CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Open account
☰
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Open account
✖

Downton Abbey helps boost ITV profits

Article By: ,  Financial Analyst
March 4, 2015 12:26 PM

Programmes such as Downton Abbey and Doc Martin has helped to boost profits at ITV.

The commercial broadcaster reported a huge 39 per cent increase in pre-tax profits, including exceptional items, to £605 million for the year to December 31st. Revenue was up by eight per cent to £2.59 billion while net advertising revenue by six per cent to £1.63 billion. Non advertising revenue had also risen by ten per cent to £1.3 billion thanks to a 30 per cent increase in ITV's online, pay and interactive division.

In its latest trading update, ITV confirmed that 2014 was the fifth consecutive year of double-digit profit growth. It is now focusing on delivering value from investment in quality content. This involves more money being used to improve ITV Studios while also boosting its presence in terms of international revenue.

Over the past year, ITV has purchased US TV companies Leftfield Entertainment and DiGia Vision which allowed it to screen popular shows across the pond. Alongside this investment, the company launched new channels such as ITV Encore, its first pay-only channel, and ITVBe, which targets a young female audience.

Adam Crozier, ITV chief executive, said: "ITV delivered another strong performance in 2014 as we continue to rebalance the business, drive new revenue streams and invest in our future growth. All parts of the business are progressing well with group external revenue up."

The announcement caused an uplift in ITV's share price with the company seeing a 5.54 per cent increase as 10:16 GMT on Wednesday (March 4th).

Loss of sports coverage

From the 2015/16 season, ITV will be losing its coverage of Champions League and Europa League football. In November 2013, BT Sport paid £897 million for an exclusive three-year deal to broadcast live European football matches.

This brings an end to ITV's coverage, which would include selected Champions League and Europa League matches, however the broadcaster will retain some coverage of the England national team and exclusively broadcast the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

StoneX Financial Ltd (trading as “City Index”) is an execution-only service provider. This material, whether or not it states any opinions, is for general information purposes only and it does not take into account your personal circumstances or objectives. This material has been prepared using the thoughts and opinions of the author and these may change. However, City Index does not plan to provide further updates to any material once published and it is not under any obligation to keep this material up to date. This material is short term in nature and may only relate to facts and circumstances existing at a specific time or day. Nothing in this material is (or should be considered to be) financial, investment, legal, tax or other advice and no reliance should be placed on it.

No opinion given in this material constitutes a recommendation by City Index or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. The material has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research. Although City Index is not specifically prevented from dealing before providing this material, City Index does not seek to take advantage of the material prior to its dissemination. This material is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

For further details see our full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFD and Forex Trading are leveraged products and your capital is at risk. They may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved by reading our full risk warning.

City Index is a trading name of StoneX Financial Ltd. Head and Registered Office: 1st Floor, Moor House, 120 London Wall, London, EC2Y 5ET. StoneX Financial Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales, number: 05616586. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. FCA Register Number: 446717.

City Index is a trademark of StoneX Financial Ltd.

The information on this website is not targeted at the general public of any particular country. It is not intended for distribution to residents in any country where such distribution or use would contravene any local law or regulatory requirement.

© City Index 2024