Wednesday 24 Sep 2014
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd, the commercial and wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ), today published its Annual Review for 2009/10.
The company saw sales* rise by 7% to Β£1074m in the 12 months to 31 March 2010, exceeding the Β£1bn mark for a second year. Six of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's seven operating divisions grew sales, despite tough trading conditions in many markets. Operating profits* increased 36.5% to Β£145.2m, with double-digit profit growth in five divisions.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide also delivered increased dividend payments to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ of Β£73.6m (2008/09: Β£68.4m). This helped lift the overall cash return to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to more than Β£150m for the second year running.
Announcing the results, John Smith, Chief Executive of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, said the full year figures reflected a very strong performance in spite of difficult conditions in many markets.
"Today's figures, with profits up by 36.5%, demonstrate that our strategy is working. As well as developing into a diversified global media business and extending the international visibility of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ brand, the company is delivering a strong financial performance. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide continues to give consumers around the world more and more content from the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and other British production companies. This allows us to re-invest in more great content and return more cash to our parent organisation, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ."
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide continued to make good progress in its strategic objectives:
Further highlights in the year included:
John Smith added: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide once again demonstrated the depth of its businesses and its financial strength in a difficult year for the industry by lifting revenues beyond a billion pounds for a second year while also continuing to deliver around 10% of the UK's total creative economy exports."
Robert Webb, Chairman of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, said: "Our underlying aim is to give the best possible return to licence fee payers to deliver a real benefit to the UK's creative economy. To that end, we have invested more than Β£1bn through payments to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, independent production companies, writers and actors since 2004/05. We hope, as the next year develops, to continue to be of value to the UK, to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and to all who enjoy what we do."
Mark Thompson, Director-General of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, commented: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide continues to contribute significantly to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ through its overall returns and dividend and what is clear from this outstanding year of success is that the global appetite for outstanding British content is greater than ever before."
*Sales include Group revenue and the Group's share of joint-ventures' revenue, and profit refers to operating profit before specific items.
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Charlotte Elston/Esther Brown
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