Media Prima dividend highest in industry

By Ooi Tee Ching
Published: 2012/02/24


Read more: Media Prima dividend highest in industry http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/mp23/Article/#ixzz1nFjHmqcf
GOOD RETURN: Company posts 11pc profit growth to RM205.4mRecord payout as group profit for 2011 rises 11pc to RM205.4m


MEDIA Prima Bhd will pay out 16 sen a share dividend for 2011, the biggest amount it has given to shareholders.

"With a dividend yield of 4.6 per cent, you will find that it is better than putting money into a fixed deposit," said group managing director Datuk Amrin Awaluddin yesterday.

"This also works out to be the highest dividend payout among media companies."

Media Prima posted 11 per cent profit growth in 2011 to RM205.4 million, up from RM185.3 million the previous year. This figure excluded negative goodwill from the purchase of The New Straits Times Press Bhd (NSTP), which was recognised in 2010. 

Also present was chairman Datuk Johan Jaaffar and chief financial officer Mohamad Ariff Ibrahim.

"In September 2011, we completed the disposal of our foreign subsidiary TV3N Ghana, with proceeds equivalent to RM8.2 million.

"2011 was a year of ups and downs for the global economy and which we have endeavoured with a five per cent net revenue growth, contributed by the efforts of our colleagues across the group," Johan said.

Media Prima's pivotal television platform - TV3, 8TV, ntv7 and TV9 - maintained its position as the main driver and contributor to the group's strong performance.

The television networks have continued to capture the largest viewership with a combined 47 per cent of the audience share.

TV3 maintained its top position as the single most watched station with an audience viewing share of 28 per cent on both free-to-air and pay-television, despite the intense competition and the increase introduction of new channel offerings. 

NSTP, Media Prima's print arm, posted a five per cent growth in revenue, backed by a strong 12 per cent growth in advertisement revenue from 2010.

Harian Metro remained the lead newspaper with average circulation of 390,073 copies nationwide. 

Amrin said Media Prima's Hot FM, Fly FM and One FM continued to be preferred radio stations for listeners under the age of 35. 

Last year, Media Prima's outdoor media revenue, spearheaded by Big Tree Outdoor and Kurnia Outdoor, saw a 10 per cent growth from 2010. 

Through these platforms, Media Prima reaches out to 24 million people from all ages and walks of life in the country daily.

"Tonton, which was launched in August 2010, has more than two million registered users as at January 2012. They are able to view our TV offerings, listen to our radio stations, and read the New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Harian Metro via smart mobile devices," Amrin added.

On its outlook, Ariff said Media Prima's income from advertising revenue was dependent on the global economic outlook. 

"We are monitoring the economic situation in Europe and North America. We will continue to be prudent and adhere to risk management procedures to maintain our pole position in the industry.

"Should there be a moderation in economic growth, as an integrated media company, we are able to spread the risks across all platforms," he added.

Read more: Media Prima dividend highest in industry http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/mp23/Article/#ixzz1nFj1BU14