Although most commercial broadcasters in Montenegro managed to maintain a positive or neutral business result in 2024, 28 percent of them ended the business year in the red. Despite the challenges in business, the number of employees at commercial broadcasters is gradually increasing from 2020 to 2024. Less than half of the broadcasters, or 45 percent of them, joined the Fund for Encouraging Media Pluralism and Diversity intended for commercial and non-profit electronic media.
These data are part of the latest Analysis of the Economic Position of Commercial Broadcasters in Montenegro, published by the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services (AMU).
The largest positive financial result in 2024, as announced by AMU, was achieved by Televizija Vijesti with a profit of 795.665 euros, while the broadcasters Lipa Media, Nova M and Adria TV together achieved a negative result of almost 2,6 million euros.
The agency explained that the analysis provides a comparative overview of data from commercial broadcasters for a period of five years, including: sales revenue, other operating income, total revenue, total expenses, net result, number of employees.
The total revenue generated by commercial broadcasters in 2024 amounted to 17.580.131 euros, which represents an increase of 15 percent (2.336.232 euros) compared to the previous year. Out of a total of 29 broadcasters, 13 generated revenues of up to 100.000 euros, 10 broadcasters between 100.000 and 1.000.000 euros, while six broadcasters generated revenues above one million euros. Total expenses in the same period amounted to 18.088.301 euros, which is an increase of 1.718.228 euros compared to the previous year. Out of 29 commercial broadcasters, 13 had total expenditures of up to 100.000 euros, 10 broadcasters had total expenditures between 100.000 and 1.000.000 euros, and six broadcasters had total expenditures above one million euros.
Looking at the total expenditures of commercial broadcasters for the period from 2020 to 2024, constant growth is observed compared to previous years, AMU points out.
"When it comes to the profitability of commercial broadcasters in 2024, it can be concluded that eight of them (28%) operated with a negative result, while the remaining broadcasters operated with 0 or a positive result. The net loss of the entire sector (commercial broadcasters) in 2024 amounted to €508.173. The losses of the broadcasters Lipa Media doo, Nova M doo and Adria TV doo stand out in particular, which together achieved a negative result of almost €2,6 million. In contrast, the largest positive financial result in 2024 was achieved by Televizija Vijesti doo with a profit of €795.665, while Lutrija Crne Gore ad, Ast doo and Jumedia Mont doo also recorded significant profits," the statement reads.
The agency emphasizes that the broadcaster Lutrije Crne Gore, in addition to being the founder of the television program, is also engaged in another activity - organizing games of chance.
"Observing the period from 2020 to 2024, it can be concluded that the total number of employees at commercial broadcasters is slightly increasing from year to year. Significant oscillations occurred at the broadcaster Lipa Media doo, which in 2024 had an increase in the number of employees by 30 compared to 2023, and at the broadcaster A Plus Media Group doo, which reduced the number of employees by 11 in 2024 compared to 2023," it added.
An overview, they said, shows that an insufficient number of broadcasters have accessed the funds from the Fund, only 45 percent - 15 out of 33 broadcasters. However, AMU adds, the amount of funds allocated and the number of broadcasters that have received funds is growing year after year. "In the coming period, it is expected that all broadcasters will recognize the importance of the Fund and will provide the conditions required by law," they said.
A detailed overview of the economic position of each individual commercial broadcaster is available in the analysis available on the website of the Agency for Audiovisual Media Services.
Data for the analysis were collected for a period of five years - from 2020 to 2024, and the following were used: the Tax Administration website; the Government website; the boniteti.me website; broadcasting permits of commercial broadcasters, with amendments, annual reports on the transparency of media financing from public revenues for 2022-2024, published by the Ministry of Culture and Media.
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