ABS-CBN income falls 69% to P306 million in Q1

MANILA, Philippines - Multi-media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corp. said its net profit declined 69 percent in the first quarter this year to P306 million, from P976 million a year ago when it booked gains from the sale unit of Sky Cable’s Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs).

Stripping the one-time gain of P674 million in 2011, however, ABS-CBN’s net income would have been up one percent on a recurring basis, the company said.

Consolidated revenues rose eight percent to P7.1 billion, 59 percent of which or P4.2 billion came from advertising.

Advertising revenues across all platforms and subsidiaries went up four percent to P4.2 billion.

But earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell 35 percent to P1.4 billion.

Consumer sales climbed 15 percent to almost P3 billion, largely driven by the 12 percent growth in Sky Cable’s revenues owing to the nine percent rise in postpaid service and 31 percent hike in broadband service revenues. 

Revenues from its international unit, ABS-CBN Global, improved three percent on the back of a three percent rise in overall viewer count to around 2.5 million as of end-March this year. Double-digit growth in subscribers continued to be experienced in Canada, and singledigit growth in all other territories except Japan and Europe where subscribers declined.

ABS-CBN maintained its national audience share and ratings leadership with prime-time audience share averaging 42 percent during the period under review, with a 12 percentage point lead over main rival GMA’s, according to Kantar national TV ratings data.

Total operating and other expenses jumped by 27 percent to P6.1 billion. Production costs increased 10 percent to P2.5 billion

The company has earmarked around P5 billion for its capital expenditure program this year, majority of which or P2 billion will go to the continued expansion of the broadband business. Around P1.2 billion will be channeled to flagship station Channel 2.

Another P1 billion will be used to acquire film rights while P700 million will go to the launch of its digital terrestrial TV.