MFE-MediaForEurope (MFE), the leading broadcasting group, has announced its preliminary financial results for 2024, highlighting substantial growth and profitability, outpacing market expectations. On February 27, 2025, Pier Silvio Berlusconi, the company’s CEO, presented figures indicating net profit soaring to €251 million, more than 60% above initial projections.
"Oggi i mercati ci riconoscono di aver attuato un’ottima strategia: chiara e definita," Berlusconi noted, emphasizing the successful strategy adopted by the company.
MFE’s revenue reached €2.949 billion, marking a 5% increase from the €2.810 billion recorded in 2023. This achievement was particularly impressive as the media industry weathered challenges from various economic factors. Berlusconi stated, "Abbiamo battuto il mercato. La nostra quota raggiunge per la prima volta il 40,9%", indicating MFE’s strong standing within the competitive broadcasting market.
The adjusted operating income (EBIT) stood at €370 million, showcasing remarkable growth over the previous year’s figures. Meanwhile, the company’s net financial debt was significantly reduced to €692 million from €903 million, reflecting prudent financial management even amid dividend distributions to shareholders amounting to €140 million.
Despite challenges faced by many media companies, MFE has proved resilient, confirming its growth amid industry fluctuations. Berlusconi stated, "Non chiediamo di essere avvantaggiati, ma semplicemente di non essere svantaggiati rispetto a questi giganti," addressing the competitive pressure from big tech firms. He highlighted the economic power these giants wield and the need for fair regulatory practices within the industry.
MFE's capacity to thrive is attributed to its effective cross-media strategy, combining television, digital, and radio platforms, which positions the company favorably as consumer preferences evolve. Berlusconi noted, "Abbiamo mantenuto una performance migliore del mercato, grazie alla contribuzione positiva di tutti i mezzi nel portafoglio crossmediale," underlining the multi-channel approach as key to success.
Looking forward, MFE anticipates continuing its positive trend. The advertising revenue for January 2025 rose by 1% compared to the previous year, marking the start of the year on a promising note. Berlusconi concluded, "Siamo pronti alla sfida europea, ma è arrivato il momento di regole più giuste per tutti," signaling MFE's readiness to take on European challenges with equitable competition standards.
With such strong financial indicators, MFE is poised for sustained growth, reaffirming its leadership position within Europe’s broadcasting sector as it aims to expand operations beyond Italy and Spain. The coming weeks will provide additional insights with upcoming data from its investment in ProsiebenSat1 Media SE, which is expected to positively contribute to the group’s financial fortitude.