Interim Results

TV Commerce Holdings PLC 25 July 2005 TV Commerce Holdings plc Interim Results For the period ended 30 June 2005 TV Commerce Holdings plc ('TV Commerce' or the 'Group'), the AIM-listed operator of the SKY TV channels 'Your Destiny TV' and 'The Advert Channel', today reports its Interim Results for the period ended 30 June 2005. Highlights / recent activity • Turnover of £312,000 - in line with expectations. • Pre-tax loss of £267,000, reflecting the cost of setting up the channels. • The Group is now trading profitably. • Expansion of platform to include carriage on other SKY channels • Launch of live broadcasts to subscribers to '3' Mobile in May 2005 • Launch of mobile phone gaming joint venture with Probability Games Corporation in July 2005 • Licence granted by Ofcom to broadcast new 24 hour shopping channel during 2005 Commenting on the results, Vince Stanzione, Chief Executive of TV Commerce, said: 'Since coming to AIM in February of this year, TV Commerce has established a growing business with its premium rate calls and text messaging response to its SKY TV channels. The recent launch of the mobile phone gaming joint venture should also see a significant increased contribution to revenue and earnings and the Board remains confident of the outlook for the balance of the current year'. For further information, please contact: TV Commerce Vince Stanzione Tel: +44 (0) 1908 330 747 First City Financial Ltd Allan Piper Tel: +44 (0) 207 436 7486 Daniel Stewart & Co Lindsay Mair Tel: +44 (0) 207 847 0354 Statement by Andy Mintern, Chairman I am pleased to present our maiden interim results for the period to 30 June 2005, during which the Group has experienced both rapid and strategic growth to become a niche media company, with over 1,800 hours of interactive television broadcast to date. Performance for the period to 30 June 2005 The turnover for the period was £311,726, which largely reflected trading since March of this year. A loss of £266,614 was incurred after set up costs in relation to the TV channels. The Group's activities continue to be focused on the SKY TV platform, broadcasting niche programming to drive viewer interaction through Premium Rate number or Premium Billed text messaging. The Group, however, operates across a number of multi-media technologies to enhance the viewer experience which, in addition to TV and fixed line telephony, includes mobile telephony, MMS, SMS, WAP, 3G, the internet and Web TV. The Group's areas of operation currently include Psychic, Astrology, Chat and Dating and the recent expansion into Gaming and Betting is an exciting addition. 'Your Destiny TV' The 'Your Destiny TV' format continues to grow in strength and from a startup has become one of the most popular live interactive daytime formats on the SKY platform, reaching approximately eight million homes throughout the UK and Europe. In addition to broadcasts on SKY channel 694, broadcasting has been expanded through access to the 'L!VE TV', 'TTV' and 'You TV' Sky channels. 'Your Destiny TV' is the UK's first live psychic TV Channel, featuring well known psychics, astrologers and clairvoyants. Viewers interact with the show using Premium Rate telephone calls to obtain live 'one to one' readings, Premium Rate Text or Multi Media messaging to request a reading or to send photos or samples of handwriting to obtain readings by return. The speed of interaction enhances the enjoyment of the service with readings available within a minute, for example, of the user sending a photo from their phone. In March the Group's announced its partnership with Stream Group plc, to increase the Group's capacity to handle the increase in calls received through a recognised panel of psychic readers. In addition the Group's multimedia partner, Requestec, now handles over 800 text messages per day. In May the Group announced the expansion of this relationship with Requestec, to become the first TV channel to broadcast live TV to a mobile phone, through the '3' mobile network, dialing 85588 to view live transmission. In addition, by ' texting' the 85588 SMS code, readings can be obtained from other mobile networks, a service for which the Group now has over 10,000 subscribers. Psychic and Astrology matters continue to be closely regulated by Ofcom. In complying with existing regulations, the complexity of the regulations themselves provides a natural barrier to entry from increasing competition. The Group continues to review international expansion opportunities to include other countries where Premium Rate services have been registered, including Germany and the USA. The Group is also exploring the possibility of this expanding the 'Your Destiny TV' format to other TV networks, in addition to SKY. The Advert Channel The 'Advert Channel' represented the Group's first venture into TV broadcasting and was fully launched in September 2004 to become the most successful new niche channel launch of 2004, widely covered by the press and TV. Although the format has been successful and the Group maintains the intellectual property rights, the practical and financial considerations of providing a ' video juke box' format has led, in the immediate future, to the decision to focus resource on the 'Your Destiny TV' format. TV and Mobile Gaming The Group continues to expand its content offer and has developed a slot machine game which can be played on live TV. Viewers dial a Premium Rate number to have the chance of being selected to play the game, interacting with the programme presenter to win cash prizes of up to £10,000. Owning the intellectual property rights to the format and software application, the Group also has the possibility of licensing the game to other media owners worldwide. Whilst revenue from the TV games format is important, there is also the opportunity to generate additional sources of revenue from the database of players - who are also likely to be interested in other games of chance, including mobile gaming. Earlier this month the Group announced a joint venture to launch a fully licensed game for mobile phones called 'Mobile Casino'. Produced in partnership with the Probability Games Corporation, the service allows the download of casino games such as Blackjack, Slot Machines, Hi-Low, Roulette and Poker to the users' mobile phone for stakes ranging from 10p per game. The Group will market the new games using its existing TV coverage to be used in conjunction with a marketing campaign starting in September of this year, increasing towards the Christmas period. Tested on over one hundred and fifty different handsets, with full customer support, the games will work on all Java enabled handsets with a unique age and ID verification systems to prevent underage or fraudulent play. In addition the payment top up system is both intuitive and quick to use. Teleshopping The production of content for other media operators remains a source of revenue for the Group and to date this includes commercials for Monstermob plc and E2 Save, part of the Carphone Warehouse. The Group is also in discussion with a number of third parties with a view to expanding this to include teleshopping content. During the year, the Group was awarded a new licence by Ofcom to broadcast a 24 hour shopping channel and there are plans to combine this with the gaming and auction formats to create new and exciting programmes. Admission to AIM On 21 February 2005, the Group's shares were admitted to AIM raising a total of £779,315 net of expenses. The funds raised have enabled the Group to successfully expand its programme offers and develop new ideas for revenue generation. At the 30 June 2005 the Group had a positive cash balance of £490,000. On admission I was appointed to the Board as Non Executive Chairman, together with Vince Stanzione (Chief Executive), Chelsey Baker (Commercial Director) and Jason Nichols (Director of Broadcasting). Jason, who is also a Director of NTL Home/Telewest, has worked with the Group on a part time basis and has assisted with the launch of the Group's channels. Having completed this task, Jason will resign from the Board on 1 August of this year to pursue his career and, on behalf of the rest of the Board, I would like to thank Jason for his significant contribution to date. These results also reflect the considerable energy and effort of all of those involved with the Group and, again, on behalf of the rest of the Board I would like to thank them for their help in the continuing development of TV Commerce. The Board remains confident of the outlook for the balance of the current financial year and for the Group's future prospects. Andy Mintern Chairman Consolidated Profit and Loss Account Forecast for the period to 30 June 2005 Period to Notes 30 June 2005 £ GROUP TURNOVER 311,726 Cost of sales (429,444) GROSS LOSS (117,718) Administration expenses (157,337) GROUP OPERATING LOSS (275,055) Interest receivable and similar 8,441 income LOSS ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAXATION (266,614) TAXATION - LOSS AFTER TAXATION (266,614) Dividend - RETAINED LOSS FOR THE PERIOD (266,614) Loss per ordinary share (in pence): Basic loss per share 2 (0.01)p Consolidated Balance Sheet As at 30 June 2005 As at Notes 30 June 2005 £ CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 144,313 Cash at bank and in hand 4 489,624 633,937 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year (54,185) NET CURRENT ASSETS 579,752 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 570,752 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one - year NET ASSETS 579,752 CAPITAL AND RESERVES Called up share capital 641,796 Share premium account 571,191 Merger reserve 66,328 Profit and loss account (699,563) EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 5 579,752 Consolidated Cash Flow For the period to 30 June 2005 Period to 30 June 2005 £ Notes RECONCILIATION OF LOSS BEFORE INTEREST AND TAXATION TO OPERATING CASH OUTFLOW Operating loss before interest and taxation (275,055) Operating loss to 31 December 2004 (432,949) Increase in debtors (144,313) Increase in creditors 54,185 Net cash outflow from operating activities (798,132) Returns on investments and servicing of finance Interest received 8,441 8,441 Net cash outflow before financing (789,691) Financing Issue of equity share capital 1,248,740 Flotation expenses (469,425) Issue of share capital in subsidiary 500,000 Receipt of Loans 605,000 Repayment of Loans (605,000) 1,279,315 Increase in net funds in the period 4 489,624 Notes to Financial Statements For the period to 30 June 2005 1. Basis of preparation This Interim Statement, which has not been audited and does not constitute accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The Group's Interim Statement consolidates the financial statements of TV Commerce Holdings plc and its subsidiary undertakings, which have been made up to 30 June 2005 and accounted for under the merger accounting method. The group financial statements incorporate the accounts of TV Commerce Holdings plc for the period from incorporation (22 November 2004) to 30 June 2005 and the accounts of TV Commerce Limited for the period 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2005. The Group commenced trading after 30 June 2004 and therefore comparative information has not been disclosed. The Company's auditors have not yet reported on the statutory accounts of the Company as it has yet to complete its first financial period. Turnover The turnover shown in the profit and loss account represents fees and commissions receivable during the period. Fixed assets The cost of tangible fixed assets is their purchase cost, together with any additional costs of acquisition. Operating lease agreements Rentals applicable to operating leases, where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor, are charged against profits on a straight line basis over the period of the lease. Deferred taxation Deferred tax liabilities are recognized in respect of all timing differences that have originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is measured at the average rates of tax that are expected to apply in the periods in which the timing differences are expected to reverse, based on tax rates and laws that have been enacted by the balance sheet date. Deferred tax is measured on a non-discounted basis. Investments Investments are included at cost less any amounts written off. Profits and losses from disposals of fixed assets are treated as part of the results from ordinary activities. Capital instruments In accordance with FRS 4 Capital Instruments, including the share capital accounts, are shown as the total consideration received less expenses incurred directly in connection with the issue costs. 2. Loss per share Basic Loss per share for the period to 30 June 2005 is calculated by dividing the Group's loss after taxation of £(266,614) by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period of 45,766,881. No diluted earnings per share are presented as the effect of the exercise of share options would be to decrease the loss per share. 3. Dividend The directors do not recommend the payment of a dividend for the period to 30 June 2005. 4. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net debt Period to 30 June 2005 £ Increase in net cash in the year 489,624 Movement in net debt in the period 489,624 Net cash brought forward - Net cash 30 June 2005 489,624 5. Analysis of changes in net funds Brought Cash Non-cash 30 June Forward flows movements 2005 £ £ £ £ Cash at bank and in - 489,624 - 489,624 hand Loans - 500,000 (500,000) - Total - 989,624 - 489,624 6. Shareholders' funds On 22 November 2004 the Company was incorporated with an authorised share capital of 1,000 £1 ordinary shares, of which 1 £1 ordinary share was allotted at par for cash. On 18 January 2005 the share capital was subdivided into 100,000 shares of £0.01 each and, on the same date, the share capital was increased by the creation of 124,900,000 shares, increasing the value of the authorised share capital to £1,250,000. On 18 January 2005 43,367,200 ordinary shares of £0.01 each were issued in exchange for the whole issued share capital of TV Commerce Limited. A further 20,662,332 ordinary shares of £0.01 each were issued on 10 February 2005 for a total cash consideration of £1,248,740. On 17 March 2005 150,000 ordinary shares of £0.01 each were issued for cash consideration of £9,000. INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO TV COMMERCE HOLDINGS PLC Introduction We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information which comprises the consolidated profit and loss account, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated cash flow statement and the related notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial information. Directors' Responsibilities The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange which require that the accounting policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed. Review Work Performed We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review consists principally of making enquiries of group management and applying analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets, liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and therefore provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not express an audit opinion on the financial information. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purposes of the AIM Rules of the London Stock Exchange and for no other purpose. We do not, in producing this report, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing. Review Conclusion On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months ended 30 June 2005. CLB Littlejohn Frazer Chartered Accountants 1 Park Place Canary Wharf London E14 4HJ 25 July 2005 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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