Prisa's first-half profit surges 70% on 26% revenue jump

Spanish media conglomerate Prisa has announced a significant boost in its first-half 2026 financial results. The company reported a 70% surge in its gross operating profit (EBITDA), reaching 86 million euros, a substantial increase from the 51 million euros recorded in the same period last year. This jump in profitability was accompanied by a 26% rise in revenues, which totaled 513 million euros.

Both of Prisa's core business units, Prisa Media and Santillana, contributed to this positive performance. They both experienced growth in income, EBITDA, and profit margins, aligning with the company's expectations for the full year. This progress is attributed to the ongoing transformation of their business models, with a focus on increasing recurring and sustainable revenue streams. Prisa Media saw its total subscribers for EL PAÍS exceed 482,000, a 13% increase from June 2025, with digital revenue now accounting for 30% of its total income. Santillana also reached four million subscriptions, growing at a rate of 19%.

The company's operational success is underpinned by structural trends, including the expansion of subscription models and an improvement in advertising performance. Furthermore, the recognition of revenue from a significant public education book order in Brazil for 2025, amounting to approximately 134 million euros, has boosted results. Of this total, about 72% was invoiced in the first half of 2026.

Prisa also reported strengthened cash generation, with a 10% increase in total cash generation and a 13 million euro improvement in operating cash flow. The company continues to reduce its leverage, with the net debt to EBITDA ratio falling to 3.78 times from 4.26 times at the end of the first half of 2025. Net losses also decreased by 49%, with the company reducing its losses to 14 million euros between January and June, down from 28 million euros in the prior-year period.