Santillana improved its EBITDA by 18.2% to reach 171.37 million. Its margin improved by almost five points to reach 34.7%. It is worth highlighting the performance of Venezuela (+137.7%), Argentina (+29.9%), Chile (+23.9%), and Spain (+4.5%) and the increase of market share in some countries.
The Radio business revenues reached 267.27 million and contributed with an EBITDA of 59.73 million. The International Radio generated an EBITDA of 6.84 million and improved its margin in more than two points to reach 10.9%.
Advertising revenues represented 26% of the total revenues of the Group and declined by 22.0%, improving the decline of 25.2% of the first half of 2009. The performance of the different media of the group has been better than the overall market, which is estimated to have declined by around 25%.
El País strengthened its leadership position with an average daily circulation of 391,317 copies in the first nine months of 2009. In September, the EBITDA reached 23.50 million and the net profit stood at 10.9 million.
Digital+ reached an EBITDA of 259.05 million and improved its margin in more than one point to reach 26.4%.
Total operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, declined by 15.4%. Capex was also reduced by 41.9% compared to the previous year due to the policy implemented in the group to control and reduce expenses and investments.
EBITDA margin maintenance as of September on like for like basis.
Prisa signed several strategic agreements in order to incorporate new members to the group to provide technology, capital and new markets (preliminary agreement with DLJ to sell 25% stake of Santillana, agreement with Ongoing to sell 35% stake of Media Capital and agreement with IBN to develop the media distribution business).