Nation Group confident of 20% growth for 2012

Among the group’s businesses, Nation Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) will grow by an average of 10-15 per cent even though its two programmes on Modernine TV were killed by MCOT. Nation International Edutainment (Nine) is set to expand by 30 per cent this year.
The group is confident about its growth target thanks to the successful launches of its satellite television business and Nation University. NMG forecasts revenue continuing to pick up at the same rate of 20 per cent in the second quarter.
The group reported total revenue of Bt2.7 billion last year.
NMG president Duangkamol Chotana said yesterday that revenue was driven by advertisements in print media and new businesses such as satellite TV.
“The group’s main revenue will come from our publishing business as advertising spending tends to increase. The group will also realise revenue of Bt50 million from the launch of Krungthep Turakij television by this August,” she said.
The recently established publishing business in Myanmar is expected to start contributing revenue by the final quarter of this year, but it will not be much as it is in the start-up stage. The business comes under a joint venture called Eleven Nation Media, formed by NMG and Eleven Media Group of Myanmar, with NMG holding 49 per cent.
Nation University is also expected to start contributing revenue this quarter after opening enrolment for new students.
Nine will produce new TV programmes for its subsidiary next quarter to generate revenue. Its total revenue is forecast to increase by 30 per cent.
Adisak Limprungpatanakit, president of NBC, said the company would achieve its revenue growth target of 10-15 per cent this year. It is preparing to produce two TV shows for the NBC channel, starting on July 2. They are “Khaow Khon Rub Aroon” (Morning Hot News) and “Khaow Khon Kon Nation” (Hot News by the Nation Team).
“The strategy will also compensate for the loss of 50 per cent of revenue from the two news programmes withdrawn from MCOT,” he said.
NBC is still producing TV programmes for other free-TV channels, which also generates revenue, he added.
Sermsin Samalapa, vice president of NMG, said the group’s future businesses would support its steady growth. Having satellite TV, the university and joint ventures abroad will help reduce the risk from relying solely on the publishing business.
The group plans to list the joint venture on the stock exchange in Myanmar.