CSI provides clue to Alliance Atlantis’ fortunes
Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. is riding high on CSI, according to the firm’s latest earnings statement. In the final quarter of 2005 the programmer brought in $84.2 million in revenue, a 16% gain on the same period in 2004. Total advertising revenue was also up by 16% compared to Q4 2004, with ad revenue at the firm’s digital channels growing nearly twice as fast as it did at the analog offerings. Revenue from subscribers grew 17% over the prior year’s period, with digital channel revenues growing by nearly 50%. The blockbuster CSI series of crime dramas – produced by Alliance Atlantis and the US’ CBS Productions in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Television – continued to be a big earner for the Canadian company, although at a somewhat diminished pace by year’s end. The franchise brought in $82 million worth of revenue, down from $93.6 million in the final quarter of 2004; on the full 2005 fiscal year, however, it posted a 41% rise over the previous year’s revenues of $205.1 million. "The CSI franchise continues to outperform our original revenue and cash flow expectations, and is benefiting from sustained ratings successes and strong sales around the world. In fact, CSI: Miami was named as the biggest hit TV series for 2005 on a global scale in a recent report, a testament to the impact this series has had in international markets," Alliance Atlantis CEO Phyllis Yaffe said in a media release.

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