UK production down at RDF after Queengate

RDF Media’s UK production revenues were down 13.9% due to commissioning freezes imposed after Queengate, while the group saw growth in the US, RDF Rights and its children’s business in its six-month results today.

RDF’s UK production division, which houses content companies RDF Television, IWC Media, Touchpaper Television, Radar, Presentable, The Foundation and The Comedy Unit, saw revenues down 13.9% to £27.2m (US$50.5m) due to effect of the commissioning freeze at the beginning of the period.

The company said that commissioning freezes had a longer-term negative impact than originally anticipated following the row over the documentary about the Queen. The BBC only lifted its freeze in March this year. ITV lifted its ban in November.

However, the firm said it expected to be making recovery with Returning shows such as Celebrity Wife Swap (Channel 4), Secret Millionaire (C4), Shipwrecked (C4) and Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Sky1).

In the firm’s US division, revenue was up 78.1% to £16.9m. Following the recruitment of a new management team for RDF USA in 2006, the firm said it has established itself as a regular supplier of programming to the US broadcast and cable networks.

Wife Swap has been re-ordered for a further 13 episodes, while Don’t forget the Lyrics for Fox has also been picked up as a returning series. Secret Millionaire, also for Fox, is on production on its first series.

The company’s IP business RDF Rights saw revenues up 32.3%, while the company’s growing children’s and family business headed by former ITV controller Nigel Pickard was also credited for company growth.

CEO David Frank said: “After the challenges of 2007, I am confident that the group is getting back to business as usual. Our US and right businesses are growing while our UK production division, comprising the companies most directly affected last year, is once again competing successfully for new business.”

Group revenue was up 10.5% to £57m, while gross profit was £14.1m compared to £14.2m in the same period last year. The group posted an operating loss of £824,000 compared with £259,000 in 2007.