The remarkable business successes of United Media in 2023 were powered by exceptional financial performance and the dominant market presence of companies within our esteemed portfolio. Simultaneously, our individual projects experienced great popularity and received numerous awards in various countries where we operate.

With a portfolio comprising 120 media assets including television channels, portals, radio stations, and print editions, United Media continued to expand its influence. Five licensed editions of Forbes launched in 2023 in the Adriatic region injected a fresh perspective into the media scene of Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Furthermore, the extension of our agreement with CNN confirmed our commitment to providing excellent, independent news coverage through N1 across Southeast Europe. Also, we partner with the University of Oxford on renowned Reuters Journalist Fellowship Programme.

Financially, 2023 emerged as United Media’s most successful year to date. Recording an impressive 11% increase in revenue and a 5% growth in EBITDA, the company showcased robust operational performance. The relocation to new premises in Sofia and Zagreb facilitated a remarkable 75% growth in cash conversion, enabling increased investments in high-quality, own-produced programming.

“Our success this year is not just a numbers story, it’s a people story. More than 4.200 staff who work in 8 countries made it happen. Their talent, creativity, and commitment have been essential in shaping our company’s journey and leading us to t to where we are now. As we continue to evolve and expand our offerings, we remain committed to providing high quality content to audiences across SEE. I am confident that there are no limits to what we can achieve. I’m confident that there are no boundaries to what we can do in the future. We are committed to pushing boundaries, embracing innovation, and aiming for even greater success”, said Aleksandra Subotić, CEO of United Media.

The year witnessed unparalleled success in Bulgaria and Croatia, with Nova TV stations leading the charts. Nova, Bulgaria’s premier television station, achieved record-breaking milestones with its highest-ever audience share – 30,4% and ground-breaking entertainment broadcasts. In Croatia, Nova TV continued its reign as the most-watched channel for the fourteenth consecutive year, achieving 51% higher viewership than its closest competitor. Their news program and is the top choice for viewers and Nova TV also achieves success in the domain of entertainment programming, composed of rich domestic and foreign production. This is confirmed by the fact that Nova TV dominates in the category of the top 10 most-watched formats in 2023, with as many as seven formats positioned on that list.

United Media’s digital portfolio witnessed unprecedented success, with NetInfo emerging as Bulgaria’s leading media company (88% of local internet audience) and Dnevnik.hr ruling as Croatia’s most-read portal for two consecutive years. The recognition of Dnevnik.hr’s redesigned interface with the International Web Excellence Award further highlighted the company’s commitment to innovation and user experience.

In Serbia, according to Gemius measurements, United Media is a dominant force in the country with 80% reach.

United Media’s dedication to sports programming remains unchanged, with exclusive coverage of important worldwide events such as the Premier League, UEFA tournaments, EuroLeague, EuroCup, FA Cup, NBA, FIBA, Formula One, and MotoGP on its top-tier sports channels across SEE – Diema Sport, Sport Klub and Novasports. From showing the most live sports contests (3,500) in Nova Sports’ history in Greece to smashing audience records during EuroLeague matches on Sport Klub, the company has worked to improve the sports viewing experience.

In the domain of original production, United Media’s catalog includes over 40 films and series soldeg in more than 30 countries worldwide. Notably, our movie “Guardians of the Formula” garnered international acclaim and received accolades at renowned film festivals in Locarno, Sarajevo and Palm Springs.

Furthermore, we upheld our partnership with the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, organizing two Semi-Final Judging Rounds of the 2023 International Emmy® Awards in Athens.

Numerous TV formats have captured significant attention from audiences across the region, but perhaps what we are most proud of is the IDJ Show – a ground-breaking digital music competition format. Not only has it shattered viewership records on television, but it has also garnered an astonishing number of views on YouTube and sparked unparalleled engagement among young audiences on social media platforms. This innovative format has not only entertained but also empowered emerging talent while resonating deeply with our digital-savvy audience.

We are thrilled to continue pushing boundaries and creating content that resonates with audiences across multiple platforms, reaffirming our commitment to delivering dynamic and powerful entertainment experiences. In the 2024, we pledge to relentlessly innovate, collaborate, and elevate our standards to ensure that we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our diverse and discerning audience.