Media Houses Scandinavia

Main features in 2011:

• Underlying growth in operating revenues in 2011 was just below two per cent. Seen as a whole, there was a decline in circulation revenues.
• Subscription revenues increased by an underlying four per cent, although single-copy revenues fell underlying by seven per cent.
• Advertising revenues from online increased by 18 per cent, while print advertising revenues fell by an underlying two per cent.

Media Norge mediehus

Media Norge owns leading subscription-based newspapers in four of Norway’s largest cities: Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Kristiansand. Each newspaper also has online editions which are leaders in their markets.

1) Total Aftenposten, Bergens Tidende, Stavanger Aftenblad and Fædrelandsvennen. 

Main features in 2011:

• In 2011, all four of the media houses achieved underlying success in comparable (printing excluded) operating profits as a result of better advertising development and good cost control. Fædrelandsvennen’s operating profit is affected by project costs that give a somewhat lower operating profit compared to 2010.
• An improvement in the advertising markets gave revenue growth of one per cent in 2011. There is a relatively weak development in print advertising revenues, as the market flattened out in the second half of the year, while digital advertising developed well. Advertising revenues from online ads and the weekend magazine in particular show good growth compared to 2010.
• Circulation volumes fell slightly in 2011, down two per cent for weekday circulation. Circulation revenues rose by three per cent as a result of price increases.
• In 2011 Media Norge became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Schibsted ASA 

Verdens Gang

Verdens Gang (VG) publishes Norway’s clear leader in single-copy newspapers. The online edition, VG.no, is the largest online newspaper in Norway and among the absolute biggest websites irrespective of category.

Main features in 2011:

• Advertising revenues for VG Papir fell 11 per cent from 2010 to 2011. VG Nett (including Mobile, excluding Nettby) experienced good development and increased 20 per cent.
• Circulation revenues fell in 2011 by two per cent compared to 2010. Weekday circulation fell by 10 per cent and Sunday circulation by four per cent. The price for the single-sale copy of the Friday edition was increased from NOK 15 to NOK 17 with effect from 1 January 2011, and was increased again to NOK 20 on 7 October 2011.
• The total operating expenses for the print edition were reduced by 10 per cent as a result of good cost control and lower circulation volumes.
• VG Nett had a good year with increased operating revenues and good cost control, resulting in a strong profit.
• The position as Norway’s largest website measured in terms of traffic was maintained during the year.
• VG Mobil experienced a strong increase in traffic throughout the year and set new traffic records.  

Schibsted Sverige

Schibsted Sverige consists of three key business areas: Aftonbladet (print-based single-copy sales and online newspaper), Svenska Dagbladet (print-based subscription and online newspaper) and Schibsted Tillväxtmedier (web-based growth companies). In terms of ownership, Hitta.se is part of Schibsted Tillväxtmedier but is reported as part of the Online Classifieds business area.

Aftonbladet

Aftonbladet is a newspaper house with number one positions for both print and online sectors. Aftonbladet’s single-copy newspaper is Sweden’s largest newspaper, while Aftonbladet.se is the clear leader in online news. 

Main features in 2011:

• Aftonbladet'a print edition’s advertising revenues fell six per cent compared to 2010.
• Circulation revenues fell by 11 per cent as a result of a smaller paid circulation and lower volume of additional products. An increase in single-copy prices from Monday to Saturday from SEK 11 to SEK 12 from 16 May 2010 made a positive contribution.
• The total operating expenses for the print edition were reduced by 11 per cent as a result of good cost control and lower circulation volumes.
• Revenues from Aftonbladet Nya Medier increased by two per cent in 2011.
• The volume of online traffic rose sharply in 2011 and Aftonbladet’s position as Sweden’s leading news website was reinforced.

Svenska Dagbladet

Svenska Dagbladet (SvD) is the third largest subscription-based newspaper in Sweden and has a particularly strong position in the Stockholm region.

Main features in 2011:

• The circulation volume for Svenska Dagbladet fell three per cent from 2010 to 2011. Circulation revenue increased by two per cent as a result of the price increase.
• Advertising revenues for the printed newspaper fell by one per cent in 2011.
• The company has an efficient cost control.

Schibsted Tillväxtmedier

Schibsted Tillväxtmedier consists of a portfolio of web-based growth companies. These companies benefit greatly from the strong traffic positions and brands of Schibsted’s established operations in Sweden. 

Main features in 2011:

• In 2011 there was a strong development for Lendo, among others, which operates within personal finance, the price comparison service Prisjakt.se, the TV.nu TV guide and the online voucher company Letsdeal.se.
• Most of the portfolio’s operations experienced good growth and improvements in their results and overall this made a positive contribution to the operating profit.