TF1 profit and revenues decline sharply in first half

Bouygues-backed free-to-air French broadcaster TF1’s ad revenue and net profits have dropped sharply as the economic downturn continues to bite.

The company suffered a 23% fall in ad revenue in the first six months of 2009 and now expects the full-year ad decline to be about 13%. Ad revenue from the core TF1 channel was €687m. Net profit was down 61% year-on-year, taking the total to €49m. Overall group revenue was also down 16% at €1.13bn.