Group pre-tax profit before exceptional items was £6m during the period, an improvement of 500% from £1m in the same period of 2009. Turnover from continuing operations was £50m, up 20% from £42m in the first half of 2009.
STV said it expected group TV ad revenue to be up 10% in quarter three, against a market which would be up 17% year on year, with ad revenue in October likely to be up between 5 and 10%, for the market and STV.
Broadcasting turnover at STV was £44.2m in the first six months of this year, up 21% year on year, while digital revenues were £1.6m, up 60% year on year.
Rob Woodward, chief executive of SVT, said: "We have a strong line- up of programmes for the remainder of the year, and we continue to execute innovative deals with industry leaders to grow our business in line with our strategy.
"However, while there is an improvement in the market, we nevertheless remain cautious about the future macro economic climate."
On 14 May, STV sold its cinema sales business, Pearl & Dean, for a gross cash consideration of £1. For the period 1 January to 14 May, STV made a loss of £1.5m. In the six months to 30 June 2009, Pearl & Dean made a loss of £3.7m.
Under the terms of the sale to Image Limited, STV will be repaid the proportion of a minimum income guarantee of £17.6m to Vue Cinemas, relating to 1 May to 31 September. Up to 30 June, STV had been paid £3.2m.
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