TF1 Group sees drop in pay TV and advertising revenues

French broadcaster TF1 Group suffered reversals in both the advertising market, pay TV and other activities in 2013, leading to a drop of 5.7% in consolidated revenues to €1.679 billion.

Full year revenues for pay TV activities dropped by €32 million to €530.7 million. Eurosport, in which Discovery now holds a majority stake, saw its revenues fall by 4.7% to €452.9 million, in part due to the effect of the big headline events of 2012.

TF1 turned in operating income of €223.1 million, down €35 million on the 2012 figure.

TF1 nevertheless laid claim to be the only mainstream channel to increase its audience in 2013, achieving a 22.8% share. Recent launch HD1 is also the leader amongst the six new DTT channels launched in France, with a 0.6% share, while TMC remains the country’s fifth most popular channel with a 3.4% share.