Malaysia’s Media Prima Radio Networks saw 2014 first half gross revenue climb five percent to RM 41.1 million, according to figures released on Thursday.

On a year on year basis, the company’s three radio stations Hot FM, One FM and Fly FM saw revenue growth while income for its television, print and outdoor media units declined in H1.

Local media reported that the last six months market environment had been “very challenging” for the media industry as a whole but that sponsorship revenue had helped radio see revenue growth.

Radio is a small part of Media Prima’s overall business.

EBITA for radio was up four percent to RM 19.66 million but profit after tax was flat.

Quoting figures from Nielsen, Media Prima admitted its share of radio adpsend came under pressure in Q2 2014.

Bahasa Malaysian language station Hot FM saw its share fall from 20.45 to 18.72 percent in Q2 – compared to the same period last year.

Hot FM lost out to Astro Radio”s Era FM which saw its share climb to 14.91 percent from 11.65

Chinese station ONE FM grew adpsend share from 7.7 to 8.97 percent.

Apspend share for English station Fly FM dropped a touch to 6.18 from 6.8 percent.

The company believes there is untapped advertising revenue for its three stations on Malaysia’s East Coast and hinted at plans to possibly increase regionalisation of its radio services.

Media Prima consolidated results showed net profit dropped 40 percent to RM 35.8 million for the second quarter.

Revenue fell 17 percent to RM 388.6 million in the same period, on a quarter on quarter basis.

First half earnings fell 28 percent to RM62.8 million while revenue dropped 11 percent to RM742.7 million.

Media Prima expects the rest of 2014 to “remain challenging as a result of weaker consumer and business sentiments”.