"Shares are becoming affordable"
Albert P. Stäheli, Group CEO of Espace Media, on redundancies, budgets and the splitting of the company's shares.
Albert P. Stäheli, Group CEO of Espace Media, on redundancies, budgets and the splitting of the company's shares.WW: Espace Media Groupe announces further cost reductions in its annual report. Are the redundancies at the Berner Zeitung, which the SonntagsZeitung reported, the first step?
Albert P. Stäheli: The fact is that the Espace Media Groupe has 1034 full-time positions. The fact is that 1.5 jobs were made redundant at the Berner Zeitung in May. Do you think that's worth reporting?
But we are making savings? Yes, we are examining various rationalization options, and not just at the Berner Zeitung. Although Espace Media Groupe's first quarter results were up on the previous year, they were below budget. Of course we therefore have to take measures on the cost side.
You proved last year with the federal government that saving money helps.
With a loss of around 0.8 million, Bund Verlag AG closed the year better than expected. Subscription income was even slightly lower than we had budgeted. Advertising revenues were pretty much on target. But in terms of costs, some measures were implemented earlier than planned, so that the shortfall was halved again compared to the forecast. Incidentally, the Confederation itself broke even; the shortfall was caused by the Anzeiger Region Bern.
The circulation of the Solothurner Tagblatt has also reached your target: a year ago you were talking about 5,000 copies, today there are 5,334. What target have you set yourself for this year?
It is still too early to set targets. Development will certainly continue. Sometimes rather erratically, because expansion depends largely on where the Tagblatt is distributed. We are still of the opinion that there is a need for a Solothurn title with a Bernese connection.
TeleBärn has increased its turnover, although viewer numbers are stagnating. When will the station reach the black?
This depends on whether the new Radio and TV Act is implemented quickly. The program could be expanded with a share of the fee splitting. This would ensure increasing viewer numbers. If the splitting is delayed, it will remain at its current level for the time being.
Espace Media has announced a share split that is intended to create "optimal conditions for the sustainable further development" of the Group. Who would you like to bring into the shareholder base?
We want the company to be more broadly based. The value of the shares has grown enormously and is now around CHF 6,000 each. The splitting will reduce it to CHF 300, making the shares affordable for interested parties from our readership. In addition, the requirement that buyers must have a close connection to the region will be abolished. In future, a place of residence in Switzerland will suffice.
(sm)
Albert P. Stäheli: The fact is that the Espace Media Groupe has 1034 full-time positions. The fact is that 1.5 jobs were made redundant at the Berner Zeitung in May. Do you think that's worth reporting?
But we are making savings? Yes, we are examining various rationalization options, and not just at the Berner Zeitung. Although Espace Media Groupe's first quarter results were up on the previous year, they were below budget. Of course we therefore have to take measures on the cost side.
You proved last year with the federal government that saving money helps.
With a loss of around 0.8 million, Bund Verlag AG closed the year better than expected. Subscription income was even slightly lower than we had budgeted. Advertising revenues were pretty much on target. But in terms of costs, some measures were implemented earlier than planned, so that the shortfall was halved again compared to the forecast. Incidentally, the Confederation itself broke even; the shortfall was caused by the Anzeiger Region Bern.
The circulation of the Solothurner Tagblatt has also reached your target: a year ago you were talking about 5,000 copies, today there are 5,334. What target have you set yourself for this year?
It is still too early to set targets. Development will certainly continue. Sometimes rather erratically, because expansion depends largely on where the Tagblatt is distributed. We are still of the opinion that there is a need for a Solothurn title with a Bernese connection.
TeleBärn has increased its turnover, although viewer numbers are stagnating. When will the station reach the black?
This depends on whether the new Radio and TV Act is implemented quickly. The program could be expanded with a share of the fee splitting. This would ensure increasing viewer numbers. If the splitting is delayed, it will remain at its current level for the time being.
Espace Media has announced a share split that is intended to create "optimal conditions for the sustainable further development" of the Group. Who would you like to bring into the shareholder base?
We want the company to be more broadly based. The value of the shares has grown enormously and is now around CHF 6,000 each. The splitting will reduce it to CHF 300, making the shares affordable for interested parties from our readership. In addition, the requirement that buyers must have a close connection to the region will be abolished. In future, a place of residence in Switzerland will suffice.
(sm)
