STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Feb. 12, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- TV4 Annual accounts 2001
-- TV4 has consolidated its position as Sweden's most-watched channel, with a 27.5 per cent share of the viewing figures across the population; share increased, particularly in the second half of the year. TV4 is the only channel increasing its share of the satellite and cable TV audience. The Farmen docusoap more than doubled the number of young viewers compared with the same slot last year. TV4 late evening news is now the most popular news programme among young viewers (the 15- to 39-year-old age group).
-- TV4.se increased the number of unique website visitors to 1,460,000 in December 2001, almost three times last year's figure. TV4.se is now Sweden second most-visited media site and the most popular site among home surfers. The number of daily viewers of TV4 text TV has risen to 1.75 million, which is an all-time high and 17 per cent more than last year.
-- Profit after net financial income/expense totalled SEK 235 million, compared with SEK 336 million the previous year. Earnings for the year include a positive one-off figure of SEK 146 million. Group revenues fell by 13 per cent to SEK 2.191 million.
-- TV4 paid no franchise fee in the first half of 2001. Digital TV revenues are not included in the sum on which the franchise fee is based for the second half of the year.
-- Fourth quarter revenues were 21 per cent lower than the previous year. Costs are now under control and are on par with last year.
-- The advertising market has been weak in early 2002. TV4's costs will be lower in all areas of operation. As sole owner, TV4 can now rationalise local TV and reduce losses.
Dividend
The Board of Directors and Managing Director propose a dividend of SEK 5.00 per share.
AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders will take place at TV4's offices at Tegeluddsvagen 3 in Stockholm at 9.30am on 10th April. The annual report will be distributed to the shareholders and will be available at the offices of the company from 11th March.
This report and other financial information is also available on the Internet at www.tv4.se and the full-text of this release including the financial tables is available at the following links:
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/12/20020212BIT00990/bit0001.doc
http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/02/12/20020212BIT00990/bit0001.pdf