UTV Ireland captures 5.5% share of viewers in January

UTV Media, which launched a new television service for the Irish market earlier this year, is due to announce full-year results on Wednesday.

While UTV may give an update on the market share of its new Irish station, UTV Ireland, it is unlikely to drill down into viewership figures in its published results.

“UTV may report peak-time market share figures for UTV Ireland to be consistent with its presentation of UTV’s television audience in Northern Ireland, but detailed viewership figures are less likely to be provided,” said Davy analyst John Stokes.

According to figures from Tam Ireland and Nielsen, UTV Ireland captured a 5.5 per cent share of viewing for January, making it the third most-watched channel in Ireland. UTV Ireland, which is bidding to become the second most-watched television channel in the Republic, is aiming for an eventual double-digit share of viewing.

Media agency Carat predicted that the channel will take an 8 per cent share of television viewing in the Irish market this year.

Analysts will also be interested to see if UTV provides any further upate on the financial performance of the new channel. In an interim statement last August, the group said it anticipated a first-year operating loss of £2-£3 million, but expected to move into profitability in the second half of 2015. This loss is understood to relate to start-up costs – the station only started broadcasting on January 1st of this year, so it wouldn’t have sufficient revenues to offset costs yet.

Stokes is forecasting a 2015 loss of £3 million for the Irish service.

Overall, Davy is expecting 2014 sales to come in at £119.5 million, with EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) of £20.1 million, with diluted earnings per share of 14.4 pence.