Mexico's media empire Televisa on Thursday reported 2005 revenue up 8% to more than $3 billion with earnings up 37.3% to $576.4 million compared with the year before, thanks to strong broadcast sales and soaring numbers for satellite TV subscribers.
Revs increased in all major divisions -- broadcast, satellite TV, cable, pay TV, radio and publishing -- giving results well above expectations.
Analysts expect conglom, led by CEO and chairman Emilio Azcarraga Jean, to grow 9% or more this year fueled by continued pay TV growth and windfall ad revenue of around $150 million from this summer's soccer World Cup and July's national elections.
For fourth quarter 2005, total revenue grew 11% to $909 million while earnings were up 33% to $237 million thanks to growth in the broadcasting unit boosted by successful formats and political ads.
Boffo ratings for dance reality contest "Bailando por un sueno" (Dancing for a Dream) allowed net to place nine-minute commercial spots between mambos.
Satellite TV provider Sky Mexico posted 21.7% growth in revenue. Its only competitor, DirecTV, shuttered last year driving nearly 250,000 new subs to Sky. It's the only platform offering complete World Cup coverage, which could push sub growth even more.
Televisa has more than $1 billion in cash and may want to spend some of that extending its influence on U.S Spanish-language web Univision, which is on the block. Televisa provides the telenovelas that give Univision its primetime ratings dominance.
But a lawsuit with Univision over that output deal gives Televisa leverage to demand a sweeter deal for its content with any buyers.
Televisa, the world's biggest producer of Spanish-language content, will launch a TV channel in Spain this year with local partners and continues to evaluate moving into Brazil.
Last year, web also won permission to operate betting parlors in Mexico. Net is expected to ramp up gaming and division could be a major revenue stream next year.
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