NRJ Group: 2008 revenues: 331.3 million euros
Following a particularly difficult fourth quarter due to the economic environment, the radio business inFrance recorded 222.1 million euros in revenues over 2008, compared with 239.6 million euros in 2007,representing a drop of 7.3% (-14.6% in Q4). In the fourth quarter, the downturn in business stems morespecifically from the fall in advertising investments for the retail, transport and telecommunications sectors. Over the full year, the retail sector’s advertising investments are up slightly, while the transport, services,telecommunications and toiletries-beauty product sectors show a marked downturn.Â
Revenues from international radio activities climbed to 33.8 million euros in 2008, up 5.3% on 2007, notablydriven by growth in business on the Germanic region over the full year. Television activities generated 25 million euros in revenues over 2008, up 187.4% in relation to 2007. In thefourth quarter, despite the unfavourable economic environment, this business achieved sustained revenuegrowth (+186.7%). In December 2008, NRJ 12 achieved a national audience share of 1.1%* for this channel (1%* over the full year in 2008). NRJ 12 has continued to achieve satisfactory growth in its audience figures, and now attracts close to 24 million* viewers each week.Â
* Source: Médiamétrie Médiamat Annuel 2008 Revenues on the telephony business came to 7.2 million euros in 2008, compared with 18.3 million euros in 2007 in light of the reduction of the Group’s stake in NRJ Mobile. This business has been deconsolidated since 1 May 2008, and the Group did not record any revenues for NRJ Mobile over the second half of 2008, compared with the 9.1 million euros in revenues booked over the second half of 2007.Â
Non-media activities recorded 17.4 million euros in revenues over 2008, compared with 41.5 million euros in 2007. In 2008, the musical “Le Roi Soleil†contributed 0.8 million euros to consolidated revenues, compared with 23.4 million euros in 2007. Excluding “Le Roi Soleilâ€, the non-media division would have generated 16.6 million euros in revenues over 2008, compared with 18.1 million euros in 2007.Â
Lastly, the Group’s broadcasting business contributed 24.7 million euros to consolidated revenues in 2008, up 35.7% on 2007, thanks in particular to the development of its activities on the digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting market. In total, including revenues generated within the Group, the broadcasting business posted 37.6 million euros in revenues for 2008.
Within the current economic environment, the Group has confirmed that it will be approaching 2009 with a great deal of caution. At this stage, since visibility is still limited and the current level of business is not showing any signs of a reversal in the trend for advertising investments, the Group is forecasting a drop in its revenues for Radio in France over the first quarter. On Television, the digital terrestrial television environment is favourable and the business is continuing to grow over the start of this year.
