Technicolor's first half year results show revenue growth up 3.1% at €1.6 billion, generating net profit of €6 million, up from a net loss of €26 million in the first half of 2012. The results are attributable to solid performances of Connected Home and Entertainment Services segments, the latter accounting for 46% of the company's total revenues, built on strong disc replication activities.

In the second quarter of 2013, combined DVD and Blu-ray volumes rose by 7% (279 million units) compared to the second quarter of 2012 (262 million), leading to overall year-on-year volume growth of almost 8% for the first half of 2013 - 601 million disc replicated vs 559 million H1 2012.

Blu-ray disc volumes demonstrated continued double-digit growth in the second quarter (+67%, 45 million units), while DVD volumes were stable (221 million), with slight growth in North America offsetting some softness in Europe. With 99 million units, H1 2013 Blu-ray disc volumes grew 83% over H1 2012 (54 million).

Disc replication for the quarter was driven by a number of major new release titles, including 42 (Warner), Oz, The Great and Powerful (Disney), Identity Thief (Universal), and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (Paramount).

Games volumes declined slightly (down 1.4 million units), as a result of a smaller number of new title releases year-on-year. The second quarter is traditionally the lightest period of the year for major studio and game new releases, and the continuing volume growth experienced in the quarter demonstrated ongoing broad consumer appeal of packaged media products.

Story filed 30.07.13