Summary
· Operating performance to-date on track across all Divisions
· The Group anticipates full year financial performance will be in line with management
expectations with a similar H1/H2 weighting to FY17
· Independent library valuation increased to US$1.7 billion (2016: US$1.5 billion)
Outlook
The outlook for underlying financial performance for the full year continues to be in line with management expectations. Group net debt: EBITDA is anticipated to be around 1.2x at the end of the FY18 financial year, in line with guidance given when the Group reported its FY17 full year results.
Corporate
The Group's annual independent library valuation has been completed, including all of eOne's television, family, film and music assets. As at 31 March 2017 the overall value of the Group's content library had increased to US$1.7 billion (2016: US$1.5 billion) including new properties such as PJ Masks and Designated Survivor.
The Group has gained significant momentum in positioning the organisation for growth with the integration of Film and Television into a single combined studio, as announced with full year results. Initiatives include the creation of business efficiencies and centralising a number of internal support functions.
Further details will be provided when the Group reports its results for the six months ended 30 September 2017 on 21 November 2017.