UTV will continue to seek purchases

UTV boss Mr John McCann signalled yesterday that the media group would continue to seek acquisitions in the Republic this year.

Speaking after the group's annual general meeting in Belfast, Mr McCann told The Irish Times that the company was "interested in a number of licences in the South".

But he added that any purchase would be subject to regulatory approval. UTV already owns County Sound/96FM in Cork, Treaty Radio in Limerick and recently bought Lite FM in Dublin. It also sells advertising for Galway Bay FM.

The company plans to launch a flat-rate internet package north and south of the Border this month. It already offers flat rates for off-peak access, but Mr McCann said the new service would be available 24 hours a day. It also intends to launch a broadband service in the Republic this summer.

Mr McCann said UTV's initial focus in the Republic would be ensuring that loss-making Lite FM breaks even this year and goes on to profitability next year.