Britain's biggest commercial broadcaster ITV said today third-quarter advertising prospects were encouraging as it announced a narrower-than-forecast fall in first-half operating profit.
The company said profits before interest, tax and amortisation in the six months to end June fell to £151m from £202m a year ago.
The consensus figure for operating EBITA, based on 10 analysts, was £141m.
'Estimated ITV1 advertising revenue for the third quarter is up 1% year on year and for all ITV channels is up by 4%', ITV finance chief John Cresswell said.
ITV's interim dividend was maintained at 1.35 pence, in line with expectations.
