Channel 4’s turnover reached a record £937 million in 2006, growing by 5%, due mainly to growth in digital revenues.
The broadcaster’s new media division saw its turnover more than double last year to £51 million, up from £24.5 million a year previously.
Channel 4’s programming spend rose 6% to £608 million last year, up from £573 million in 2005. Of that £608 million, £323 million was spent on original commissions from 296 independent producers.
Sales and sponsorship revenues were flat at £824 million. The core Channel 4 TV network’s sales fell £39 million to £696 million, whilst sales revenue for the digital TV channels was up £40 million to £128 million.
Channel 4 reported that its audience share across its portfolio of channel’s was up 10%, reaching a record annual share of 12.1%.
The broadcaster also took its highest ever share of the UK’s TV advertising market up from 22% in 2005 to 23.5% in 2006.
A report published by Ofcom at the start of April said that the broadcaster is likely to be loss making after 2012, with its recent strong commercial performance expected to deteriorate in the near and medium-term (see Bleak Future For Channel 4).
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