25th Sep 2013 07:00
Date: | 25 September 2013 |
On behalf of: | Entertainment One Ltd. ('the Company', or 'the Group') |
Embargoed until: | 0700hrs
|
Entertainment One Ltd.
Pre-close trading update
Entertainment One Ltd., the international entertainment group, provides the following trading update prior to its close period commencing on 30 September 2013:
§ On a reported basis, Group revenues and EBITDA are significantly higher than the comparative period, reflecting the acquisition of Alliance Films Holdings Inc. in January 2013
§ Trading in the first six months of the current financial year has continued in line with management expectations
§ Full year earnings anticipated to be in line with management expectations
Overview
The Group has had a strong first half of the financial year, with reported Group revenues and EBITDA significantly higher than the comparative period.
The Group expects to release over 250 films during the current financial year, including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Prisoners, 12 Years a Slave and Ender's Game. Investment in content and programmes is expected to increase to over £250 million in the current financial year (2013 pro-forma with Alliance: £219 million).
The Group expects full year earnings to be in line with management expectations.
Film
On a reported basis, Film revenues are higher than the prior year (pro-forma in line year-on-year), driven by increased number of box office releases and the performance of the enlarged library of films across the Group. Theatrical releases have included Now You See Me, Rush, The Place Beyond the Pines, Scary Movie 5, Insidious: Chapter 2 and Behind the Candelabra. DVD releases have included Django Unchained, The Impossible, Safe Haven, Silver Linings Playbook and Bullet to the Head.
Digital revenues in the division have more than doubled in comparison to the prior year which, alongside synergies from the combination of the Alliance film business, has helped drive improved gross profit and EBITDA margins.
Television
Year-to-date, Television production is in line with management expectations, and the production slate for the financial year includes commissioned renewals for season two of Saving Hope and Rogue, season three of Hell on Wheels and season four of Haven. New shows in production include Klondike, the Discovery Channel's first scripted mini-series. The pipeline of future programming was further enhanced by the recently announced season five of Rookie Blue.
During the period, the Group's Television business signed a new three-year output deal with AMC Networks under which it will handle international distribution (including digital and home entertainment rights) for all original scripted series from AMC's US-based networks which comprise AMC and the Sundance Channel. The first three series to be part of this deal are Halt and Catch Fire, Turn and The Red Road.
Peppa Pig continues to perform well internationally, and in the US it is now enjoying a one-hour prime time slot on Nick Jr., Monday to Sunday, having improved its overall ratings over the summer.
Corporate Developments
The Group recently finalised its independent library valuation, valuing its Film, Television and Music library in excess of US$650 million, up from US$385 million at 31 March 2012.
On 1 July 2013, the Company was admitted to the premium segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority.
The Company was included in the UK FTSE 250 Index Series on 23 September 2013.
Enquiries:
Redleaf Polhill |
Emma Kane/ Rebecca Sanders-Hewett
|
+44(0)20 7382 4730 |
Entertainment One Ltd. | Giles Willits
| Via Redleaf Polhill
|
J. P. Morgan Cazenove | Hugo Baring/Virginia Khoo | +44(0)20 7742 4000
|
Cenkos Securities plc
| Stephen Keys/Adrian Hargrave
| +44(0)20 7397 8926 |
Notes to Editors:
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a leading international entertainment company that specialises in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. The company's comprehensive network extends around the globe including Canada, the US, the UK, Ireland, Spain, Benelux, France, Germany, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea.
The company provides extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production, family programming and merchandising and licensing. Its current rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 35,000 film and television titles, 2,800 hours of television programming and 45,000 music tracks.
Further information is available at www.entertainmentonegroup.com or email Redleaf Polhill at [email protected].
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