State-owned TVNZ pays smaller dividend as international programmes get pricey
By Paul McBeth
Sept 3 (BusinessDesk) - State-owned broadcaster Television New Zealand paid a smaller-than-expected dividend to the
government as more-expensive foreign programming eroded the company's underlying earnings.
The broadcaster paid a dividend of $11.3 million in the 12 months ended June 30, down from $13.8 million last year and
smaller than the $12.8 million forecast in its statement of corporate intent. Underlying earnings shrank 12 percent to
$27.9 million, slightly ahead of the $24 million forecast.
Net profit surged to $14.2 million from $2.1 million after the impact of the ill-fated TiVo venture washed through the
broadcaster's books, just ahead of the $14.1 million forecast in the statement of intent.
"Increases in the cost of television programming, particularly overseas programming, were the primary driver of lower
underlying earnings," the company said in a statement.
The broadcaster's operating revenue grew 1 percent in the year to $381.8 million, with a 3 percent lift in advertising
sales to $313.7 million.
The company increased its TV advertising share to 62.2 percent from 61.6 percent, nabbing 92 percent of total growth in
the period, it said.
TVNZ's more-expensive overseas programming comes as the kiwi dollar's strength increases local buyers' purchasing power
and at the same time as rival MediaWorks NZ winds down its reliance on CBS Broadcasting in favour of New Zealand-made
content.
The broadcaster took a $5.7 million impairment charge on the cost of switching off the analogue transmission network.
(BusinessDesk)