In a trading update this morning, UTV said that TalkSport, its biggest radio asset, had performed "extremely well" in the first four months of this year, with advertisers demonstrating a "strong demand" for the station.
Between January and the end of April, TalkSport revenues rose 19% year on year. This compares with UTV's 16 local radio stations in the UK, which between them saw earnings in the same period fall 3%.
The local radio decline was not enough to cancel out TalkSport's performance, with UTV Radio posting an overall 7% growth in revenue compared with the first four months of 2007. The company said that it expected the level of growth to continue into the summer.
UTV also confirmed reports today that the Channel 4 digital multiplex had hit delays.
It said that the launch of Talk Radio, one of the stations due to be carried on the new 4Digital platform, was "likely to be delayed to allow for the completion of the transmission infrastructure".
Overall, UTV revenues grew by 4% in the first four months of 2008 compared with the same period last year, and the company said its operating profit level was in line with expectations.
The Northern Irish ITV licence, which UTV holds, recorded a 3% decline in revenue, broadly in line with the rest of the ITV network.
The group's annual general meeting takes place in Belfast this afternoon.
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