UTV Media revenues up 2%

Revenues at UTV Media were up 2% on a like for like basis in the four months to the end of April.

Revenue in UTV’s radio division was up by 8%, based on continuing operations and excluding the contribution from Sport magazine.

UTV said the market as a whole grew by 5% during the same period. It predicts that revenue in this division will grow by 13% in May and June, reflecting better underlying market conditions and the positive effect of the World Cup.

Television revenue was up by 1%. “Improving market sentiment and the World Cup should lead to much stronger revenue growth of 19% in May and June,” said UTV.

Looking ahead, it said that “airtime bookings continue to be short term thereby offering limited forward visibility.

“We are encouraged by the fact that trading in the first half of 2010 is ahead of our expectations, particularly in talkSPORT and Television.

“However, we remain cautious about the remainder of the year, due to the uncertainty surrounding the pace of recovery in the UK and the timing of recovery in the Republic of Ireland.”