According to the Austrian Der Standard newspaper, investment firms Permira and KKR plan to sell their shares in the German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 in 2011.
The news comes at the time that the ProSiebenSat.1 Group said that it had continued its profitable growth in the third quarter 2010 with a significant earnings increase at almost stable recurring costs, exceeding market expectations.
The Groups recurring EBITDA grew by 64.3%, or €60.6 million, in comparison to the third quarter of 2009 to €154.9 million. EBITDA increased by €81.8 million to €144.1 million (+131.3% versus the previous year).
The consolidated profit after taxes and non-controlling interests grew by €44.7 million to plus €32.0 million. The dynamic earnings increase in the third quarter of 2010 again mainly resulted from higher TV advertising revenues in the Groups core market, Germany.
External revenues in the German-speaking Free TV segment (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) grew by 14.8% or €49.8 million, to €387.1 million in the third quarter of 2010.
The revenue contribution of the International Free TV segment rose by 5.0% to €156.7 million (Q3 2009: €149.2 million). In the diversification segment the Group achieved a revenue growth of 13.8% to €83.1 million (Q3 2009: €73.0 million).
The Groups consolidated revenues increased by a total of 12.0%, or €67.4 million, to €626.9 million. Recurring costs, which are total costs less non-recurring costs, depreciation and amortization, were at €475.0 million (Q3 2009: €469.3 million).
Net financial debt improved by 7.1%, or €250.6 million, to €3.284 billion at the end of September 2010 against the prior-year figure.
The ProSiebenSat.1 Q3 quarterly report will be published on November 11, 2010.
