MCOT posts big revenue, profit rise
Modernine TV operator MCOT yesterday reported 2006 revenues of Bt4.3 billion, a 26-per-cent increase on Bt3.4 billion the previous year. Net profit jumped 36 per cent to Bt1.5 billion.
Revenue and profit growth is a result of increases in television and radio income. Finance and accounting vice president Soontree Keawkorn yesterday said television revenues for the year were Bt2.7 billion, up 23 per cent over the Bt2.2 billion earned in 2005. The company saw a 44-per-cent increase in radio revenues - from Bt555 million in 2005 to Bt798 million last year. Although television advertising in the final quarter decreased slightly compared with the previous quarter, income from advertising and other areas accounted for 88 per cent of total television revenues. Big advertising accounts during the year were Suvarnabhumi Airport, Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, the vocational-college project, the energy-saving project, and Isuzu's caravan-power saving and road-safety campaigns. In radio, the company resumed control of six stations in Bangkok. Concerts staged by the company - including "The Seed Show", "Seed Campus" and "Lookthung Mahanakorn on Tour" - contributed to revenue growth. The promotion of radio activities on television proved successful for its two popular stations, Seed FM 97.5 and FM 95. In partnership with leading music companies EMI, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal and Warner Music Group, MCOT relaunched Radio FM 107 Metropolis as MET 107 aimed at younger listeners. The company managed to control costs during the year and expenses rose by just 15 per cent, up from Bt1.9 billion in 2005 to Bt2.2 billion, Soontree said. Broadcast production costs were up 13 per cent to Bt1.5 billion, owing to an increase in promotional and marketing activities. "MCOT's net profit in 2006 was up 36 per cent from Bt1.1 billion in 2005 to Bt1.5 billion last year. MCOT will pay a dividend of 73 per cent of annual net profit, or Bt1.60 a share," Soontree said. Marketing vice president Kematat Paladesh said television would improve non-prime-time programming this year. "We will adjust our programmes in line with government policy, such as educating people on the constitution, reconciliation and corruption suppression," Kematat said. Between 75 per cent and 80 per cent of MCOT programming is news and documentaries.
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn The Nation
|
