ITV braced for tough year end

The company, which is home to X Factor and Coronation Street, said revenues rose six per cent to 450m in the first three months of the year, driven by an eight per cent improvement in television ad sales.

This figure is expected to jump to 22 per cent in the current quarter due to the impact of the football World Cup.

Mr Crozier, who joined the company two weeks ago, said the performance should be seen in the context of record declines in 2009.

He said revenues were still below 2008 levels and warned the outlook for the latter part of 2010 and early 2011 looked tough because of more testing year-on-year comparatives and the uncertain market conditions.