UTV Ireland losses could hamper TV sale price

The amount ITV is likely to pay for UTV Media’s television assets could be in doubt on the back of the Belfast-based broadcaster increasing its loss estimates for its Irish television asset for the fourth time this year.

In a brief stock exchange statement, UTV Media yesterday said that it now anticipates full-year losses of £13m (€18m) for UTV Ireland in 2015, its maiden year of operation.

This is the fourth time the asset’s loss estimate has been raised this year and follows a loss outlook of £11.5m in June.