Arqiva continues to deliver strong results and it’s the Terrestrial Broadcast business that is delivering.
But it’s the expansion of Britain’s DAB radio network that has fuelled the 8.8 per cent revenue increase in the sector. There were also RPI increases on TV broadcast contracts and increased activities in the 700MHz clearance programme.
The UK national DAB network now covers more than 97 per cent of the population, while local commercial radio reaches 91 per cent.
In DTT, Arqiva is responsible for spectrum planning, network design, programme management, infrastructure changes, service continuity, asset replacement and retuning of broadcast transmitters to enable broadcasters to move into a lower frequency.
Satellite and Media revenues decreased by 6.7 per cent from £37.2 million to £34.7 million, as the company pulled away from less lucrative contracts, though this was compensated for in part by revenue from HD services.
Total revenues increased by 3.3 per cent to £237.8 million.
“This is another set of record results and highlights the strength of the business and its ability to produce cash,” said chief executive Simon Beresford-Wylie. “Arqiva is working with the government, the regulator and our commercial partners to ensure that the UK has the right infrastructure for a successful digital communications future.”
In October, Arqiva announced plans for an initial public offering, but within a few days uncertainty around the IPO market resulted in it being pulled. The company says it will revisit the IPO once market conditions have improved.
