Mfe-Mediaset closed 2024 with results in contrast compared to the other European broadcasters. In an unstable economic context and without the contribution of sporting events such as the European football and the Paris Olympics, Mfe managed to grow.
The sales It has touched 2.949 billion euros, up 5%, while net profit rose to 251 million euros, marking a +15% compared to the previous year. Pier Silvio Berlusconi, CEO of Mfe, commented with satisfaction the results: “We have passed the expectations despite the challenges and continue to invest to innovate and strengthen our position in Europe”.
In turnover and growing net growing: the data
2024 was a year of strong growth for Mfe-mediasetthanks to a advertising collection increase of 4.7%, higher than expectations. In Italy, the advertising market share reached a record of 40.9%, confirming MFE’s leadership in the sector.
The consolidated net profit touched the 251 million euroswith an increase of 15%, while the “Adjusted” operating result risen to 370 million euros, recording a +18%. The operating cash generation was also robust, allowing to reduce net financial debt to 692 million euros, the lowest level of the last ten years.
Pier Silvio Berlusconi underlined how Mfe passed the initial expectations, with a net profit over 60% more than the forecasts. He also highlighted the success of the group’s cross -media system, which integrates television, radio, web and digital out of home, offering advertisers a unique and highly effective ecosystem.
Challenge to Big Tech: Berlusconi asks for EQUI rules
During the presentation of the results, Pier Silvio Berlusconi launched a clear message to Europe, asking for more equil market rules to compete with the big techs and streaming giants. “We are ready for the European challenge, but it is necessary that there are more right rules for everyone”, he said, adding that “the big techs and streaming giants enjoy competitive advantages that, in the long run, will penalize not only traditional media, but all national and European companies”.
According to the CEO that MFE is changing, the competition is learned because the big tech are not subject to the same regulatory obligations as traditional publishers and enjoy tax and regulatory advantages. For this, Berlusconi therefore asked for the intervention of the European Union to guarantee fair competition and defend the European market.
Perspectives for 2025: European expansion and beyond
Mfe aims to strengthen its presence in Italy and Spain, investing even more in local products and evaluating expansions in other European countries. Mfe is in fact pursuing a European expansion strategy to consolidate its leadership in the media market. Currently, the group holds 29.99% of the votes in continuation, a strategic participation that could soon become a complete acquisition.
In addition, Mfe is evaluating thechannel acquisition Free TVn, the main Polish Broadcaster by Warner Bros. Discovery. To finance these operations, MFE has requested a financing of 3.9 billion euros.
