REG - Zinc Media Group PLC - Trading update

Zinc MediaAnnouncement

10/02/2025 07:15

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RNS Number : 4926W  Zinc Media Group PLC  10 February 2025

Zinc Media Group plc

("Zinc" or the "Group")

 

Trading update

 

Zinc Media Group plc (AIM: ZIN), the award-winning television, brand and audio
production group, is pleased to announce a trading update for the period
ending December 2024, subject to audit.

 

Financial Highlights

·      Adjusted EBITDA increased by 50% to £1.5m (FY23: £1.0m), in
line with market expectations

·   Revenue of £32m from continuing operations (FY23: £40m) reflecting
portfolio changes, including the disposal and closure of non-core businesses
during the year, and some opportunities moving into the new financial year
which have now been commissioned

·    Better than expected year end gross cash of £6.3m (31 December
2023: £4.9m), following positive cash generation for the second year running,
and £1.3m net cash

·      Strong forward order book up 24% on the same point last year,
with £21m secured for FY25 as at 7(th) February 2025

Operational Highlights

·      Completed acquisition of Raw Cut TV in October 2024, which is
trading well since acquisition

·      Completed sale of Zinc Communicate Publishing and discontinued
video marketing business, focusing the Group on higher margin television and
brand content production

·      Launched Electric Violet, a new entertainment label expanding the
Group's capabilities beyond factual television

Commenting on the performance, CEO Mark Browning said:

 

"The Group has undergone an exceptional transformation in recent years,
further enhanced in FY24 by the disposal of the non-core business, Zinc
Communicate Publishing, the acquisition of Raw Cut TV and the launch of our
first entertainment label Electric Violet. Together, these actions have
focused the Group on its higher margin television and content production,
whilst broadening its offering in this sector; positioning the Group for
further growth.

 

"The start of the new financial year has been excellent, with a slew of new,
high-profile commissions and launches including the BBC documentary Israel and
the Palestinians and a new multimillion pound primetime quiz show, The Inner
Circle, hosted by Amanda Holden. Forward bookings for the current year are
well ahead of the same time last year, and we have a strong pipeline for the
year ahead. This level of activity demonstrates the strength of our reputation
in the industry and underpins our confidence in the continuing profitable
growth of the Group."

 

 

Operational developments

 

During the year, Zinc made substantial progress in executing its strategic
plan, building on investment in organic and acquisitive growth in recent years
to double the size of the business, expand its offering, and diversify the
revenue mix.

 

During the year, the Group completed the disposal of a non-core business unit,
Zinc Communicate Publishing and closed its legacy video marketing business,
focusing the Group on its core, higher margin, television and brand content
production. This is underpinned by a strong platform of infrastructure and
specialist expertise providing scalability and operational leverage as the
Group grows through investment and selective M&A.

 

The acquisition of Raw Cut Ventures Limited, owner of Raw Cut Television, the
UK leader in 'Blue Light' programming (embedded with police and emergency
services), strengthened production capabilities and expanded Zinc's footprint
into Wales resulting in UK-wide presence for the Group. Additionally, the
Group launched Electric Violet, a new entertainment label led by a former
Strictly Come Dancing and The Voice Executive Producer, marking its expansion
beyond factual television into an exciting sector underpinned by proprietary
IP rights.

 

The Edge continues to perform well securing long-term contracts across the
professional services, financial, and industrial sectors.  Furthermore, its
presence in Middle Eastern markets is expanding, while The Edge's Learning
division has seen notable growth. Recent highlights include major projects
enhancing Network Rail's workforce skills, mandatory learning around risk for
a global professional services firm and pioneering safety training for Calor
Gas.

 

This strong operational progress in FY24 was delivered against a backdrop of
continued industry volatility and is testament to Zinc's trusted reputation
for quality in its sector.

 

Notable new business wins in the year included commissions for a new
multi-million pound series for a major global streaming platform, produced by
Atomic Television, and a major new biopic on one of the biggest pop bands of
the 20th century produced by Supercollider. The Group has also saw a pleasing
level of recommissions, including a new series featuring Rob Rinder and Rylan
Clark, titled Rob & Rylan's Passage to India from Rex, sequel to the
highly acclaimed Rob & Rylan's Grand Tour, and a new 80-episode series of
Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, produced by Red Sauce.

 

Current trading and outlook for FY25

 

Momentum into the new year has been excellent, with a record level of forward
bookings driven by the Group winning £16m of television production work in
the last five months, including eight series each worth over £1m placing the
Group significantly ahead of prior periods at this point in the year. As at
7(th) February 2025, revenue secured and anticipated to be recognised in FY25
is £21m, representing an 24% uplift compared with last year. Commissions and
launches secured in the year so far include:

 

·      A new BBC documentary series, Israel and the Palestinians: The
Road to 7 October, chronicling the decisions that have shaped the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict over the past two decades;

·      The Inner Circle, a brand new multi-million pound BBC prime time
quiz show, hosted by national TV and radio star Amanda Holden; in which Zinc
owns the programme and format rights;

·      A four-part powerful and immersive documentary series for BBC
Scotland, Jailed: Women in Prison, providing an unprecedented look at two of
Scotland's female prisons.

·      A 3-part series for Channel 4 'Living Las Vegas' featuring
renowned actor Martin Compston, providing a deep dive into the glitz and grit
of Las Vegas.

 

Looking ahead, the Group has a solid pipeline with £4m of potential revenue
in highly advanced stages of discussion, and extensive additional earlier
stage opportunities also ongoing, supporting its confidence in the year ahead.

 

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 Zinc Media Group plc                                                                                                                                                                                                                             +44 (0) 20 7878 2311

 Mark Browning, CEO / Will Sawyer, CFO

 www.zincmedia.com
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 Singer Capital Markets (Nominated Adviser and Broker)                                                                                                                                                                                            +44 (0) 20 7496 3000

 James Moat / Sam Butcher

 MHP                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              +44 (0) 7817 458804

 Oliver Hughes / Eleni Menikou / Ollie Hoare

 

 

About Zinc Media Group

Zinc Media Group plc is a premium television and content creation group.

 

The award-winning and critically acclaimed television labels comprise Atomic,
Brook Lapping, Electric Violet, Raw Cut, Rex, Red Sauce, Supercollider, Tern
Television, Tomas TV along with Bumblebee Post-Production, and produce
programmes across a wide range of factual genres for UK and international
broadcasters.

 

Zinc Media Group's commercial content creation unit includes The Edge Picture
Company, one of the UK's largest brand film-making companies, and Zinc Audio,
specialising in podcasts and radio production.

 

For further information on Zinc Media, please visit www.zincmedia.com
(https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/___http:/www.zincmedia.com___.bXQtcHJvZC1jcC1ldXcyLTE6bmV4dDE1OmM6bzpkOTdhZjhkNzU3NmVhMzhkOTQyYTkyNjMzYjU5ZmU1Mzo2OjhlYTQ6MGNiNmM3MDE5N2QzMDhkNGUyYzFmYzhkYjg0ZmQwYTg5ZTY5NzU4ODMwOTUxZDk3YzQ0ZmFjZDViYTk3NzI1ZjpwOkY6Tg)

 

 

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