KUALA LUMPUR: Astro All Asia Networks plc has recorded a net profit of RM232.97 million for financial year ended Jan 31, 2010 compared to a net loss of RM529.18 million in the previous year.
In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, Astro said revenue grew by 10 per cent to RM3.258 billion from RM2.97 billion, underpinned by a strong performance from the pay-TV business in Malaysia.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 24 per cent to RM831 million from RM671 million a year earlier, due to increasing demand for pay-TV and radio services, it said.
Astro said pay-TV business in Malaysia gained some 284,000 net new customers, bringing the residential subscriber base to 2.93 million.
"This represents a 49 per cent penetration of Malaysian TV households and generating an EBITDA margin of 29 per cent," it said.
It said its radio unit, AMP Radio Networks, returned a satisfactory performance despite a competitive market and challenging economic conditions for advertisers.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Rohana Rozhan, said Astro TV achieved an EBITDA of RM241 million, or a margin of 31 per cent, for the fourth quarter FY2010.
She said that this may be attributed to the strong execution of Astro's operating plans and disciplined cost controls.
"The response to our high definition (HD) services also continues to gain momentum, and we plan to introduce new offerings such as digital video recording, video-on-demand/near video-on-demand and Internet protocol connectivity.
Rohana said 2010 would be a huge year for sports fans.
"Astro will be broadcasting, among others, all 64 World Cup matches, live in both standard definition and HD, Thomas and Uber Cup, New Delhi Commonwealth Games and Guang Zhou Asian Games in addition to our recently-launched local sports channel, Astro Arena," she said.
Astro has declared a fourth interim dividend of five sen per share, bringing the total for the year to 12.5 sen. -- BERNAMA
In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, Astro said revenue grew by 10 per cent to RM3.258 billion from RM2.97 billion, underpinned by a strong performance from the pay-TV business in Malaysia.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 24 per cent to RM831 million from RM671 million a year earlier, due to increasing demand for pay-TV and radio services, it said.
Astro said pay-TV business in Malaysia gained some 284,000 net new customers, bringing the residential subscriber base to 2.93 million.
"This represents a 49 per cent penetration of Malaysian TV households and generating an EBITDA margin of 29 per cent," it said.
It said its radio unit, AMP Radio Networks, returned a satisfactory performance despite a competitive market and challenging economic conditions for advertisers.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Rohana Rozhan, said Astro TV achieved an EBITDA of RM241 million, or a margin of 31 per cent, for the fourth quarter FY2010.
She said that this may be attributed to the strong execution of Astro's operating plans and disciplined cost controls.
"The response to our high definition (HD) services also continues to gain momentum, and we plan to introduce new offerings such as digital video recording, video-on-demand/near video-on-demand and Internet protocol connectivity.
Rohana said 2010 would be a huge year for sports fans.
"Astro will be broadcasting, among others, all 64 World Cup matches, live in both standard definition and HD, Thomas and Uber Cup, New Delhi Commonwealth Games and Guang Zhou Asian Games in addition to our recently-launched local sports channel, Astro Arena," she said.
Astro has declared a fourth interim dividend of five sen per share, bringing the total for the year to 12.5 sen. -- BERNAMA