Channel 4 suffers loss

UK broadcaster Channel 4 has recorded its first loss for a decade following the advertising slump, the broadcaster’s annual report showed today.

The station saw advertising revenue dip by £32.3m (€50m) which contributed to a loss, after tax of £20.6m (€32m) for the Channel 4 Group in 2001.

However station bosses say they are ‘‘optimistic’’ about the year ahead as advertising cash slowly picks up.

It is the first time since 1992 that the company has made a loss, and follows a profit of more than €30m the previous year.

Revenue from advertising and sponsorship fell by 5%, but Channel 4 points out that compares to a 13% decline for ITV and 9% for Channel 5.