Wednesday 24 Sep 2014
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd will today publish its Annual Review for 2010/11 showing a double-digit rise in headline profit – up 10.3% to Β£160.2m (2009/10: Β£145.2m), its highest level ever. Profit before tax, including discontinued operations, of Β£201.2m includes a gain from the exit from a channels investment sold to partner Discovery in November.
The strong levels of growth have helped lift the overall return to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ by 8.6% to Β£181.9m (2009/10: Β£167.5m).
The results mark Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's most successful year in taking great British content to the world, driving growth and exports to benefit the wider creative industries. The company grew headline sales by 7.8% to Β£1157.7m in the 12 months to 31 March 2011 (2009/10: Β£1074.2m). International sales increased by 9.6% to 55.5% of total headline sales as the business sharpens its focus on international markets.
Digital sales, predominantly online and mobile, increased to 8.1% of net sales. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.com, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's flagship online property, has seen revenues increase by 113% in the US. In the year ahead, the company will pilot the global Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer, develop a bigger games portfolio and launch more mobile services and apps. To date, downloads of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide apps have exceeded 12m, the Top Gear and Doctor Who pages on Facebook have over 11.8 million fans and an average 68 million visitors per month visit its websites.
Announcing the results, John Smith, Chief Executive of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, said Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's role in driving growth for the wider UK creative industries and reinvesting money back into the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is more important than ever in a tough financial climate.
John Smith said: "This was Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's most successful year ever in championing great UK content around the globe. By offering world-class British programming and brands that resonate with global audiences, we were able to lift revenues beyond a billion pounds for a third year in succession and also deliver impressive results.
"These results have enabled Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide to return an increased amount back to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔΒ - supporting development of world-class, original content in the context of a tighter financial settlement.
"Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide also distributed programmes and formats produced by more than 300 UK independent producers in 2010/11. I am proud of the unique role we play in helping our sectors of the UK creative industries to expand through exports."
John Smith said the performance was underpinned by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's strategy, with progress delivered against all five key strategic objectives:
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: "With sales from digital activities, mainly online and mobile, now at 8.1% of total net sales, we are on track to meet our target of 10% by 2011/12."
BECOMING MORE INTERNATIONAL: "International sales increased by 9.6% to 55.5% of headline sales. We have focused in particular on the English-speaking markets of the USA and Australia. In June 2010, we appointed Herb Scannell to head up our North American businesses and drive further growth. In this context, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ America had its best year ever with primetime ratings among 25 – 54 year olds up 37% year on year. We are also recruiting EVPs to drive medium-term growth in other key regions including Asia, EMEA and Latin America."
GROWING THE SCALE OF OUR TV CHANNELS: "Headline sales in the Channels business rose 18.8% with the continued roll-out of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ-branded channels and improving advertising demand. We launched nine new channels during the year including CBeebies in South Korea, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Knowledge in Italy and New Zealand, a dedicated feed for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment in India and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD in a number of markets."
INCREASED INVESTMENT IN CONTENT: "Headline sales in the Content & Production business rose 9.1%. Core to our mission is delivering high-quality distinctive content to audiences around the world and we invested Β£101m in acquiring rights to great content during the year. Given the needs of the different markets we serve, we will provide bespoke local programming as well as heavily investing in the best UK productions. We will continue to support emerging independent companies through development finance, co-production deals and international distribution."
MORE DIRECT CONNECTIONS WITH CONSUMERS: "Understanding consumer preferences and developing a closer relationship with audiences around the world is key to our strategy. Our top five brands – Top Gear, Doctor Who, Lonely Planet, Dancing with the Stars and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Earth – account for 27% of the company’s total sales, and around 45% of our sales now come from 12 brands. Over two million people visited a Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ live show somewhere in the world in 2010/11, bringing total attendance at our events to date to over nine million."
Other highlights in the year included:
John Smith added: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide’s results were driven by a number of key factors including continuing success of our programme sales and DVD businesses, growth in our TV channels as well as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.com's excellent momentum towards profitability."
Robert Webb, Chairman of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, said: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide operates as one of the engines of the whole UK creative economy and our record performance last year allowed us to deliver on our core aims. We reinvested Β£182m back into the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and also increased our support of the UK creative economy.Β We are confident that we will build on our current success in the year to come."
For further information please contact:
Ben Wilson
020 8433 2506
Ben.Wilson@bbc.com
Charlotte Elston
020 8433 3995
Charlotte.Elston@bbc.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Ltd is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ). The company exists to maximise the value of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ’s assets for the benefit of the licence-fee payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has six core businesses: Channels, Content & Production, Brands, Consumers & New Ventures, Sales & Distribution, Consumer Products and Magazines. Digital activities are embedded across all these businesses. For more information, please visit or follow us at .
Business Highlights 2010/11
Channels – Offers a global showcase for the best of British television via a portfolio of 31 international, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ-branded TV channels, and 10 further channels are operated through a joint venture with Virgin Media – UKTV. Also manages advertising and affiliate sales for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World News.
Content & Production – Provides TV producers with investment and expertise in return for rights. Also develops its own TV formats and runs a global network of production studios.
Digital Entertainment – Comprises Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.com and the investments made into two start-up digital businesses – the global Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer and a Games Unit.*
Brands, Consumers & New Ventures – Maximises the value of major brands, including Top Gear and Doctor Who, across all of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's businesses. Manages Lonely Planet, Live Events, Licensed Products and book publishing partnerships.*
Sales & Distribution – Sells TV programmes to customers around the world on behalf of rights owners – the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and independent production companies. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide is the largest distributor of finished TV programmes outside the major US studios.
Consumer Products – Creates products that complement programming and expand consumers' enjoyment of media brands. It comprises 2 entertain (our global DVD and download-to-own business), music licensing and publishing.*
Magazines – Extends viewers’ enjoyment of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ programming through a portfolio of high-quality consumer magazines and exhibitions. The majority of this business has been held for sale during the year.
* Reorganised after year end
Ben Wilson/Charlotte Elston
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