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ITV's annual pre-tax profits up 6% to £641m ITV's annual pre-tax profits up 6% to £641m
(about 1 hour later)
Broadcaster ITV has reported a 6% rise in annual pre-tax profits of £641m, compared to £605m in 2014 on the back of revenue growth across the firm. ITV has reported a 6% rise in annual pre-tax profits of £641m following strong revenue growth across the company.
It said it expected to outperform the television advertising market in 2016. The UK's biggest commercial broadcaster said it expected to outperform the television advertising market in 2016.
Chief executive Adam Crozier said: "ITV delivered another strong year as we continue to grow and strengthen the business in the UK and internationally. Advertising revenue rose 6% to £1.72bn, with total revenue up 14% to £3.38bn.
He added they had strong programming for 2016, with 50 hours more drama plus major rugby and football tournaments. Although total viewing across its channels fell by 3% last year, chief executive Adam Crozier said ITV delivered another strong year.
ITV reported a 20% jump in earnings per share in 2015, and returned £400m to shareholders with a special dividend. The broadcaster, best known for dramas such as Downton Abbey and Coronation Street, said ratings came under pressure in 2015 from the launch of new digital channels, a strong year for the BBC and a poor performance from some programmes.
The company is the UK's largest commercial free-to-air broadcaster. Mr Crozier said ITV had an additional 50 hours of drama in the schedules for 2016 as well as major sporting fixtures.
Shares in ITV fell 1.5% to 246.2p in morning trading in London.
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Steve Clayton, head of equity research at Hargreaves Lansdown, said its shares had done well last year, driven by an improving advertising outlook and a series of acquisitions.
"ITV looks to be in a good position; its balance sheet is sufficiently strong to keep funding the acquisition of new production houses. That gives more content to use at home and to sell abroad," he said.
"Earnings are enhanced by the deals, and ITV becomes less dependent on terrestrial advertising revenues, which are still an important source of income for the group."
ITV Studios has become a global production business with total revenue up 33% to £1.2bn and with 53% of revenues now coming from outside the UK.
Last year's acquisition of Talpa brought John de Mol onto the ITV team. He founded Endemol, which went on to develop the Big Brother reality franchise.
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Sir Peter Bazalgette, the man credited with bringing Big Brother to the UK, was recently appointed as chairman of ITV. Sir Peter Bazalgette, the man credited with bringing Big Brother to the UK, was appointed as chairman of ITV last month.
He replaces Archie Norman, who has chaired the broadcaster since January 2010. He replaced Archie Norman, who has chaired the broadcaster since January 2010.
The former Endemol UK chairman is already a non-executive director at ITV and will take over from Mr Norman on 12 May.The former Endemol UK chairman is already a non-executive director at ITV and will take over from Mr Norman on 12 May.
ITV director of television Peter Fincham has announced he is leaving ITV and will be replaced by managing director of ITV Studios Kevin Lygo. ITV director of television Peter Fincham has announced he is leaving ITV and has been replaced by managing director of ITV Studios Kevin Lygo.
. Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios in the UK, has succeeded Mr Lygo.