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MUMBAI:
Television format owner and distributor Endemol has announced
steady performance and strategic progress for the first quarter.
It saw its non-scripted business continue at the same high
level as in 2006. Scripted and digital media saw further growth..
Deal
or No Deal
is now Endemol’s top format in terms of turnover. The
game show continues to deliver strong ratings in countries
like the US, the UK and Italy. Big Brother also remains
a sound contributor, having returned to air in countries like
Italy, Germany and Argentina.
Fuelled
by the worldwide game show revival, 1 vs. 100 entered
its top five formats in the first quarter and will this year
be produced in approximately 20 countries.
As
far as the US was concerned Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
continued to be among the most popular shows. Also, 1 vs.
100, which first started airing in the fall of 2006 on
NBC retained its strong ratings in the first quarter. As indicated
earlier, the production and syndication of Fear Factor
in the US ended in 2006.
In
the scripted section Endemol says that growth was fuelled
by new drama series and telenovelas in its main scripted countries,
like the Netherlands, Italy and Spain. New series include
Julia’s Tango in the Netherlands and Una Madre Detective
in Italy. In addition, Guardia Costiera in Italy made a sound
contribution to first quarter performance.
In
line with Endemol’s continuing search for expansion into
new territories, either organically or through M&A, Endemol
France was acquired and integrated back into the Group as
of January 2007. The acquisition brings the total number of
territories in which Endemol has an actual production presence
to 25.
In the digital media field, the continued success of formats
like Deal or No Deal and Big Brother generated
substantial revenues on calls and SMSs. Participation TV revenues
improved slightly despite the recent controversy and related
publicity around TV phone in games in the UK and The Netherlands.
In
the field of non TV related content, Endemol continued to
explore new initiatives and develop specific content for mobile,
online video and IPTV concepts. In April, Endemol announced
a partnership with Electronic Arts on a new project called
Virtual Me, which will make successful Endemol TV formats
available in an online virtual reality.
Endemol
CEO Elías Rodríguez-Viña says, “In
the first quarter we have shown a steady performance across
the Group. In addition, several new steps towards the further
development and implementation of our strategic priorities
were made. On balance, our performance in the first quarter
leads us to reiterate our financial guidance for the full
year 2007.”
Also
significant is that during this period a number of parties
including Apax Partners, Televisa, expressed interest in acquiring
the firm. Mediaset reports state is also preparing a bid with
Endemol founder John De Mol possibly with the UK’s ITV
also getting involved.
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