Downton Abbey and Broadchurch lift ITV profits
Terrestrial broadcaster ITV has recorded a ‘strong’ 2014 performance on the back of a number of hit shows for the channel; including Downton Abbey and Broadchurch.
This success saw pre-tax profits rise 39 per cent to £605m for the year ended 31 December on the back of an 8 per cent rise in revenue to £2.59bn and 6 per cent increase in advertising revenue to £1.63bn.
Elsewhere non advertising revenue rose by 10 per cent to £1.3bn helped upwards by 30 per cent growth in the station’s online, pay and interactive department – not to mention a 9 per cent boost in revenue at ITV Studios to £933m.
Chief executive Adam Crozier said: “ITV delivered another strong performances in 2014. All parts of the business are progressing well."
ITV expanded markedly over the course of the year, acquiring US TV firms Leftfield Entertainment and DiGa Vision and a clutch of new channels – pay TV station ITV Encore and ITVBe, a free to air channel targeting younger female viewers.