6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of May 2004

Matav Cable Systems Media Ltd.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

42 Pinkas Street
North Industrial Park
P.O. Box 13600
Netanya 42134
Israel
(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F x     Form 40-F o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o No x



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.





24 May 2004
Matav- Cable Systems Media Ltd.
(Registrant)


BY: /S/ Amit Levin
——————————————
Amit Levin
Chief Executive Officer

Print the name and title of the signing officer under his signature



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matav Reports Increased Revenues of NIS 147.6 Million in Q1 2004-
13% Increase Compared to Q1 2003

NETANYA, Israel, May 24, 2004 – Matav-Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Nasdaq: MATV), a leading Israeli provider of digital cable television services, today reported first-quarter 2004 financial results. In this quarter, for the first time, Matav’s financial results are proportionally consolidated with HOT Vision Ltd. (formerly ICP Ltd., a production company owned by the three cable companies). The proportional consolidation has no substantial influence on the Company’s financial results.

In addition, from this quarter on, as a result of new Israeli regulations, the financial results will be presented on a nominal basis, while in the past the financial results were adjusted to the Israeli CPI.

Revenues increased to NIS 147.6 million (US$32.6 million) from NIS 130.3 million (US$28.8 million) in first-quarter 2003. The increased revenues, which came despite a decrease in total subscribers, stems from higher ARPU as well as from higher sales of fast Internet access services.

First-quarter operating expenses totaled NIS 120.3 million (US$26.6 million) compared with NIS 117.6 million (US$26 million) in the year-earlier period. The increase is due mainly to higher than usual programming costs, especially original TV productions broadcast by the cable companies in the quarter and also due to an increase in operating costs associated with the Company’s fast-internet service.

Gross profit reached NIS 27.4 million (US$6.1 million) compared with 12.7 million (US$2.8 million) in first-quarter 2003.

First-quarter selling and marketing expenses, totaled NIS 14.9 million (US$3.3 million), compared with NIS 10.1 million (US$2.2 million) for first-quarter 2003. The increase is due mainly to higher advertising expenses associated with the continued penetration of the “HOT” brand in the Israeli market.

First-quarter G&A expenses totaled NIS 10.1 million (US$2.2million), compared with NIS 11.8 million (US$2.6 million) for first-quarter 2003. The decrease stems mainly from a lower allowance for doubtful debts.

First-quarter EBITDA, not including proportional consolidation, improved 15% to NIS 36.3 million (US$8 million) from NIS 31.5 million (US$7 million) in first-quarter 2003.



At March 31, 2004, Matav had approximately 265,400 subscribers, compared with approximately 266,700 at March 31, 2003. During first-quarter 2003, the company’s ARPU rose to NIS 207.9 (monthly, including 17% value-added tax) compared with NIS 185.0 in the first quarter of 2003.

The company’s fast Internet access service has attracted more than 74,000 subscribers to date.

First-quarter financing expenses declined to NIS 12.3 million (US$2.7 million) from NIS 14.8 million (US$3.3 million) for the comparable quarter in 2003.

The two numbers are not precisely comparable since, as explained above, the latest quarter’s figure is nominal while the results for a year earlier are adjusted for the CPI. However, a substantial part of the reduction can be attributed to two factors: a reduction in the Company’s net debt and a decrease in interest rate.

Matav’s share in affiliated companies’ profits, (mainly Partner Communications), in the first quarter was NIS 3.6 million (US$0.8 million) compared with NIS 3.4 million (US$0.8 million) in first-quarter 2003.

Matav reported first-quarter net loss of NIS 7 million (US$1.5 million), or NIS 0.23 (US$0.05) per ordinary share, compared with a net loss of NIS 24.5 million (US$5.4 million), or NIS 0.85 (US$0.19), for the year-ago quarter.

Matav’s CEO, Amit Levin, commented: “During the first quarter we took measures to enhance our competitive position by increasing our investment in original TV productions. However, this came at the cost of higher than usual operating expenses in the quarter. Except for these unusually high expenses, the improvement trends that we have seen in previous quarters continued in the present quarter, and once again we successfully increased our revenues. We are continuously diversifying our product offerings and we recently launched a new game service for our subscribers. This new service, which enables subscribers to play against each other, is possible due to our advanced technological and interactive capabilities, abilities that our competitor lacks.

“We have been conducting our fixed-telephony experiment in the Israeli market for the last few months. We are cooperating on this issue with the other two cable companies under the HOT Telecom brand, and we are taking steps to ensure that we will adhere to the timetable that has been set for the experiment. “



Management will conduct a teleconference today at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. To participate, please dial +1-866-860-9642 in the United States and +972-3-918-0610 internationally, several minutes prior to the start of the conference.

Matav is one of Israel’s three cable television providers, serving roughly 25 percent of the population. Matav’s investments include 5.3 percent of Partner Communications Ltd., a GSM mobile phone company, and 10 percent of Barak I.T.C. (1995), one of the three international telephony-service providers in Israel.

(This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Matav Cable only, and are subject to risk and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in technology and market requirements, decline in demand for the Company’s products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risk and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company’s reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.)

Contacts:

Ori Gur-Arieh, Counsel
Matav Cable Systems
Telephone: +972-9-860-2261

Ayelet Shaked Shiloni
Integrated IR
Telephone US: +1-866-447-8633 / Israel: +972-3-635-6790
E-Mail: ayelet@integratedir.com



MATAV – CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

December 31
2003

March 31,
Convenience
translation
March 31
2004

2003
2004
AUDITED
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED
Adjusted (2)
Reported (1)
(NIS In thousands)
U.S. dollars
 ASSETS:                    
   
 CURRENT ASSETS:   
 Cash and cash equivalents    37,948    1,325    27,242    6,016  
 Trade receivables    83,151    68,155    83,008    18,332  
 Other accounts receivables    19,765    20,979    21,361    4,718  




 Total current assets    140,864    90,459    131,611    29,066  
   
 INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM LOANS:   
 Investments in affiliates    66,807    25,594    72,100    15,923  
 Investments in other company    16,241    16,241    16,241    3,587  
 Long-term loans granted to employees    -    324    -    -  
 Investment in limited partnerships    2,057    -    1,597    353  
 Rights to broadcast movies and programs    34,927    -    45,910    10,139  
 Other receivables    885    -    885    195  




     120,917    42,159    136,733    30,197  
 FIXED ASSETS:   
 Cost    2,028,447    2,003,088    2,050,836    452,923  
 Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization    1,151,622    1,035,322    1,188,156    262,402  




     876,825    967,766    862,680    190,521  




 OTHER ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES   
 Net of accumulated amortization    3,946    6,209    3,710    819  




     1,142,552    1,106,593    1,134,734    250,604  




(1)     Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
(2)     Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.



MATAV – CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

December 31
2003

March 31,
Convenience
translation
March 31
2004

2003
2004
AUDITED
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED
Adjusted (2)
Reported (1)
(NIS In thousands)
U.S. dollars
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:                    
   
 CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
 Short-term bank credit and others    435,403    518,031    413,374    91,293  
 Current maturities of debentures    33,701    33,567    33,634    7,428  
 Accounts payable and accruals:  
   Trade    94,699    66,409    108,735    24,014  
   Jointly controlled entity - current account    17,690    12,902    18,374    4,058  
   Other    158,982    88,008    167,240    36,935  




 Total current liabilities    740,475    718,917    741,357    163,727  




 LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:   
 Accrued severance pay, net    2,106    880    2,503    553  
 Loans and debentures (net of current maturities):  
 Loans from bank and others    127,403    136,035    126,056    27,839  
 Debentures    66,145    99,091    66,101    14,598  
 Customers' set-up boxes' deposits, net of  
   accumulated amortization    25,675    29,057    24,974    5,515  




 Total long-term liabilities    221,329    265,063    219,634    48,506  




 Total liabilities    961,804    983,980    960,991    212,233  




 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:   
    Share capital    48,882    48,882    48,893    10,798  
    Share premium    375,538    401,329    375,527    82,934  
    Retained earnings (loss)    (243,672 )  (262,681 )  (250,677 )  (55,362 )




     180,748    187,530    173,743    38,371  
 Less-Company's shares held by consolidated company    -    64,917    -    -  




 Total shareholders' equity    180,748    122,613    173,743    38,371  




     1,142,552    1,106,593    1,134,734    250,604  




(1)     Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
(2)     Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.



MATAV – CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share and per ADS data)

Year ended
December 31

Three months ended
March 31,

Convenience
translation
Three months
ended
March 31

AUDITED
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED
UNAUDITED
2003
2003
2004
2004
Adjusted (2)
Reported (1)

(NIS In thousands)
U.S. dollars
 
 Revenue      545,480    130,339    147,637    32,605  
   
   Depreciation    160,521    40,608    37,068    8,186  
   Other operating expenses    306,165    76,984    83,197    18,374  




 Total operating expenses    466,686    117,592    120,265    26,560  




 Gross profit    78,794    12,747    27,372    6,045  
   
 Selling, marketing, general and administrative  
     expenses:  
   Selling and marketing    43,954    10,126    14,886    3,288  
   General and administrative    42,659    11,771    10,115    2,234  




     86,613    21,897    25,001    5,521  




 Operating income (loss)    (7,819 )  (9,150 )  2,371    524  
 Financial expenses, net    (83,958 )  (14,792 )  (12,257 )  (2,707 )
 Other income (expenses), net    80,996    (3,939 )  (758 )  (167 )




 Loss before taxes on income    (10,781 )  (27,881 )  (10,644 )  (2,351 )
 Taxes on income    35,576    -    -    -  




 Loss from operations of the Company and its  
     subsidiaries    (46,357 )  (27,881 )  (10,644 )  (2,351 )
 Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net    40,907    3,422    3,639    804  




 Net loss    (5,450 )  (24,459 )  (7,005 )  (1,547 )




 Loss per ordinary share    (0.19 )  (0.85 )  (0.23 )  (0.05 )




 Loss per ADS    (0.38 )  (1.7 )  (0.46 )  (0.1 )




 Weighted average number of shares outstanding  
     in thousands    29,347    28,860    30,215    30,215  




 Weighted average number of ADSs outstanding in  
   thousands    14,674    14,430    15,108    15,108  




 Operating income (loss)    (7,819 )  (9,150 )  2,371    524  
 Canceling proportional consolidation influence    -    -    (2,044 )  (452 )
 Depreciation and amortization (including income  
 from amortization of set-up boxes' deposits)    154,811    40,608    35,956    7,941  




 Memo EBITDA(*)    146,992    31,458   (**) 36,283  8,013  






(1)     Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
(2)     Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
(*)     EBITDA is presented because it is a measure commonly used in the telecommunications industry and is presented solely in order to improve the understanding of the Company’s operating results and to provide further a perspective regarding these results. EBITDA, however, should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or income for the period or as an indicator of the operating performance of the Company. Similarly, EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies.
  EBITDA may not be indicative of the historic operating results of the Company nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results.
  Reconciliation between the operating profit in the financial statements and EBIDTA is presented in the attached summary financial statements.

(**)     Not including proportional consolidation.