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ITV says 2021 ad revenue will rise 24% to record level

ITV said it expects to deliver record total advertising revenue this year
ITV said it expects to deliver record total advertising revenue this year

ITV, Britain's biggest free-to-air commercial broadcaster, said its ad revenue would reach a record this year driven by strong demand from a reopening economy.

The company, which made drama "Vigil" and reality show "Love Island", said ad revenue would rise by between 11% and 13% in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 24% increase for the year.

Chief executive Carolyn McCall said ITV had had an "outstanding" nine months "by any standards", with revenue in its Media & Entertainment broadcasting business and its Studios production unit performing better than last year and 2019.

Revenue for the nine months to the end of September rose 28% to £2.38 billion, the company said today.

The company said the share of viewing achieved by its main ITV channel for the nine months to the end of September rose to 17% from 16.6%, with the Euros, Love Island and dramas such as Manhunt: The Night Stalker and Vera, delivering strong ratings.