Network Ten has posted a $312.2m loss for the 12 months to August 31 despite an improved ratings performance in 2015 with shows like Family Feud, Masterchef and The Bachelorette and The Bachelor.
While the overall loss is up on 2014’s $170m deficit, Ten (ASX: TEN) also reported an improvement in its earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) which went from a $79.3m loss last year to a loss of $12m this year.
Today’s results come as Ten’s management put the company into a trading halt to allow Foxtel to take up its shareholding, following last week’s approval by the competition and media watchdogs the ACCC and ACMA.
Ten’s revenues increased 4.6 per cent to $629.3m while the TV network’s costs decreased 6.5 per cent.
ADVERTISEMENT
Source: Ten investor presentation
Anderson
In a briefing for financial analysts this morning, Ten CEO Paul Anderson trumpeted the improvement in audience and revenue and the impact this had had on the network’s financial performance.
“The strategic goals for the Ten Network are very clear we are focused on improving our financial profitability, we will continue to grow our revenue across all platforms and invest prudentially and promptly,” said Anderson.
“We will continue to lead the industry on the digital and social media front engaging with audiences across all platforms. We will focus on working with MCN to improve our P/E ratios and continue to make strategic and disciplined investments to increase our audiences year on year.”
Ten shares have been put into in a trading halt and will remain so until Thursday as the company looks to accelerate a $77 million share placement, announced in June, for existing shareholders.
This share placement is in addition to the $77m Ten receives as part of Foxtel purchasing up to 15 per cent of the network at $0.15 per share.
The money is to be used to pay down debt and content to invest in content with Ten reporting net debt of $131.4m.
Anderson confirmed that 2016 would see the return of TV franchises I’m a Celebrity, Shark Tank, Masterchef, Gogglebox and The Bachelor/Bachelorette.
Nic Christensen
if 10’s revenue was up 4.6% what was the overall market up/down?, Share of the pie is the key indicator.
User ID not verified.
Who watches TV anymore? Netflix is the future.
User ID not verified.
“Anderson confirmed that 2016 would see the return of TV franchises I’m a Celebrity, Shark Tank, Masterchef, Gogglebox and The Bachelor/Bachelorette.”
Oh, ok. Here’s me thinking they were attempting to make money next year.
User ID not verified.
This looks startlingly like a Big Bath http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/bigbath.asp
User ID not verified.