United News & Media has increased its 19.9% stake in HTV to just under 30% in a move which will increase United’s share of total UK viewing to 5.5% and of ITV viewing to 18%.
United paid £36.7m for the 8.7m HTV shares and the deal is seen by many as a defensive move to block Carlton Communications’ ambitions to take over the West of England broadcaster, especially since United’s sales house TSMS sells for HTV. Last weekend Carlton gazumped United and bought Westcountry TV for £85m *Carlton Beats United To Buy Westcountry.
HTV last year made a profit of £12.1m, an increase of 66% year on year.
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