RS reveals its performance in the first quarter, generating almost 700 million baht in revenue. It is confident that the media industry is still on the rise and will grow beyond expectation. After its schedule adjustment, its rating has soared by 30%. Siang Sawan Pichit Fan is a new program that is very popular at the moment. The company is confident that the second quarter will be just as strong following the change of Channel 8 into a digital TV channel, with many new programs in line such as new drama Dong Dok Ngew and new programs like Check In World Cup and Ung Tung Seaw.
Mr.Darm Nana, Chief Financial Officer of RS Public Company Limited recently revealed that in the first quarter of 2014, the company made 696 million baht in revenue, 23.2 million baht decrease from the same period last year because of the decrease in the sale of its music sector, as forecasted before. Its expenses rose by 110 million baht due to the making of new dramas and programs for Channel 8, as well as the booking of license cost of La Liga. The booking of license cost grew proportionately with the revenue. In this quarter, the sale of bundling and sublicensing caused a 4.5 million baht loss.
However, its media business grew despite the slow economy, especially Channel 8 after increasing drama air time to four hours a day, from formerly three hours a day, to meet its digital TV strategies to target every group of audience. The feedback from the rescheduling has been overwhelmingly positive - its rating grew by 30% within only one month and is expected to keep growing steadily.
In the first quarter, the company made 424.6 million baht revenue from its media business, a 110 million baht increase from the same period last year or a 35% growth. The significant increase was thanks to its five satellite TV channels namely Channel 8, Channel 2, Sabaidee TV, You Channel and Sun Channel, all of which saw their advertising slots sold out completely, particularly Channel 8 which has constantly enjoyed number one rating among satellite TV channels. Many of its new dramas and programs are already very popular such as Pak Pong, Banterng 108, Siang Sawan Pichit Fan and Sab Sang. Channel 2, which has been renamed and rebranded with a new logo in February, has also expanded its viewer base. Its popular programs include Kon Dung Nung Clear and Hi Entertain.
Additionally, its media business also enjoyed a boost from the performance of the three radio stations - COOL Fahrenheit 93 which has remained the most popular easy listening station for 12 years, Sabaidee Radio 88.5, and COOL Celsius 91.5. All of them have earned more revenue from the increased advertising rate, while the stations' activities were met with enthusiasm and positive feedback from sponsors and the audience.
Its music business generated 108.6 million baht, a 57.3% decrease from last year, due to the overall decrease in popularity of CD which resulted in lower sale. The albums released and the copies sold also decreased because the market slowed down consistently because consumers today have more choices to listen to music such as through their smartphone, on the internet or on media player devices. The political unrest over the past several months has also resulted in an economic downturn and slow spending.
Meanwhile, the company's showbiz sector made 162 million baht, an 8.7% growth from the previous year due to the rise in average income from hired production work. Main events in the first quarter were Sabaidee On Tour 2014, Sabaidee Road Show, and Channel 8 Brings Luck on Chinese New Year.
It is expected that the second quarter of this year will see a sharp growth in the TV business because Channel 8, which has been rated number 1 on satellite TV, will be made into a digital TV channel. Many new programs will be introduced such as a new drama Dong Dok Ngew produced by Kong Piya Sawetpikul, starring Pete Thongjua, Paula Taylor and Four Sakolrat Woraurai. Check In World Cup will be hosted by soccer guru Boy Tanapat Duangjit and ex sports news presenter Nina Suthita Rueangronghirunya, taking the audience to get to know the 32 final teams of World Cup 2014. Ung Tung Seaw is hosted by Kung Suthirat Wongthewan, Mod Napapat Wattanakamonwut and Somjit Jongjorhor, taking the audience to unseen destinations, sacred places and mysterious scenes. Channel 2 has been moved to channel 2 on every platform to make it easier to access and remember.