p04,6,8,10,12,14,16,18-19 Euro 50 Al-Ciorcirlan NovDec08v4 7/11/08 13:10 Page 6
Euro 50 > Leaders in broadband and pay-TV Digital TV Europe
November/December 2008
Hans-Holger Albrecht President and CEO, Modern Times Group
Modern Times Group (MTG) has continued to
make strong progress this year across both
the free and pay-TV sectors. Led by Hans-
Holger Albrecht, the group, which operates
both in its core Nordic market and across large
parts of central and eastern Europe, reported
operating income up 38% for the third quar-
ter, despite the gathering economic storm.
Despite uncertainty in key markets such as the
Baltic states, the group’s emerging market
pay-TV activities grew by a remarkable 46%
year-on-year for the same quarter. This year
MTG sold the Russian channel DTV and has
expanded in Ukraine Ghana and, most recently,
in Bulgaria, where it acquired leading commer-
cial free-to-air channel Nova.
Age 45
Education Doctorate in Law from the
University of Bochum in Germany
Years in industry 16 (I have worked with
MTG since 1997, as CEO since 2000. Prior to
MTG I worked with CLT for five years).
Job description To motive people and make
sure decisions are executed.
Last year’s highlights The acquisition of
Nova, which is the second largest, most
watched TV channel in Bulgaria. The sale of
DTV, our Russian TV channel to CTC Media,
the largest independent entertainment media
house in Russia today. We own 39.4% of CTC
Media, and its integrated structure provides advertisers. In central and eastern Europe, we Personal aims for the year ahead To be
the ideal platform for the further development still expect growth, it may be slower for a while able to lead the company to continues growth
of both businesses. That we in the third quar- but long-term it will be high growth. We don’t in market conditions that are expected to be
ter of 2008 – when most media companies think our pay-TV business will be affected. tough.
had made profit warnings – were able to show
double-digit sales growth for the sixteenth Positive thoughts for 2009 MTG is in a lot Favourite TV show Britain’s Got Talent on
quarter in a row. We increased our margins stronger position than during the last econom- ITV [in the UK]. It is a very good production,
too. ic downturn so for us the market conditions where you can see people from nowhere turn
can be utilised as an opportunity to continue into true stars. It personifies our motto,
Reflections on the downturn We may see a to expand our business. We are expanding into “stretch for more than you think is possible”.
softer advertisement market in some of the Africa, with the recent launch of our first TV
countries where we have free-TV channels. We channel there, which is in Ghana. We are also Little-known fact I play football a lot, with
still expect to continue to take market shares investing in ViaPlay.com, which will be the friends, with investors and with colleagues.
with our media house strategy. In each coun- most comprehensive online-based movie,
try we clearly profile our channels to target series and live sports offering in Sweden, Life outside work I try spending as much
different audience groups and bundle our Norway and Denmark. We will also look into time with my family as possible. I have a big
channels when selling our combined reach to more opportunities. family: a wife and seven kids aged three to 24.
Visit us at www.digitaltveurope.net
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