HT&E Release Annual Financial Results, Shows Strong Numbers For ARN

HT&E Limited has today released its financial results for the 2021 calendar year, showing strong growth for ARN and its iHeartPodcast platform.

Despite the uncertain environment and the impact of extended lockdowns in Melbourne and Sydney, statutory revenue from continuing operations rose 16 per cent to $225.0 million, rebounding strongly from the previous year.

ARN’s commercial and ratings success continued in the 12 months, delivering strong audience survey results across its metro network throughout 2021, as well audience growth across all key markets, including Brisbane and Melbourne.

Sydney stations, KIIS 1065 and WSFM also continued to deliver, with WSFM finishing number one FM station, closely followed by KIIS 1065 at number two in the final survey of 2021. The two powerhouse breakfast shows, The Kyle & Jackie O Show, and Jonesy & Amanda vied for top position, with the former finishing the year on top.

In Melbourne, Gold 104.3FM – spear headed by the successful Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show – maintained number one FM station throughout the year.

ARN also remained the country’s top podcast publisher after launching the iHeartRadio Podcast Network Australia at the start of 2020, a leadership position now held for 20 consecutive months.

“Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted our way of life and disrupted business models, HT&E navigated the period well delivering a number of key strategic objectives, strengthening the core Australian radio operations and continuing to invest in its digital audio growth strategy,” said HT&E chairman, Hamish McLennan.

“Thanks to disciplined capital management throughout the pandemic, HT&E continues to have one of the strongest balance sheets in the Australian media sector, and therefore in a position to complete the accretive acquisition from Grant Broadcasters of a portfolio of 46 regional radio stations.

“Strategically, this transaction fits very well with the growth ambitions we have for HT&E, allowing us to expand our audience base and fast-track the delivery of our digital audio content and advertising opportunities across the country”.

HT&E CEO and managing director, Ciaran Davis (featured image), added, “We have made excellent progress in executing our strategy to build Australia’s best broadcast radio and digital audio company.

“The investments in our strategic priorities are delivering as we continue to build a media business offering scale of audience, multi-platform content, increasing data targeting capabilities and ease of transaction for our partners.

“Our ratings success across our metropolitan network were outstanding throughout 2021, driven by commitment to recruiting and retaining the best Australian talent, with ARN maintaining its dominant market position as the #1 network for over two years.

“As we move into 2022, we have good momentum as we integrate our leading metropolitan and regional radio businesses to create a truly national radio broadcast network of significant scale.

ARN also represented four of the top ten most listened-to podcasts, with almost five million monthly listeners and close to 20 million monthly downloads.

The Kyle & Jackie O Show podcast remained the top radio catch-up podcast in the country with almost 17 million downloads across the year.

ARN also announced it will be launching several original shows, following growing advertiser demand to delivering consistent monthly podcast billings.

The network also relaunched The Edge as a national youth brand distributed on iHeartRadio, driven by contemporary music, content, and youth culture.

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ARN ARN’s iHeartPodcast Network Australia HT&E