Kuala lumpur, June 13 – Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd recorded a lower pre-tax profit of RM157.8 million for its first quarter (Q1) ended April 30, 2013 from RM171.9 million in the same period a year ago.
However, its revenue rose by 14 per cent to RM1.125 billion from RM986 million previously, the group said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia today. Its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Rohana Rozhan said the growth in revenue was underpinned by higher number of pay-TV and NJOI subscribers, an increase in revenue average revenue per user (ARPU) and growth in advertising expenditure (Adex).
Powered by higher television viewership and radio listenership, Astro’s Adex grew 21 per cent to RM115 million in Q1, outperforming the industry’s growth rate.
The quarter saw the number of pay-TV subscribers increasing by 40,000 to 3.32 million from RM3.28 million previously, while NJOI customers grew by 55,000 to 264,000 from 209,000 in the fourth quarter of its financial year ended Jan 31, 2013 (Q4FY13).
The total customer base now stood at 3.58 million, representing 53 per cent of the total television households in Malaysia, said Rohana. The number of subscribers on Astro B.yond increased to 2.18 million (Q4FY13:1.97 million), representing 66 per cent of the total pay-TV subscribers (Q4FY13: 60 per cent).
“We have also been able to drive higher take-up of value-added products and services, increasing ARPU to RM94.20 against (Q4FY13: RM93.20).
“This is our peak reinvestment year. As such, we are encouraged by the
strong demand for our comprehensive suite of value-added products and services,”
said Rohana.
Meanwhile, Astro Chairman Tun Zaki Azmi said the company was committed to delivering total returns to shareholders, combining a progressive dividend policy with investment in the business to generate capital appreciation.
“The group declared a first interim dividend of 2.0 sen per share, 33 per cent higher than the 1.5 per share interim dividend paid in the last two quarters,” said Zaki.
-BERNAMA
