(Sharecast News) - UK broadcaster ITV forecast flat total advertising revenue for the year to September before a boost from the Qatar football World Cup in November.
The company posted a rise in statutory half-year pre-tax profits of £219m, up from £133m a year ago.
ITV said its Studios and Media & Entertainment divisions had performed better than it had expected in the six months to June 30.
"Despite the tough comparators of last summer, when the Euros and a rebounding economy drove record advertising revenues, total advertising revenue is expected to be broadly flat in the nine months to the end of September. We are mindful of the macro-economic uncertainty, however we have for the first time ever in Q4, the football World Cup to look forward to," the company said.
Reporting by Frank Prenesti at Sharecast.com
ITV (ITV)
