French pay-tv operator AB Groupe is to be de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange.

The company, which operates 18 cable and satellite channels in France, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland, is to put at end to its ADR (American Depository Receipts - US-traded shares of foreign companies) programme as of September 13, due to a sharp decrease in their number since the group was quoted on the French "Second Marche" (the French equivalent to the Nasdaq) in July 2000.

AB Groupe, which is also involved in television programme production and distribution, has posted Euros 70m in revenues for the first-half of 2001, a jump of 11% compared to the same period last year, mostly due to a 26% hike (to Euros 48m) in sales generated by its cable and satellite channels.

The company will remain quoted on the Paris Stock Exchange and ADR holders can either sell them or exchange them for French shares.