ITV should still see 5% growth in ad revenues across 2014 – “significantly ahead” of rivals and its best performance against the market in five years.
Crozier was also upbeat about programme-making arm ITV Studios even though it will put in a flat performance on an organic basis after several years of strong growth.
Thunderbirds Are Go, a forthcoming remake of the original series, has already been sold to Australia and the Middle East.
Revenues in the nine months to September rose 8% to £1.8 billion, with the pay and online division up almost a quarter. ITV shares tumbled 1%, before recovering those losses.
Other media groups have warned of an ad slowdown. Daily Mirror owner Trinity Mirror said earlier this week that ad revenues have “deteriorated” amid signs the UK's economic recovery may be slowing.
UTV, ITV’s counterpart in Northern Ireland, also said today it is feeling the squeeze because of “uncertainty” about Government advertising.
ITV's profits are on track for double-digit growth and it remains a takeover target after Virgin Media’s American owner Liberty Global bought a 6.4% stake in July.
