GLOBAL – In its 2009/10 Annual Review, BBC Worldwide Ltd, the commercial and wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), reported a rise 0f 7% to £1074 M in the 12 months to March 31, 2010, exceeding the £1 B mark for a second year. Six of BBC Worldwide’s seven operating divisions grew sales, despite difficult trading conditions in many markets. Operating profits increased 36.5% to £145.2 M, with double-digit profit growth in five divisions.
BBC Worldwide also delivered increased dividend payments to the BBC of £73.6 M versus £68.4 M in 2008/09. This helped lift the overall cash return to the BBC to more than £150m for the second year running.
The full year figures, with profits up by 36.5% reflected a very strong performance in spite of difficult conditions in some markets. Sales generated overseas rose from 51.3% to 54.6% of the total.
The rollout of BBC-branded channels continued and sales and profits from the 41channels rose by 16.4% and 34.2% respectively year on year.
Further highlights in the year included:
-The Robbie Williams Electric Proms concert was broadcast to over 250 cinemas across 23 countries, setting a new Guinness World Record for the most simultaneous cinematic screenings of a live concert
-Lonely Planet’s digital business grew strongly, up 37.2% producing 22.1% of total revenue
-BBC.com has seen a significant 41.7% growth in revenues year on year and has 54.2 M unique users
-Excellent profits from TV formats such as Dancing with the Stars continued
-Apps for the iPhone and iPad were launched by brands such as Good Food and Radio Times
-There was growth across all four major global brands – Top Gear, Doctor Who, BBC Earth and Lonely Planet
-Lonely Planet moved back into profit, in spite of the travel market remaining challenging, after a period of significant digital investment
