Independent News & Media Regulatory News (INM)

21 Aug 2008 14:32



INDEPENDENT NEWS & MEDIA PLC COMPLETES 

INVESTMENT IN INDONESIAN MEDIA SECTOR

Ticker: (Bloomberg) INM.ID/ INM.LN and (Reuters) INME.I/ INME.L

Dublin/London - 21st August 2008: Further to the announcement of the 30th of May 2008, Independent News & Media PLC ['INM'] today announces that it has completed the purchase of a 20% stake in the Jakarta based media group, PT Abdi Bangsa TBK (ABBA.JK).

PT Abdi Bangsa continues to report strong growth, with revenues for the half year (to June 2008) increasing by 24% year-on-year to IDR 66.0bn (€4.7m), while EBITDA has increased 44% year-on-year to IDR 14.7bn (€1.0m).

PT Abdi Bangsa is the publisher of "Republika" one of Indonesia's largest circulating national daily newspapers and has interests in online publishing, radio, magazine publishing and outdoor advertising.

For further information, please contact:

ABOUT INDEPENDENT NEWS & MEDIA PLC

- CORPORATE PROFILE -

INM is a leading international newspaper and communications group, with its main interests in Australia, India, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Spanning four continents, 10 major markets and 22 individual countries, INM has market-leading newspaper positions in Australia (regional), India, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa. In the United Kingdom, it publishes the flagship national title, The Independent, as well as being the largest newspaper group in Northern Ireland.

Across these regions, the Group publishes over 200 newspaper and magazine titles, delivering a combined weekly circulation of over 32 million copies, with a weekly audience of over 100 million consumers and includes the world's largest read newspaper, Dainik Jagran, in India. The Group has established a strong and growing online presence, with over 100 editorial, classified and transactional sites.

INM is the largest radio operator - over 130 stations and an audience of almost six million people - and outdoor advertising operator in Australasia and also has leading outdoor advertising positions in Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and across Africa. 

The Group has grown consistently over the last 15 years by building a geographically unique and diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, and manages gross assets of €4.7 billion, revenue of €1.9 billion and employs approximately 9,600 people worldwide. Further information is available on the Group's website www.inmplc.com.