THE owner of talkSPORT has reported a 62 per cent jump in half-year profits, helped by strong World Cup advertising sales.

Belfast-based radio and TV broadcaster UTV Media said the rise to £10 million came on the back of the Brazil football tournament and economic recovery in the UK and Ireland. Their revenues rose 13 per cent to £57.8m.

Sales at talkSPORT lifted 33 per cent due to the World Cup, while its talkSPORT International arm, which provides football commentary overseas, remained in profit as it broke into 25 new markets.