7 Apr 2011 07:00
UBC Media Group plc
("UBC" or "the Company")
Trading Update and Contract Wins
UBC announces trading update including new contracts with major public broadcasters ABC Radio in Australia and RTE in Ireland.
UBC Media Group plc (UBC.L), the UK's specialist radio services company, has today issued the following Trading Update ahead of its Preliminary Results announcement for the year to 31 March 2011 expected to be announced on 6 June 2011.
The Company expects turnover to be approximately £4.5m. Operational losses are expected to be in line with or slightly better than market expectations. The company's cash balance at 31 March was £4.3m, which, after consideration of the share buy-back in January, is above expectations. UBC has no debt.
The Board is satisfied with current trading and will update the market further with its Preliminary Results.
At the same time, the Company is pleased to announce that it has signed two new contracts for programmes with major new overseas customers.
UBC production companies will provide radio and online coverage of the Royal Wedding on April 29th to ABC, Australia's national public radio network. The three hour programme, broadcast live from London and hosted by Brian Hayes, will feature the ceremony and contributions from celebrity Australians living in the UK.
For RTE, Ireland's national public radio network, UBC will be producing a nightly live programme on the popular RTE2 network for three weeks from May 30th as well as online video and interactive content. The 'Exam Countdown' programme, which helps Ireland's teenagers get ready for the national Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate exams, has been a regular feature of RTE's output for many years. This is the first time it has been produced independently.
UBC was one of the first companies, 16 years ago, to produce independent programming for the BBC and has since grown to become one of the corporations leading suppliers. The BBC has recently announced an increased commitment to outsourcing radio content and has been responsible for creating a lively production sector, which is unique in the world. Public broadcasters in other countries have indicated a desire to follow the BBC's example.
Simon Cole, Chief executive of UBC commented:
"We set ourselves a key strategy aim of broadening our customer base and expanding internationally and these two deals show the first fruits of those efforts. Both contracts are for high-profile programmes and give us a chance to show our programme making expertise to new clients".
ENDS
Enquiries:
Simon Cole, CEO, UBC Media Group plc. Tel: 020 7453 1600
Sarah Jacobs, Seymour Pierce. Tel: 020 7001 8008
Notes to Editors
About UBC Media Group
UBC is quoted on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market. UBC is a leading provider of digital content, software and mobile applications. The Group is the largest independent producer of radio programming for the BBC and a provider of entertainment programming to commercial radio stations throughout the UK. Its software division, Unique Interactive, is a global supplier of digital radio text and data services.
www.ubcmedia.com