Sweden’s MTG has reported generally positive results for its operations in Central and Eastern Europe. Its Viasat FTA and pay-TV operations in the region saw their income in Q4 2006 rise to SEK553 million (€60.2 million), or 49% more than the corresponding period in 2005. Over the full year sales more than doubled to SEK1,841 million. Operating profits, excluding Russia’s CTC Media, were meanwhile 46% up year-on-year in Q4 2006 and quadrupled to SEK304 million in the year. Viasat’s Baltic DTH pay-TV subscriber total more than doubled in 2006 from 38,000 to 80,000, while mini pay-TV subscriptions in the region as a whole rose by more than 50% to 18,619,000. Elsewhere, Hungary’s Viasat 3 was able to report its first ever annual profit, moving from a loss of SEK16 million in 2005 to a surplus of SEK4 million in 2006. On the down side, the Czech terrestrial station TV Prima saw its audience share fall from 26.5% in Q4 2005 to 21.8% in Q4 2006, while the newly acquired Slovenian station Prva TV posted an operating loss of SEK12 million in Q4 2006 and SEK15 million for the year as a whole. (CD)
Viasat pay-TV benefits from Swedish switchover
Data and Analysis for Premium Subscribers in New Television Insider
