When calculated in Euros – the currency in which RTL trades – Five saw a 12.4% fall in profits to €212m (£168m) since July 2007.
In the first half of 2008, Five and digital channels Five US and Fiver, accounted for 8.9% of the UK’s TV ad market, down from 9% in 2007, which is down by 1% overall so far this year.
Viewing figures for the combined Five channels were up 0.1% to 6.4% year on year, while core channel Five was down 0.2% overall to 5.3%.
The relaunch of digital channel Five Life as Fiver in April this year saw audience share in the first full month, May, increase by 57% year on year, while Five US saw an audience increase of 47% during the period January to June 2008 compared to the first six months of 2007.
Acquisitions at Five helped drive its day-time audience. The purchase of Aussie soap Neighbours in February resulted in an increase of nearly two million viewers and the introduction of Natasha Kaplinksy as the Five News anchorwoman created a 45% growth in ratings for the early evening bulletin, compared to February to June 2007.
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