Ulster TV outperforms ITV with 2% revenue dip

Ulster Television has outperformed its rivals by recording a dip in advertising revenue of just 2%.

The ITV network as a whole saw ad revenues fall 13% in the same period.

Chairman John McGuckian says the second quarter, with the stimulus of the World Cup, is seeing some improvement.

He says it's likely that ITV, and UTV, will perform marginally ahead of the same quarter last year.

But he admits it's unclear whether or not this improvement can be sustained through the second half of the year.

Although there are some signs that ITV advertising revenue in July may be slightly up, beyond that "it would not be prudent to signal a possible upturn," he says.

Advertising revenue at the group's radio company, County Media, also suffered a dip.

UTV Internet continues to make good progress with a growing customer base across the island of Ireland, says Mr McGuckian.

He says that with recent changes in wholesale prices, the group can now offer its customers in Northern Ireland a new broadband product which will be launched within the next few weeks.

"Trading remains profitable and we would expect UTV Internet to make a positive contribution to the group in the full year," he adds.