UTV Media has reported a 15% year-on-year increase in third-quarter advertising revenue for its television operations here.

Shareholders in UTV Media are in line for a 17% increase in their annual dividend, despite the Belfast-based broadcasting group suffering a 10% fall in profits for 2012.

UTV Media has said that its Irish radio division has “significantly” outperform- ed the market so far this year, despite revenues showing a 6% annualised decline.

UTV has reported a “resilient” first-half performance, with pre-tax profits of £11.2m (€14.1m) and an over-performing Irish radio portfolio — giving it “a strong platform for growth”.

ULSTER TELEVISION profits before tax fell by stg£711,000 in the first six months of the year to £5.7 million on turnover of £22.5m — up 8.1%.