UBC Sees Sharp Recovery In Radio Airtime Sales

There has been a sharp recovery in radio airtime sales at UBC Media Group, leading the company to upgrade its outlook for the remainder of the year, it said this morning.

At the time of UBC’s AGM in August, the company said that airtime sales at the commercial division had been performing below target, in line with the industry as a whole. An upswing occurred in June and July and this has since strengthened throughout August. UBC now believes that the full year prospects are positive.

Chief executive Simon Cole says: “With the balance of the financial year in mind, I’m particularly encouraged by the rapid return to growth in the airtime sales market, which has been pronounced since July.”

UBC also reports that sales of digital radios now represent up to 50% of the High Street market. “The trend in the take-up of digital radio in the UK matches our expectations and underpins our confidence in the value of the portfolio of digital assets we have built up,” added Cole.

GWR Group and Capital Radio both released trading statements yesterday which revealed continued negative growth, but with signs of a gradual improvement in demand.

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