Viacom Italia sees 21% growth in revenues in 2017
April 13, 2018
From Branislav Pekic in Rome
Viacom Italia closed 2017 with total revenues of €67.9 million (+20.6% on 2016) and profits of €4.7 million (€2.5 million in 2016).
Contributing to the positive result were the broadcaster’s free-to-air channels, and Paramount Channel in particular, distributed via DTT in Italy, reports daily Italia Oggi.
In fact, during the financial year 2017 (which ended on 30 September), pay-TV revenues (for distribution of Viacom’s channels by Sky Italia) amounted to €37.8 million (-3.8%), while free-to-air TV revenues (financed by advertising) amounted to €21.1 million (+151% year-on-year). Digital revenues accounted for only €369.000 (-31.1%).
In the free-to-air segment, Viacom Italia owns Paramount Channel and VH-1, a 50% stake in children’s channel Super!, and Spike (launched after the closing of the financial statements).
In the pay-TV sector, the group has a five-year agreement, expiring in June 2020, with Sky Italia for the exclusive distribution of the channels Nickelodeon, Nick jr, Teen Nick, Comedy Central, MTV Music and MTV.
Viacom Italia also has a share of revenues from content supply contracts with Timvision, Vodafone TV and OnMobile Global Spain. In addition, there are also the revenues from VIMN Advertising and Brand Solutions that collects advertising for both Viacom Italia and third-party channels.
Viacom Italia is thus the sixth largest TV broadcaster in Italy in terms of 24-hour share (close to 3%).
For 2018, the management of the broadcaster expects to close the year with an improved EBIT than in 2017 (€5.6 million). However, for the following years, the accounts could worsen due to the introduction of the so-called “Franceschini decree” that imposes a minimum share of content produced in Europe.