Wizzard Releases Podcast & App Network Data for China

Business Wire

Thursday, August 2nd 2012

FAB’s 2012 Nine Months Earnings Top All of 2011

Wizzard Media (NYSE MKT: WZE), the leading digital media podcast network, today released an overview of Podcast and App data for China, one of its top five markets. This overview, ahead of the closing of the anticipated acquisition of FAB by Wizzard, focuses on the company’s Podcast and mobile App network and business synergies for digital media distribution in China.

FAB & Wizzard – A Powerhouse in Digital Media Distribution in China

FAB had total overall revenues for the full fiscal year 2011 of $70.9 million and earnings of $15.3 million. For the nine months ending June 30 for fiscal 2012, FAB generated $62.7 million in revenue and $15.6 million in earnings.

“FAB is a high-growth company, uniquely positioned in the world’s largest consumer market,” said Chris Spencer, CEO of Wizzard Media. “We believe the combination of FAB and Wizzard represents a true win-win scenario that significantly expands the global reach and growth opportunities for both companies. As a result of this pending transaction, Wizzard would instantly avail itself of FAB’s powerful digital media distribution channels in China, one of the world’s fastest-growing media markets, while simultaneously FAB would be in a position to benefit from Wizzard’s advanced media technologies and its U.S.-based media partners who desire access to China and its massive consumer market. We believe that combined, we have the opportunity to dominate mobile digital entertainment delivery throughout China.”

Wizzard Media Podcast & App Network Stats for China

Having seen well over 1.65 billion download requests in 2011, China ranks in the top 5 countries (out of 240) for download requests for digital media on the Wizzard Network. Additionally, China is also in the Top 5 App markets for Wizzard Media iOS Apps (iOS Apps consist of Apps for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, etc). The focus on the Chinese market by companies like Apple should naturally continue to drive growth in podcasts and apps. With 23 million unique audience members monthly on the Wizzard Network, China consistently ranks in the top 10 overall for audience size.

According to Beijing start-up entrepreneur and tech writer, Neo Zhang “Podcasts are increasing in China and the rising young professionals in China seem to be the perfect target users.” Independently produced podcasts have gained mounting influence in China while commercial productions are taking top spots on the Chinese iTunes Podcast Directory. Wizzard hosted ESL (English as a Second Language) Podcast and Happy Tree Friends are prominently featured in the Chinese iTunes Podcast Directory.

In addition to Wizzard’s popular language podcasts that appear in the Chinese iTunes Top 100 and show like Chinese Class 101, Cantonese Class 101 and One Minute Mandarin, there are several other genres including Anime and Society & Culture that attract a high percentage of downloads from China.

China is clearly one of the most active audiences on the Wizzard Network for Anime shows including: TheOtaku.com, Anime 3000, Anime Pulse, AnimeNation and Anime News, which have traditionally drawn large audiences from Asia and specifically China. Popular shows in the Society & Culture category include Fun English Lessons - china232 – hosted by two Canadian brothers living in Shanghai, Reports From Beijing – firedupness, Letters from China and Sexy Beijing.

“It is not surprising that both independent and professional podcasts continue to gain popularity in China,” says Laurie Sims, President of Wizzard Media. “The incredible growth in China among mobile devices, Apps and overall digital media is evident as an emerging economy with a large populous embraces mobile technology. We see increasing opportunities for digital media distribution based on the rapidly expanding Chinese consumer market.”

Mobile Device and Applications Growth in China