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STV posted its highest profit for more than a decade after rising digital and regional advertising revenues offset a fall in income from national adverts.

Adjusted operating profits climbed by 13% to £22.6 million for the year to 31 December, with the Glasgow-based broadcaster hailing the performance of its digital division. Its STV Productions unit also narrowed its losses to £100,000 from £700,000 and said it was on course to turn a profit this year, with its biggest recommissions for Antiques Road Trip for the BBC and the new Clear Out, Cash In for Discovery’s Reality channel.

STV Productions returned to the drama market for the first time in a decade with both The Victim and Elizabeth is Missing shown on BBC One. STV also replaced BBC One as Scotland’s most-popular channel during 'peak time' for the first time since 2013.

The group’s revenues dipped by 2% to £123.8 million, with the national advertising market contracting by 4% year-on-year. Yet STV’s total advertising revenues grew by 2% to £101.6 million thanks to regional and digital advertising offsetting the national fall.

Chief executive Simon Pitts said: “An operating profit increase of 13% when national advertising revenues are down illustrates our growing resilience and the exciting growth potential of our regional, digital and production businesses. In 2019: STV was the most-popular peak-time channel in Scotland, ahead of BBC One for the first time in six years; our growth fund has now welcomed over 160 new advertisers to TV since launch, underpinning strong growth in regional revenues; and our digital streaming service STV Player launched on Sky and became universally available for the first time, helping to drive 37% growth in both streams and revenue.

“Despite uncertainty following the UK’s exit from the European Union and the coronavirus, we are positive about the outlook for 2020. We have made a strong start to the year on screen and online, in line with our expectations, and have an exciting programming line-up to look forward to, with the return of Saturday Night Takeaway , Britain’s Got Talent and new dramas like Liar and Quiz all helping to drive viewing on STV and the STV Player.”