Montreal: Coscient Group reports revenues of $20.7 million for the second quarter ended Jan. 31, 1999, a sharp drop from the $31.2 million for the same period last year. Net loss for the quarter is $600,000 compared with net earnings of $600,000 last year. Coscient says the results ‘mainly reflect the postponement of projects,’ including the 10-hour Canadian drama series Tag, currently shooting.

Distribution revenues at Motion International increased 12% to $8.6 million in the second quarter compared with $7.7 million last year.

Six-month revenues totaled $51.9 million compared with $59.5 million in ’98. Gross margin was stable at 19%, resulting in earnings of $10.1 million compared with $11.5 million for the first six months of ’98. Net earnings for the first six months are $23,000 (eps $0.00) compared with net earnings of $1.2 million ($0.06 per share, fully diluted) last year.

Coscient is in an accelerated transition period, pursuing new production agreements for international drama which it says will expand its distribution and other rights and add value to its library. A case in point, the company has retained worldwide rights to its latest tv movie, The Unconcerned, a us$3 million production prelicensed to hbo and set to start principal photography next month.

Coscient is currently developing new drama projects for the CTV Television Network and ChumCity International in Canada, and for Turner Network Television and hbo in the u.s.

Coscient’s national drama division, headed by president Andre Picard, reports production is underway on Symbol of the North, the company’s first large-format imax film.