ITV profits treble in ad revenue boom

Broadcasting giant ITV reported a near trebling in annual profits today as it benefited from a bounce-back in advertising revenues and hit shows such as 'Downton Abbey' and 'The X Factor'.

The group posted underlying pre-tax profits of £321m (€378m) for 2010, up from £108m (€127m) in 2009, and said it outperformed a resurgent television advertising market.