REG - Zinc Media Group PLC - Trading Update

Zinc MediaAnnouncement

08/07/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 4019V  Zinc Media Group PLC  08 July 2024

8 July 2024

 

 

Zinc Media Group plc

("Zinc" or the "Group")

 

Trading update H1 FY24

 

 

Zinc Media Group plc (AIM: ZIN), the award-winning television and content
production group, today announces a trading update for the six months ended 30
June 2024 ("H1 FY24").

 

As at 30 June 2024, the Group has revenue secured and due to be recognised in
FY24 of £28m, an increase of £4m since the last update at the end of April
2024. A further £9m for recognition in FY24 is at highly advanced discussions
on the pipeline. This compares to £31m secured and £7m in highly advanced
discussions at the same point last year.

 

The well reported challenges in the UK commissioning market in H1 have
resulted in clients taking longer to sign off contracts and confirm the start
of productions. Notably, new business amounting to £2m of revenue which was
initially secured for FY24 by the Group has moved into FY25. Had this remained
in FY24, the Group would have been in line with the prior year.

 

Despite these phasing challenges, total revenue won and due to be recognised
in FY24, combined with prospects at a highly advanced stage on the pipeline
totals £37m, which compares to £38m at the same time last year, and the
Group continues to trade in line with market expectations.

 

Notable new business wins include a returning daytime series for BBC One, a
BBC Quiz pilot, two returning series for UKTV's Dave, a feature documentary
series for the BBC and a new mini-series with an accompanying podcast for the
Crime and Investigation channel called Unbreakable. This is a new client for
the Group.  A list of Zinc television programmes which are available to watch
is on the Group's website: https://zincmedia.com/what-to-watch-on-tv/
(https://zincmedia.com/what-to-watch-on-tv/)

 

The Group's longer-term pipeline remains strong with £10m of revenue booked
or at a highly advanced stage for FY25, which is double what it was at the
same point last year looking into FY24.

 

Cash at the end of June was £4.0m (£4.9m as at 31 December 2023), which
reflects the unwinding of advance payments received at year end for current
productions and working capital movements.

 

In April, the Group stated it was targeting £500k of annualised savings by
the end of 2025. Due to market headwinds in the UK, particularly with
advertisers and brands, the Group restructured its corporate video and branded
content business within Zinc Communicate during H1, which has resulted in an
annualised £0.3m improvement in profitability.

 

Mark Browning, Chief Executive Officer, Zinc Media Group, says:

 

"At the halfway point in our financial year, the Group has good visibility on
£37m of revenue to be recognised in FY24, which puts us on track for another
strong year. We are conscious that some clients have delayed projects into
FY25, and others are being slower to commit to start dates and this is evident
in the amount of secured work. This reflects the continued short-term nature
of the UK television market and instability in the Middle East affecting some
international business. Nonetheless, our pipeline remains strong, and our
forward bookings for FY25 are considerably ahead of where they normally are at
this stage of the cycle, which provides the Board with confidence in the
Group's ability to deliver continued profitable growth in FY24 and FY25."

 

For further information, please contact:

 Zinc Media Group plc                                   +44 (0) 20 7878 2311

 Mark Browning, CEO / Will Sawyer, CFO

 www.zincmedia.com (http://www.zincmedia.com)
 Singer Capital Markets (Nominated Adviser and Broker)           +44 (0) 20 7496 3000

 James Moat / Sam Butcher

 

 

About Zinc Media Group

Zinc Media Group plc is a premium television and content creation group.

The award-winning and critically acclaimed television labels comprise Brook
Lapping, Red Sauce, Supercollider, Tern Television, Rex and Atomic, along with
Bumblebee Post Production, and produce programmes across a wide range of
factual genres for UK and international broadcasters.

The Edge Picture Company produces film content for brands and corporates in
the UK, Qatar and other international markets. Zinc Communicate produces
podcasts and radio as well as providing a bespoke publishing solution in
partnership with industry bodies.

For further information on Zinc Media please visit www.zincmedia.com
(http://www.zincmedia.com)

 

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