A few weeks after the announcement of its engagement with M6, the TF1 group publishes its half-year results, showing good progress.
Consolidated turnover rose almost 28% to 1.13 billion euros in the first half, above the consensus of financial analysts, and almost returning to its 2019 level.
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Above all, advertising revenue - its main activity - increased by 31% compared to 2020, reaching 802 million euros, thanks to a sharp rebound in the second quarter (+ 71% over one year). They nevertheless remain down 4% compared to 2019. “
It's a very good first half with a strong rebound compared to 2020, we are back to the performance levels of 2019,
welcomed Gilles Pélisson, the CEO of TF1, during the presentation of the results on Wednesday.
This sharp increase is mainly driven by the dynamism of television advertising investments in the second quarter
”.
In detail, digital advertising revenue amounted to 63.1 million euros, up 10.4 million euros compared to the end of June 2020. The MyTF1 replay platform notably saw its audiences grew by 21% over one year.
The advertising revenue of the group's websites (Marmiton, Doctissimo) is, for its part, down slightly compared to the end of June 2020.
In addition, eleven months after its authorization, segmented advertising is gradually finding its place in the advertising screens of the TF1 group's channels, with around sixty campaigns carried out since January and an exclusive partnership recently signed with Le Bon Coin to reach the little ones. advertisers.
Driven by French fiction
TF1, which increased its investments in programs by 31.2%, was able to capitalize on the success of French fiction, in particular the HPI series, and the broadcasting of certain Euro 2020 matches despite the early stopping in eighth final of the course of the France team. The group's audience share for advertising targets increased over one year in the first half of the year, with 33.5% of the sales target of women responsible for purchases under the age of fifty (+0.8 points compared to 2019 ).
“We are continuing to refine our multichannel strategy, and increase our investments in content production. Particularly in French fiction, which drew our audiences, ”
indicates Gilles Pélisson.
Over the first six months of the year, 45 prime time for the TF1 group reached an audience of over 5 million viewers.
In addition, the content production activities of Newen Studios, present in seven countries, recorded sales of 145.3 million euros, up 45.6 million euros over one year.
"
The activity of Newen benefits during the first six months of a catch-up effect, following the delay of certain productions planned for 2020, in particular in Canada and Belgium
", specifies the group.
Double-digit operating margin
In the first half of the year, the group generated a current operating margin rate of 15%.
And he is confident in his forecasts for the second half of the year.
"
We expect a return of a double-digit operating margin, between 10% and 15%, for the year 2021,
" says Gilles Pélisson.
Net income tripled to € 108.4 million, including the first exceptional charges of € 2.4 million related to the proposed merger between TF1 and M6. This operation, scheduled for the end of 2022, was unanimously approved on July 8 by the TF1 group employee representative bodies. It must now obtain the consent of the CSA (Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel) and the French Competition Authority, which must decide on the very large market share that the new group would obtain in the television advertising sector. By bringing together the two entities, the new group would control more than 70% of the French TV advertising market. The Trademark Union, which represents advertisers, had let it be known thatshe did not see this coming together in a good light.
The law also prohibits the same group from broadcasting more than seven terrestrial waves, suggesting that the merger will lead to the abandonment of three TV channels. "
The end of the story is written at the end of 2022. It is thus too early to comment on the future of TNT channels
", indicates Gilles Pélisson for the time being.
