Pilat Media, which supplies broadcasters with software for controlling broadcasting schedules, advertising and content planning, delivered a solid full-year performance. That was driven by a strong final quarter - allowing the group to beat analysts' expectations and helping the shares rise 10 per cent on the day these figures appeared.
The group boasts 60 heavyweight clients and most of its new business and contract renewals - such as from Sky Italia - came in the closing months of 2012. But such work is never easy to anticipate, leaving brokers surprised by the outcome - 2012's sales, for example, beat broker Shore Capital's expectations by £1.5m. Moreover, chairman Michael Rosenberg reckons the "pipeline of new contract opportunities remains strong". Another reason to be positive about Pilat is its OTTilus online video platform software, which is now 100 per cent owned by the group. When that is launched later this year, it will enable users to access live, catch-up and video-on-demand services for a range of mobile devices. Analysts at Shore think that could lead to a "step change in prospects next year".