Eurosport: 5.1% drop in sales, but profitability increased over nine months in 2013

The pay-TV group Eurosport generated €342.5 million in sales over the first nine months of 2013, down 5.1% compared to the same period in 2012 (€360.8 million), indicated the broadcaster TF1, who owns 80% of Eurosport, during the presentation of its results for the first three quarters of 2013, on the 07/11/2013.

The decrease of €18.3 million of Eurosport's income was mainly due to a drop in advertising revenues over the period, which went from €77.7 million in 2012 to €65.2 million in 2013, a €12.5 million (16.1%) decline.

"Due to a tough comparative following the strong sporting calendar of 2012 (UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament and the London Olympics) Eurosport advertising revenue fell by 16.1%. Bear in mind that in the first nine months of 2012, Eurosport advertising revenue surged by 36.1% (or €20.6 million)," said TF1 in a statement on the 07/11/2013.

Despite the decline in advertising revenues, Eurosport improved profitability. The pan-European channel recorded, between the 01/01 and 30/09/2013, an operating profit of €54.7 million, an increase of €8.2 million, or 17.6%…