UTV plc

UTV plc (also referred to as the UTV Group) is a broadcasting and New Media company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Its main operation is the ITV (Channel 3) franchise for Northern Ireland, and it is also the owner of UTV Radio, which operates the UK Independent National Radio station talkSPORT, along with several radio stations in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

UTV was the first indigenous broadcaster in Ireland and is now available to 80% of the Irish population, with a 98% availablity in Northern Ireland and 70% in the Republic. UTV pride themselves now on being "an integral part of everyday life in Ireland, North and South." (Source:http://www.utvplc.com/history.asp?sub=au&sublk=tcp&fursublk=hist)

Historically, the company was called Ulster Television plc, but this was changed when a motion to change the company name to simply UTV plc was passed by shareholders, at the company's 2006 annual general meeting. [1]

UTV plc was able to expand between 2004 and 2006, largely due to its investment in and purchase of radio stations. It has had a large increase in business turnover, which was up 46% on 2004; pre-tax profits rose by 12%, and employment rose by 500 people to more than double the figure in 2004. Of total sales of £93.7m, television accounted for £45.8m, radio in GB £25.1m, radio in Ireland £13.7m, and £8m from New Media. 60% of operating profits were earned in the television side of the business.

UTV

Main article : UTV

UTV is one of the two remaining stand-alone ITV contractors left, along with Channel, with the others having grouped into ITV plc (which owns eleven franchises) and SMG plc (which owns two). UTV is also widely viewed in the Republic of Ireland, possibly having more viewers there than in its official franchise area.

UTV Radio

Main article : UTV Radio

UTV is continuing the move from a simple ITV contractor towards a true media company. It started by purchasing a number of Radio Stations in the Republic of Ireland and acquiring stakes in stations in Great Britain. In 2005 the company acquired The Wireless Group plc, with ownership of 16 radio stations and broadcasting facilities, which it rebranded, along with its radio stations in Ireland as UTV Radio. This purchase included the broadcasting licence valued at just over £150m. In 2005 UTV also launched its first Radio Station in Northern Ireland, U105 which broadcasts to the Belfast area.

New Media

u.tv

Main article : u.tv

The URL u.tv is the address of the main website of UTV the Northern Irish ITV franchise holder. The website offers News, Sport and Entertainment news and is also home to the companies ISP services.

UTV Internet

Main article : UTV Internet

UTV own the internet service provider UTV Internet, through which they provide broadband and dial-up internet packages. UTV operates this service in both Northern Ireland, and the Republic. Although they do not target internet subscribers outside the island of Ireland, the dial-up service is also available in Great Britain.

UTV Talk

In August 2004 the company moved into the telephone market, offering free off-peak calls with a new service, UTV Talk. The servies is available to customers in Northern Ireland as well as the Republic of Ireland.

BOCOM International

UTV currently owns a 50% stake in BOCOM International Ltd. BOCOM broadcasts Features and Advertisements to screens located in retail outlets throughout the Republic of Ireland.

For more information see www.bocom.ie

BMS

Broadcast Media Sales is the advertising sales house for UTV Radio in Ireland.

UTV Art

UTV over the years have acquired a large collection of works by mainly Irish Artists. The collection includes commissions and acquisitions.

References

*Belfast Telegraph, 26 June 2006

See also

* ITV
* ITV plc
* SMG plc
* List of British companies
* List of Irish companies

External links

*UTV Corporate Information