BROADCASTER ITV says revenues across its channels have increased after a strong performance from its production division.

The Coronation Street and Emmerdale channel says total revenues lifted six per cent to £1.6bn in the nine months to the end of September.

Bosses also revealed its ITV Studios arm, which makes programmes including North-East detective drama Vera, and last week aired its last episode of Agatha Christie's Poirot, increased revenues by 11 per cent in the period.

They said it had lured more viewers to its main ITV1 channel in the period, with sister digital channels ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 also sitting as some of the most popular in the UK.

In a report, ITV says it expects advertising revenues across all channels to rise by two per cent for the full year, with revenues from its latest series of Downton Abbey and I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here to be included in fourth quarter results.

Adam Crozier, ITV chief executive, said the company was pleased with the results.

Mr Crozier, who was previously head of the Royal Mail and the Football Association, said: “We continue to make good progress to grow and strengthen ITV creatively and commercially.

“All parts of the business are performing well, and total external revenues rose six per cent, driven by strong growth in online, pay and interactive, and ITV Studios.

“Our ongoing investment in ITV Studios continues to bear fruit and we are confident of a strong performance over the full year, backed up by a good on-screen performance and increasingly varied and high quality schedule.

“Share of viewing on our main channel is up three per cent and ITV2 and ITV3 remain the most popular digital channels in the UK.

“This strong viewing performance clearly stands us in good stead for our 2014 advertising agreements.”

ITV's results also revealed advertising revenues increased by eight per cent in October, and is expected to rise by another four per cent in November and one per cent in December.

Mr Crozier added ITV's work to save £25m was on target, which he said will allow it to continue its growth.

He said: “ITV is now a stronger and more balanced business and as we move into 2014, we will continue to see growth across the company.”