to E511 million for the first nine months of the year, though the rate slowed to 4.7 per cent in the third quarter.

In terms of audience ratings, Tele 5 scored an average of 21.5 per cent in October, followed by TVE 1, with 17.1 per cent; Antena 3, with 16.2 per cent; Regional channels, with 14.6 per cent; thematic channels, with 11.7 per cent; Cuatro, with 7.4 per cent, La Sexta, with 4.5 per cent, and La 2, with 4.4 per cent.

Categories: Articles, Business, Results