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| US media
entertainment
scripting comeback
news |
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Our Convergence
Bureau
29 August 2002 |
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 New
York: Even
though 40 per cent of the rated American media and entertainment
companies have negative outlooks and many are yet to come
out of the 9/11 incidents and weak economy after-effects,
Standard and Poors (S&P) says the industry could show
some stabilisation in the second half of 2002.
In its recent report, S&P says some players earnings
performance and financial conditions are slowly recovering
as a rebound in advertising takes shape.
Already weakened by a poor economy, major destination theme
park attendance and guest spending trends are still worrying
investors. Perhaps the most visible downgrade in the media
and entertainment industry following 9/11 was that of Walt
Disney (owner of ABC Television Network). Operations remain
under pressure from the weak US economy, and parks and resorts
are affected by the global economy, says S&P credit
analyst Heather Goodchild.
Prior to 9/11 incidents, television networks were already
heading into an advertising recession brought on in part
by the demise of an overheated dotcom sector. Newspapers
and magazines also continue to face a challenging advertising
climate.
Several film entertainment companies delayed some movie
releases with violent themes after the terrorist attacks.
Over the last year, however, strong feature film releases,
a more balanced release schedule, and heavy marketing expenditures
have driven theatre admissions.
Many
US media and entertainment companies have reduced costs
and are now poised for cash flow once there is a sustained
pickup. However, the strength of ad demand is still uncertain
with the bearish stock market and concern about double-dip
recession weighing on the industry.
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