2012 Financial report; Eyeworks’ best year ever

n these challenging economic times, the Eyeworks Group managed to supersede its previous “record breaking” year in 2012. Compared with 2011, the Group’s total turnover for the year 2012 increased 6% to 251 million Euros. The operating profit (EBITDA) climbed slightly to 30.3 million Euros (+ 0.4%). Net profit increased by 10% to 13.9 million Euros in 2012 – the highest profit ever for Eyeworks. Making this more impressive is the fact that 2012 was the first year without the Sport Production unit. This unit was sold at the end of 2011. All growth in 2012 was autonomous.

Following the strategic review in 2011, Eyeworks decided to continue to focus on its core activities: the development, production and distribution of prime-time TV entertainment. This resulted in the sale of Eyeworks’ Sport Production unit as well as the discontinuation of the Interactive New Media unit in the beginning of 2012. At the same time, Eyeworks dedicated more funds for the development of new formats, both centrally from the head office in Amsterdam and in the fifteen countries in which Eyeworks has local affiliates. Due to the strength of the Eyeworks companies in these fifteen countries, and good mutual creative collaboration, almost 25% of the turnover in 2012 came from international ”travelling” programme titles developed by Eyeworks. This high percentage clearly underlines the added value of the international network of the Eyeworks companies.

One such successful international programme is Celebrity Splash. This original Eyeworks Entertainment format was a huge hit on SBS6 in the Netherlands last autumn. Within a few weeks, Celebrity Splash was licensed for broadcast in England (ITV), America (ABC), France (TF1) and Australia (Seven). Hot on their heels were Spain (Antena3), China (Zhejiang Satellite TV), Ukraine (1+1), Finland (Nelonen), Argentina (Telefé), and 24 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Other internationally successful Eyeworks titles are Who Wants To Marry My Son? (in 13 countries including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Chile and Brazil), Ticket To The Tribes (already successful in 8 countries and now also in Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Portugal), international Emmy winner CQC (in Brazil, Argentina and Italy), Reality Queens Of The Jungle (6 countries) and Obese. Obese is an original Eyeworks USA format with local productions in nine Eyeworks countries, including for ABC in The United States. Obese finished programmes have been sold and air in over 150 countries worldwide. Besides these international titles, Eyeworks also produces numerous local hit programmes in each of their local affiliate territories.

Eyeworks is (moderately) optimistic about 2013 and expects to strengthen its market position further.

About Eyeworks
Eyeworks is a creative, independent television production company that develops, produces and distributes content in different genres including fiction and entertainment. Eyeworks was founded in The Netherlands in 2001 by Reinout Oerlemans. Currently, with operations in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, the United States, New Zealand and Australia, Eyeworks operates a tight-knit web of local affiliates on four continents. In its 15 territories, Eyeworks produces television programs for over 100 different channels and employs more than 1,500 people. Internationally successful titles include: Test The Nation, CQC, Who Wants to Marry my Son?, Beat The Blondes, Reality Queens of the Jungle, I Know What You Did Last Friday, Obese (aka Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition), and their newest hit Celebrity Splash.