Technicolor group's 2013 revenues from continuing operations were down 1.1% to €3,449 million over 2012 (€3,489 million). However, at constant rate and scope they ended up 2.4%, including a negative foreign exchange impact of €122 million.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) recorded a 10.4% increase at constant rate to €537 million.

Technicolor says Connected Home and Digital Creative Services were the main growth drivers while DVD Services again demonstrated its resiliency.

The slight revenue increase in DVD Services driven by combined volumes growth of 1.5%, reflected the ongoing resiliency of Standard Definition DVD - down only 4% year-on-year, from 1,272.2 million units to 1,221.9 million), and continued strong Blu-ray volume growth of 39.3% - 181.8 million to 253.2 million units.

Combined volumes reached 1,475 million units (2012: 1,454 million), the second best year ever for Technicolor, resulting from overall strength of studio customers' release slates (Technicolor customers were the three top grossing studios in the US box office in 2013), on-going Blu-ray volume growth across both existing studio customers and gaming clients in support of the new Xbox One console, selected share gains across the existing customer base, and ongoing use of multi-disc DVD/Blu-ray 'combo-packs.'

With 1,349 million units, the Studio/Video segment accounted for 91.5% of total disc output, recording a 0.6% growth. With 94.7 million units, the Games segment accounted for 6.4% recording a 8.2% growth. And with 31.4 million units, the Software & Kiosk segment accounted for 2.1%, but registered a 25.6% growth.

In the fourth quarter 2013, DVD Services revenue recorded a low single digit decrease, despite the 6.6% decline in combined Standard Definition DVD and Blu-ray volumes compared to the fourth quarter of 2012. The decline was primarily attributable to a weaker title release slate for selected customers in comparison to the prior year.

This decline was partially offset by ongoing growth in Blu-ray, which increased 17% in the quarter supported in part by production for the new Blu-ray-based Xbox One gaming console launched in November.

Overall volumes recorded a decrease in North America following several quarters of growth while they were broadly stable in Europe. Major titles produced in the fourth quarter of 2013 included Despicable Me 2 (Universal), We are the Millers (Warner Bros.), Bad Grandpa (Universal) and Jungle (Disney).

Technicolor secured multi-year contractual renewals with three of its top customers.

Story filed 20.02.14