"New dynamics for the company"
For its high investment volumes for Winner Market and TV 3, TA-Media AG does not need the injection of the stock exchange, explains Michel M. Favre, Chairman of the Management Board.
For its high investment volumes for Winner Market and TV 3, TA-Media AG does not need the injection of the stock market, explains Michel M. Favre, Chief Executive Officer.Mr. Favre, TV 3 and Winner Market will consume huge investments in the coming years, both with still uncertain success. Is TA-Media creating a financial cushion for all eventualities with the IPO? Michel M. Favre: Quite clearly, no. This is a decision by the extensive Coninx family, which wants to streamline its shareholder structure. The IPO makes it possible to compensate family shareholders who want to leave the company. We don't need an injection at all for our investments. We are healthy as a rock. We finance all our start-ups from the current year's budget. I'm happy about the decision to go public for another reason: It brings stimulation and a new dynamic to the company.
And it needs them, too. In the core business of newspapers and magazines, circulation stagnated last year at Facts and Tagi. Schweizer Familie and Annabelle suffered heavy losses. Can you live with that?
Favre: Keyword Annabelle: It's not interesting to lose money on a circulation of 120000 copies. But now we're at a good 100,000 - and have an attractive return. Every magazine has its life cycle; Annabelle has now initiated a clear forward strategy. I am optimistic that we are on the right track with this.
And the problem child Swiss family?
Favre: Even 150,000 copies are a top performance in the Swiss market. We invest large sums in all our titles on an ongoing basis for further development. The Swiss Family is no exception. Because we believe in them. Their reorientation took a little more time, but I'm convinced that we've found a good basis with the current recipe.
The same cannot be said of TV 3. Will TV 3 concentrate its resources in a few high-viewership but expensive formats in the future and make the rest of its programming leaner?
Favre: No, we have a station concept according to which each day of the week has its own profile. We are constantly expanding this concept, step by step.
Interview: Daniel Schifferle
And it needs them, too. In the core business of newspapers and magazines, circulation stagnated last year at Facts and Tagi. Schweizer Familie and Annabelle suffered heavy losses. Can you live with that?
Favre: Keyword Annabelle: It's not interesting to lose money on a circulation of 120000 copies. But now we're at a good 100,000 - and have an attractive return. Every magazine has its life cycle; Annabelle has now initiated a clear forward strategy. I am optimistic that we are on the right track with this.
And the problem child Swiss family?
Favre: Even 150,000 copies are a top performance in the Swiss market. We invest large sums in all our titles on an ongoing basis for further development. The Swiss Family is no exception. Because we believe in them. Their reorientation took a little more time, but I'm convinced that we've found a good basis with the current recipe.
The same cannot be said of TV 3. Will TV 3 concentrate its resources in a few high-viewership but expensive formats in the future and make the rest of its programming leaner?
Favre: No, we have a station concept according to which each day of the week has its own profile. We are constantly expanding this concept, step by step.
Interview: Daniel Schifferle
