Four years after the return at the helm of Jean-Paul Baudecroux, indicators of the NRJ Group are green. The station NRJ has returned to the second radio station in France and the pole made of TV NRJ 12, NRJ Paris, NRJ Hits has reached equilibrium. In 2011, NRJ Group posted a turnover of 377.5 million euros (+9.9%) and net profit of EUR 45.6 million (41.2%).
LE FIGARO. – In 2011, the results of NRJ Group rebounded. The dark years are erased?
John Paul BAUDECROUX. – This is the result of hard work on our four radio stations and our television. The sales grew faster than the market thanks to the work of our national and local advertising. Finally, careful management has allowed the net to rebound by 41%.
NRJ can it become the first radio station in France?
We aim to exceed legitimate RTL. I dream that the first radio station in France is French. NRJ collects 6 million listeners a day and all of our stations cumulative 12.13 million listeners per day. The bulk of the work of registration stations has been done and now there are some settings that will bear fruit in one year. On the station NRJ, all our slots have grown and Cauet, in the second season, capitalizing on its success. The morning of Manu made good scores and produce its full effect next season. He signed a contract for two seasons.
After seven years, the television division is finally balanced?
If the end of the year was better, the television division would have made money instead of just at equilibrium. Our channel NRJ Hits became the first music channel on cable and satellite and NRJ 12 is now the third TNT channel, behind TMC and W9 with an audience share of 3.8% on the target of 15-34 years.
Finally, you win money, why would reinvest in a new DTT channel?
Because I like to develop projects and we are not here to make financial transactions on the frequencies. As entrepreneurs, we prefer to construct heritage assets online payday loan lenders. If the Higher Audiovisual Council gives us an additional string, we will invest 110 million euros over five years. But that will strengthen our position in the advertising market. And, more importantly, it will devote our role as the fourth operator private broadcasting French. NRJ 12 already, we just launched the production of a daily French fiction whose 1st release is planned in September. The CSA has the option, giving us a new DTT channel, to rebalance the French media landscape in terms of advertising support for audiovisual production and pluralism around four main actors sound and sustainable.
You have submitted three projects announced chains but you have a preference for Darling HD. Why?
The President of the CSA and a counselor I have questioned my preference and I answered with complete transparency. But if the CSA gives us another channel, we will accept it as our three projects-My NRJ, Chérie Nosta TV and HD are all worthy projects. However, Cherie HD, feminine chain, a target audience of 25 to 49, which corresponds to that already addressed by our advertising. This will allow then to consolidate his power. Above all, we believe that our chain is the female who best meets the public expectations on TNT.
Your broadcasting subsidiary Towercast is it still for sale?
Towercast, which ensures the broadcasting of digital radio and television, thrives, conquered about 20% market share and posted strong profitability. And with the arrival of six new DTT channels in high definition, the broadcast market will continue to rise. We hope to enjoy. However, this asset is not in our heart of business and if an investor offers us a good price, I will examine the proposal.
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