31-07-2013

CME Struggling Under Ad Slump But Hopeful

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    PRAGUE: TV Nova owner Central European Media Enterprises has reported another drop in revenues of $31 m for the second quarter of the year to $180 m, citing an ad revenue slump but reports that price increases have helped and predicts the market will rebound in the fall.

    Operating costs for the quarter were $7 million, compared to $47 million for the same time last year but CME, which owns the leading TV network in six countries of the former East bloc, reported operating loss of $5.7 million, compared to operating income of $23.7 million for the same quarter in 2012.

    With net losses of $41.1 million currently, contrasted with net income of $3.1 million in the second quarter last year and dropping share prices, the Ron Lauder-owned corporation's CEO Adrian Sarbu said, "We secured double digit TV advertising price increases in the Czech Republic and single digit increases in the other countries on commitments signed."

    Carriage fees in other countries were also raised, he said, adding, "Our products are performing better than last year." But he admitted that major advertisers have "only recently accepted our higher prices."