Financial results for the period January - June 2002

FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY - JUNE 2002 Stockholm, August 5, 2002 - Modern Times Group MTG AB ("MTG") (Stockholmsbörsen: MTGA, MTGB; Nasdaq: MTGNY) today announced its preliminary financial results for the first six months of 2002. · NET SALES AMOUNTED TO SEK 1,505 (1,627) MILLION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER, DUE TO WEAK ADVERTISING MARKETS. · OPERATING INCOME AMOUNTED TO SEK 204 (115) MILLION FOR THE QUARTER, INCLUDING SEK 163 MILLION CAPITAL GAIN FROM SALE OF 5% STAKE IN TV4 AB AND LOWER SHARE OF EARNINGS FROM ASSOCIATED COMPANIES OF SEK -16 (36) MILLION. · PAY-TV OPERATING INCOME DOUBLED DURING THE QUARTER TO SEK 88 (45) MILLION WITH INCREASED NUMBER OF DIGITAL SUBSCRIBERS AND THE NUMBER OF GOLD SUBSCRIBERS WERE STABLE. · TV3 BALTICS NET SALES UP 39% QUARTER-ON-QUARTER, AND OPERATING INCOME AMOUNTED TO SEK 11 (-4) MILLION. · THE NEW MEDIA BUSINESS AREA PROFITABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A QUARTERLY BASIS WITH AN OPERATING INCOME OF 8 (-32). FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2002 2001 2002 2001 2001 Q2 Q2 H1 H1 FY In SEK million Net sales 1,505 1,627 2,922 3,135 6,402 Earnings before depreciation and 262 175 345 297 596 amortisation Operating income 204 115 224 181 360 - of which, non- 163 - 163 - -15 recurring items Net interest and other -151 -30 -110 -58 -110 financial items * Pre tax profit 53 85 114 123 250 Net income 15 36 47 60 121 Earnings per share (SEK) 0.22 0.55 0.71 0.90 1.82 Total assets 6,869 7,479 6,869 7,479 6,941 * Net interest and other financial items includes net interest costs of SEK 11 million for the quarter and SEK 25 million for the first six months, and unrealised exchange rate losses of SEK 126 million for the quarter and losses of SEK 71 million for the first six months, mainly relating to the translation of receivables on Metro from USD to SEK, and the translation of the convertible bonds from EUR to SEK. THE GROUP MTG is an international media company with principal operations in eight countries in the Scandinavian and the Baltic regions. Certain subsidiaries operate globally and consequently MTG totally operates in more than 30 countries. The business consists of seven business areas. The TV operations are included in Viasat Broadcasting, production of movies and TV-programmes in Modern Studios, traditional home-shopping and e-commerce in TV-Shop, subtitling and dubbing in SDI Media, printed products including services containing financial information in MTG Publishing, commercial radio stations in MTG Radio, and businesses such as a digital TV and teletext services in New Media. MTG is the largest Free-TV operator in the Nordic and Baltic regions, as well as the third largest DTH Pay-TV operator in Europe, with the largest number of DTH subscribers in the Nordic region. MTG is the global market leader when it comes to subtitling and dubbing, and the largest commercial radio operator in northern Europe. Through Strix Television, MTG is the leading Reality TV producer on the international market. In May MTG reduced its share holding in TV4 by one million shares, resulting in a capital gain of SEK 163 million. MTG's interest in TV4 is thereby decreased to 3,020,013 shares or from 20.1% to 15.1% of the capital. As a result, MTG's participation in the earnings of TV4 has only been consolidated until the middle of May 2002, and will not be included in the future. MTG subscribed to an issue of convertible notes by its former subsidiary, international publishing group Metro International S.A. during May. The principle amount of the notes is USD 20 million, with a five-year yield to maturity in 2007. The notes are convertible into Metro International S.A. B shares at a price of USD 2.01 (SEK 20.50) per share and have an annual coupon of 6.25%. MTG received regulatory approval for its acquisition of 36.3% of the shares in the privately owned US company, StoryFirst Communications, Inc. The company owns a majority stake in the second largest commercial TV network in Russia as well as shares in six Russian radio stations. Earnings from this associated company have been consolidated with effect from 1 January 2002. Viasat Broadcasting launched a second free-TV station in Lithuania, Tango TV, in April. During the quarter MTG's teletext business expanded its operations in Spain by launching its services on Canal 7 in Madrid. Earlier this year Everytext expanded its teletext services on eight local TV stations in Spain. DVDON, a new Internet site, offering sale of DVDs, was successfully launched during the quarter. During the first quarter 2002 MTG acquired the remaining shares in its Estonian television and radio operations, the Lugna Favoriter radio station in Stockholm, as well as the weekly financial newspaper Vision, which was merged with Finanstidningen into the new daily business paper Finans Vision. OPERATING REVIEW BY BUSINESS AREA During the period TV8 has been moved from Publishing to Viasat Broadcasting and the historical figures have been re-stated accordingly. Viasat Broadcasting Viasat Broadcasting produces and broadcasts 20 TV-channels in nine countries. The channels include the well-known brands TV3 and TV1000. From being a successful Scandinavian and Baltic broadcaster, the formats have recently been exported to new growth territories such as Viasat3 in Hungary and Darial TV and CTC in Russia. Due to the weak advertisement markets in Scandinavia, the revenues for the free-TV stations in the territory has decreased, whereas the TV stations in the Baltic's and in Russia increased sales in strong markets. Share of earnings from Story First Communications Inc. is included in the operating income for the period. Net sales for the Pay TV operations, increased by 12% and the operating income doubled year-on-year. (Thousands subscribers) June 2002 June 2001 Cardholders 1,045 1,115 - of which, digital subscribers 577 486 Viasat Gold package premium 426 420 subscribers Other premium package subscribers 30 40 TV1000 488 489 Net sales: SEK 1,140 (1,152) million for the second quarter and SEK 2,145 (2,180) million year to date Operating income: SEK 262 (173) million for the second quarter and SEK 326 (259) million year to date Modern Studios Modern Studios includes the content producing companies of MTG, with the leading production house of Reality TV formats - Strix Television, the market leader of Swedish cinema distribution - Sonet, the international movie rights company - Modern Entertainment, and the new game producer Modern Games as well as the boxing promotion company Modern Sports and Events. Weaker demand from broadcasters, as well as a back-end loaded movie release schedule for Sonet during 2002, have impacted sales and profitability during the quarter. Net sales: SEK 137 (152) million for the second quarter and SEK 274 (324) million year to date Operating income: SEK 4 (17) million for the second quarter and SEK 13 (37) million year to date TV-Shop TV-Shop includes traditional home shopping, e-commerce through CDON, which is the second largest Internet CD retailer in Scandinavia, and the logistics company, ECL. TV-Shop reaches more than 100 million people in Europe, including its 24- hour shopping channel PIN24 in the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Despite the adverse impact of sales during the quarter due to the World Cup in football, the company improved its operating income to SEK 0.1 (- 11) million. CDON increased its revenues by 59% in the quarter and the company is profitable since twelve months. DVDON, a new Internet site, offering sale of DVDs, was successfully launched during the quarter in order to capture market share in the strong growing DVD segment. Net sales: SEK 152 (188) million for the second quarter and SEK 323 (400) million year to date Operating income: SEK 4 (-10) million for the second quarter and SEK 12 (-1) million year to date SDI Media SDI Media operates in 19 countries and is the global market leader in the field of translating, subtitling and dubbing for TV, Video, Film and DVD, with more than 60% of the world market share in DVD feature subtitling. SDI Media has contracts with all of the major Hollywood Studios as well as international TV-channels such as Discovery. The business area increased net sales by 6% in the second quarter, improved operating income by 88%, and delivered an operating profit margin of 15% (8%). Net sales: SEK 102 (96) million for the second quarter and SEK 192 (179) million year to date Operating income: SEK 15 (8) million for the second quarter and SEK 23 (14) million year to date Publishing Publishing includes the Group's companies that produce information services in the financial segment, such as Finans Vision, the largest daily business paper in Stockholm. The successful publishing house, Brombergs, is also incorporated in the business area, as well as the Swedish monthly magazines, Moderna Tider and Kapital. The new daily financial paper Finans Vision, launched in March, was further developed to a free distributed financial daily newspaper in Stockholm during the quarter, in addition to home delivery for the newspaper's subscribers, and thereby delivering a higher concentration of the reader target group to advertisers. The ongoing cost base has consequently been further reduced during the second quarter. The launch of the new product in combination with a continued weak print advertising market has impacted the revenues negatively during the quarter. Net sales: SEK 26 (47) million for the second quarter and SEK 70 (94) million year to date Operating income: SEK -24 (-14) million for the second quarter and SEK - 50 (-25) million year to date Radio MTG Radio is the largest commercial radio operator in northern Europe, and owns or holds stakes in the leading commercial radio networks in Sweden (Rix FM), Norway (P4 Radio Hele Norge), and Finland (Radio Nova). In addition to this the Group owns the Star FM radio stations in Estonia and Latvia, and Power Hit Radio in Tallinn. MTG Radio acquired Lugna Favoriter during the first quarter and is thereby the owner of the two highest rated commercial radio stations in Stockholm, Lugna Favoriter and Power Hit Radio. During the second quarter net sales increased due to the acquisition of Lugna Favoriter. MTG Radio gained market shares in a weak advertisement market. The combination of higher operating costs for running Lugna Favoriter and lower share of earnings from participations, which reached SEK -12 (8) million, have impacted the results during the second quarter. Net sales: SEK 44 (38) million for the second quarter and SEK 76 (68) million year to date Operating income: SEK -17 (6) million for the second quarter and SEK - 29 (8) million year to date New Media New Media includes MTG's teletext operations in Scandinavia and in Spain, the new services on the digital-TV platform and mobile Internet services. The division also includes MTG's 50% share of the Nordic operations of Everyday.com. The growth in net sales of 18% is mainly attributable to a strong performance in the teletext operation, which also expanded its business during the quarter by introducing teletext services on additional TV stations in Spain. The operating margin on the wholly owned businesses amounted to 46% or SEK 12 (-12) million for the second quarter. Everyday.com has been downscaled during the year, which improved the results to SEK -4 (-20) million during the quarter. Net sales: SEK 26 (22) million for the second quarter and SEK 55 (43) million year to date Operating income: SEK 8 (-32) million for the second quarter and SEK 4 (- 47) million year to date FINANCIAL REVIEW Equity/assets ratio The Group's equity to assets ratio was 46% (44%) at 30 June 2002. The ratio is defined as the sum of consolidated equity and minority interests, including the ? 120 million of subordinated convertible debentures, as a percentage of total assets. The Group holds minority interests in TV4 AB and P4 Radio Hele Norge ASA, as well as shares in, and convertible loans to, Metro International S.A. These holdings are treated as fixed assets. The aggregate market value of these securities amounted to SEK 1,029 (1,825) million at 30 June 2002. The combined book value of these securities amounts to SEK 639 (576) million. After adjusting for differences in market values and book values and deferred taxes, the equity to assets ratio at 30 June 2002 was 48% (51%). The Group reduced its shareholding in TV4 AB during the quarter with 5 % to 15,1%. Liquid funds The Group's liquid funds, including available credit facilities, amounted to SEK 362 (828) million at June 30 2002. Net debt The Group's net debt amounted to SEK 1,181 (889) million at the close of the reporting period. The Group's net debt is defined as interest- bearing liabilities, including the convertible debentures, less interest- bearing assets. Excluding the convertible debentures, MTG's net debt amounted to SEK 91 million. Capital expenditure The Group's capital expenditure during the first six months of the year amounted to SEK 44 (41) million. In addition to this the group invested 281 (76) million in shares and 204 million in convertible bonds in Metro International S.A. Depreciation The Group's depreciation and amortisation for the first half of 2002 amounted to SEK 121 (116) million. Earnings per share Earnings per share for the second quarter amounted to SEK 0.22 (0.55) and for the first half of 2002 earnings per share amounted to SEK 0.71 (0.90). OTHER INFORMATION MTG's financial results for the third quarter of 2002 and nine months ended 30 September 2002 will be released on 23 October 2002. This interim report has not been subject to review by the Company's auditors. Stockholm, August 5, 2002 Hans-Holger Albrecht President & CEO For further information, please visit www.mtg.se, email info@mtg.se, or contact: Hans-Holger Albrecht, President & CEO tel: +46 (0) 8 562 000 50 Mia Brunell, Chief Financial Officer tel: +46 (0) 8 562 000 50 Matthew Hooper, Investor & Press Relations tel: +44 (0) 20 7321 5010 Modern Times Group MTG AB has seven business areas: Viasat Broadcasting (free-to-air and pay TV channels in nine countries), New Media (text-TV, interactive digital-TV, and mobile Internet), Radio (seven networks in five countries), Publishing (financial news and information services), TV Shop (home shopping, e-commerce, and logistics), SDI Media (subtitling and dubbing services), and Modern Studios (content production and rights library). Modern Times Group MTG AB's class A and B shares are listed on the Stockholmsbörsen O-list (symbols: MTGA and MTGB) and ADRs are listed on the Nasdaq National Market in New York (symbol: MTGNY). ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/08/05/20020805BIT00330/wkr0002.pdf The full report