7DIG.L Regulatory News (7DIG)

11 Oct 2005 07:01

UBC Media Group PLC10 October 2005 UBC Media Group plc 11th October 2005 Interim Trading Update UBC Media Group plc intends to announce its results for the six months to 30September 2005 on 28 November 2005 and is issuing the following trading update. The Company continues to benefit from the radio industry's transition todigital. In line with comments contained in the Chairman's AGM Statement issuedin July, group revenues have continued to grow significantly in the first halfacross the Company's Commercial, Programming and Software divisions. Despite a difficult environment elsewhere in the radio industry, UBC hascontinued to see strong growth in advertising revenues, with a like-for-likeincrease in the first half of 20% compared with the same period last year. Thesecond half of the year has started well and revenues in October areparticularly strong. Sponsorship revenues have been slightly depressed by the industry downturn andthis will lead to marginally lower revenues at the Company's Classic GoldDigital network. As expected, the acquisition last year of the Smooth Operations regionalproduction business has led to an increase in commissioned programme revenuesfrom the BBC who have announced an intention to commission more programmes fromsuppliers outside London. UBC believes it is now well placed to benefit fromthis development and expects continued growth in the balance of this year. Revenues at the company's software division, Unique Interactive have benefitedfrom the arrival this year of more sophisticated digital radios with enhanceddisplays and an interactive capability. This has led to increased sales both inthe UK and overseas of the company's products, especially its ElectronicProgramme Guide software. The Company has previously announced its intention to invest approximately£400,000 in the first half of the current financial year on creating a servicethat will allow music to be downloaded to portable devices using digital radiochannels. The planned technical trials have taken place and have beensuccessful. Although the level of investment has been less than originallyexpected in this period, the company still believes that it will need to makethe full investment originally anticipated across the full year. The Board is satisfied with the performance of the Company, which is in linewith expectations, and we believe the prospects for the remainder of the yearare positive. For enquiries, please contact:Simon Cole, CEO, UBC Media Group plc Tel: 020 7453 1600Tim Allan, Portland Tel: 020 7404 5344 About UBC Media Group UBC Media Group plc is a UK public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange'sAIM market. The Group is a market leader in the supply of content to the radio,Internet and digital television industries in the UK. In addition to theentertainment and traffic and travel news services provided to commercial radio,the Group is the largest independent producer of radio programming for the BBC. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange