RATINGS GIVE NINE A BIG LIFT

NINE Entertainment has flagged a better-thanexpected start to the year, with chief executive Hugh Marks saying ad revenue and market share for the network have both performed well.

Mr Marks has told investors at Nine’s annual general meeting yesterday that the ad market for the first half of 2017-18 had been at the upper end of previous earnings guidance, while good ratings had lifted Nine’s share of the metropolitan TV ad market above 39 per cent, compared to expectations of 37.5 per cent.

The chief executive said premium content introduced at the start of the financial year, including Australian Ninja Warrior, and returning popular shows, such as The Block, were the main drivers behind the network’s successful ratings.

“( The Block) delivered an average audience growth of more than 20 per cent across all demographics and remains one of our most profitable franchises,” Mr Marks said.

Content and rights would continue to be the major focus for the network throughout the 2018 financial year and would be the key to future success, he said.

Mr Marks said Nine had made “significant inroads” in the past year, not only in its free-to-air sector but also in repositioning its focus on the evolving $6 billion video advertising market, which includes competitors YouTube, Facebook, Apple and Netflix.