30 November 2005 | MEDIA PRIMA REGISTERS 98% INCREASE IN PROFIT BEFORE TAX AND NON RECURRING ITEMS TO RM49.32 MILLION

PETALING JAYA, 30 November 2005 -- Media Prima Berhad (“MPB”), Malaysia’s leading media investment group, registered a profit before tax and non recurring items of RM49.32 million on the back of strong revenue of RM281.02 million for the 9-month period ended 30 September 2005. This represents an increase of 98% compared to RM24.86 million recorded in the previous corresponding period ended 30 September 2004.

During the period, MPB enjoyed significant growth in revenue which increased by 24% from RM227.38 million recorded in the previous corresponding period ended 30 September 2004 arising from strong growth of advertising revenue. This strong financial performance is mainly attributed to continued positive operational results of its wholly owned subsidiary Sistem Televisyen Malaysia Berhad (“TV3”) and significantly improved financial performance of Metropolitan TV Sdn Bhd (“8TV”) which has achieved profitability after only 21 months of operations.

After accounting for non recurring one off exceptional items amounting to RM7.7 million arising from costs associated to undertaking a Voluntary Separation Scheme and provision of costs related to the proposed Bond Issuance and investment activities, MPB profit after tax and minority interest grew by 38% to RM31.38 million in the current period under the review compared to RM22.77 million recorded in the previous corresponding period.

In terms of market share, TV3 continued to strengthen its leadership position by garnering 42% of gross television advertising expenditure (ADEX) and 48% share of television viewership. 8TV enjoyed significant improvement in its operations where its share of gross TV ADEX and viewership grew to 16% and 6% respectively. The combined share for TV3 and 8TV for TV ADEX and viewership for the nine-month period stood at 58% and 54% respectively. (Source: Nielsen Media Research)

Encik Abdul Rahman Ahmad, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Media Prima said, “We are pleased with the strong results achieved, which provides a strong platform for MPB to achieve its objective of delivering continued value to its shareholders.”

“We are extremely pleased with the strong growth in top line revenue recorded in the period under review despite challenging market conditions and we are happy to report that 8TV has achieved profitability much earlier than the target promised to our shareholders ,” further added En Rahman.

NSTP continues to register improvements in its operational performance with revenue growing by 8% during this period on the back of stronger growth in circulation and advertising revenue especially in the Malay products, Harian Metro and Berita Harian. Further, MPB is pleased that the New Straits Times’ effort to boost circulation is bearing fruits with indication of gradual but consistent growth in its circulation.

Moving forward, MPB will continuously look for investment opportunities to enhance the Company’s activities and earnings potential. In particular, MPB is looking forward to the completion of its recently announced acquisition of NTV7 and the re-launch of C9 in 2006 which it believes will bring medium to long term value to the Group.

About Media Prima Bhd

Media Prima Bhd, a company listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia, is one of Malaysia’s leading integrated media investment groups.

Media Prima currently owns 100 % equity interest in TV3 (Malaysia’s no. 1 free-to-air television network), 80 % equity interest in Metropolitan Television Sdn Bhd (owner and operator of 8TV) and 100 % equity interest in Ch-9 Media Sdn Bhd (owner and operator of Channel 9).

In addition, Media Prima owns 43 % equity interest in The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Bhd, one of Malaysia’s largest publishing groups, that publishes leading newspaper titles such as the New Straits Times, Malay Mail, Berita Harian and Harian Metro.

Media Prima also has interests in other media activities, such as radio broadcasting (Max Airplay Sdn Bhd which manages and operates the recently launched Fly.FM), content creation (Grand Brilliance Sdn Bhd), event management (Tiga Events Sdn Bhd) and outdoor advertising (The Right Channel Sdn Bhd).

Outside of Malaysia, Media Prima has a stake in TV3 Network Ltd, Ghana’s leading private free-to-air television network.

For further information, please contact Corporate Communications Department at (03) 772 66333 ext 3302/3311.