eOne Reports Healthy 2014 Results

TORONTO/LONDON: Entertainment One (eOne) posted revenue of £819.6 million ($1.3 billion) for the year ended March 31, up 30 percent on 2013, driven by a full year's ownership of the Alliance business.

Film revenues were up 33 percent to £686.9 million ($1.15 billion), supported by increased investment in acquired content and productions, up 104 percent on the prior year. Television revenues were £162.2 million ($273 million), an increase of 22 percent. Investment in acquired content rights and production was 4-percent lower than the previous year.

The group reported an underlying EBITDA of £92.3 million ($155 million), up 48 percent on 2013. Profit before tax was up 45 percent, to £77.9 million ($131 million).

Darren Throop, the president and CEO of Entertainment One, said: “It has been another very positive year for Entertainment One and I am delighted to report a year of growth and higher margins. This strong operating performance again demonstrates the strength of our strategy of investing in content rights and exploiting them across multiple territories and multiple consumer platforms. The company’s entry into the FTSE 250 and the payment of an inaugural dividend mark another milestone in eOne’s development and continues our track record of delivering an improved return on investment for our shareholders.”

The company released over 275 films theatrically over the year, and delivered 317 half hours of original television in various genres. Investment in acquired content rights and productions increased by 27 percent to £271.2 million ($456.3 million). It reported that the group's content library has increased in value by 85 percent to more than $650 million. Digital sales, which now account for 21 percent of group revenues, increased 38 percent year-on-year to £172 million ($289 million).