This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44950051

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
ITV profits rise helped by Love Island ITV profits rise helped by Love Island
(35 minutes later)
Half-year profits at broadcaster ITV rose to £265m from £259m, as revenues increased by 8% to £1.5bn. The football World Cup and hit reality show Love Island have helped boost profits at broadcaster ITV.
The firm said advertising sales rose 2% in the six months to the end of June, with 48% growth in online. Half-year profits to the end of June rose to £265m from £259m, while revenues increased by 8% to £1.5bn.
ITV said it has "a strong slate of new and returning programmes" for the rest of the year, including X Factor and, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. Advertising sales rose 2%, with 48% growth in online, but ITV said economic uncertainty remained a factor.
ITV said it had "a strong slate of new and returning programmes" for the rest of the year, including X Factor and, I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
There were also "outstanding contributions" in the six months from Love Island and the World Cup.There were also "outstanding contributions" in the six months from Love Island and the World Cup.
Carolyn McCall, ITV's chief executive, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the broadcaster had seen its best share of first-half viewing since 2009.Carolyn McCall, ITV's chief executive, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the broadcaster had seen its best share of first-half viewing since 2009.
'Doing very well''Doing very well'
"The World Cup is a great thing but we can't rely on it," added Ms McCall, who was appointed to the role a year ago. "The World Cup is a great thing but we can't rely on it," added Ms McCall, who was appointed to the role a year ago and took charge in January.
"It is important to bear in mind that before the World Cup and Love Island, which have been extraordinary for ITV, we had been doing very, very well on our viewing.""It is important to bear in mind that before the World Cup and Love Island, which have been extraordinary for ITV, we had been doing very, very well on our viewing."
ITV's coverage of England's semi-final against Croatia in the World Cup attracted a peak of 26.6m viewers and the match average of 24.3m was bigger than the audiences for the opening and closing ceremonies of the London Olympics in 2012.
Love Island has been sold to seven other countries and ITV is about to announce another "big" market for the show, McCall added.Love Island has been sold to seven other countries and ITV is about to announce another "big" market for the show, McCall added.
"Love Island is a phenomena which has got legs that will be commercially fantastic for ITV," she said."Love Island is a phenomena which has got legs that will be commercially fantastic for ITV," she said.
'British content'
She is embarking on a "strategic refresh", which includes upgrading ITV's online Hub service, and launching a Netflix-style streaming business.She is embarking on a "strategic refresh", which includes upgrading ITV's online Hub service, and launching a Netflix-style streaming business.
ITV is currently in talks with a number of parties regarding the latter, but did not indicate who they were.ITV is currently in talks with a number of parties regarding the latter, but did not indicate who they were.
Ms McCall said its market research showed that viewers would pay for another subscription service, particularly if it has "distinctive and quality British content".
"The market is clearly changing and to reflect this we have developed a clear vision and initiatives to drive growth to ensure ITV remains a structurally sound business," the company said."The market is clearly changing and to reflect this we have developed a clear vision and initiatives to drive growth to ensure ITV remains a structurally sound business," the company said.
Online strong
Advertising is forecast to be flat in the third quarter and up 1% for the nine months to the end of September. The company said the "uncertain economic outlook" was holding back advertising in areas such as retail, airlines and holidays.Advertising is forecast to be flat in the third quarter and up 1% for the nine months to the end of September. The company said the "uncertain economic outlook" was holding back advertising in areas such as retail, airlines and holidays.
The company pointed to "strong double digit" revenue growth in its online operations.The company pointed to "strong double digit" revenue growth in its online operations.
In early trade in London the firm's share price was down 0.49% at 169.61p. Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, said that ITV was "serious about the threat from the likes of Netflix and Amazon, but will it come at the expense of ad revenues?"
About an hour into the trading day, ITV's shares were up 0.4% to 171.