Wireless Group profits down but strong future predicted

TalkSport owner Wireless Group has predicted a strong future as it prepares to be swallowed up by News Corp in a £220 million takeover.

Despite a first-half profits fall and worries the Brexit vote could harm ad revenues, chairman Richard Huntingford said the long-term outlook was strong.

“TalkSport is a highly attractive medium for advertisers seeking male audiences,” he said, adding that the three new digital stations launched in the first half, including the return of Virgin Radio — whose breakfast show is hosted by Edith Bowman, —were all on target.

Euro 2016 helped boost talkSport’s audience to its second-highest level of 3.3 million listeners a week, and it has upped Premier League coverage.

Wireless, the former UTV, sold its commercial television business to ITV in February, leaving the remaining radio business ripe for News Corp’s takeover.

News UK believes there can be good crossover between The Sun and talkSport.

Wireless first-half pre-tax profits dropped to £4.5 million from £5 million.