News story about a reported 22% year-on-year increase in revenues in Q4 2005 at UK media owner Guardian Media Group plc, written by Grant Goddard in January 2006 for The Radio Magazine.

1. NEWS: REVENUES INCREASED
22% YEAR-ON-YEAR AT
GUARDIAN MEDIA GROUP PLC
IN Q4 2005
by
GRANT GODDARD
www.grantgoddard.co.uk
January 2006

2. News: Revenues Increased 22% Year-On-Year At Guardian Media Group plc In Q4 2005 Page 2
©2006 Grant Goddard
Guardian Media Group plc [GMG], owner of the three 'Real Radio' and two
'Smooth FM' local commercial radio stations, increased revenues by 22% year-
on-year in the fourth quarter of 2005, following a 13% increase year-on-year
the previous quarter. GMG said that its business “remained commercially
strong due to its unique blend of local, regional and national revenue streams
which help protect it from market volatility.”
John Myers, CEO of GMG Radio, commented: “While the market is tougher,
our unique brands are demonstrating double digit growth with ever increasing
audience figures alongside them. The final quarter has also started well and I
am confident that the growth will continue over the coming months.”
Hours listened to GMG radio stations increased 14% year-on-year and the
group’s share of UK radio listening increased from 2.1% to 2.4%. Although the
Smooth brand has shown spectacular growth in the Manchester market (hours
listened up 102% year-on-year), the re-launch of 'Jazz FM' as Smooth has
been less successful in the more sophisticated London market (hours listened
down 36% year-on-year) where the station now attracts only a 1% share of
listening.
[First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'GMG Revenues Rise', #719, 18 January 2006]
Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of
experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy
roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at
http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk