X Factor Boosts ITV Shares

ITV shares have raced ahead after better-than-expected advertising figures gave the broadcaster some relief from its ongoing leadership crisis.
It has significantly outperformed Channel 4 and Five year on year in terms of its share of commercial impacts.
The return of the Simon Cowell-fronted talent contest helped ITV1 maintain its share among adults aged 16 to 34.
Meanwhile, it suffered only a 1% year-on-year drop in its share of all-adult impacts and a 2% drop in its share of impacts year on year among adults aged 35+.
The performance was partly boosted by the broadcaster's decision to air a second X Factor show on Sunday evenings. The Sunday shows have helped ITV1 pull in significant new impacts - the 4 October show peaked with 13.9 million viewers, said ITV.
An ITV spokesman, however, while welcoming The X Factor boost, highlighted ITV1's performance in other parts of the schedule: "Soap and drama performed well in September. And we were helped by football.
"The England v Croatia World Cup qualifier on 9 September peaked on ITV1 with 13.9 million viewers."
However, ITV is still hunting a new boss, and are reported to have begun urgent talks with Sir Crispin Davis, the former boss of Reed Elsevier, and Sir Michael Bishop, the airline entrepreneur who chaired Channel 4, in an attempt to accelerate the appointment of a new Chairman.
Davis and Bishop are the frontrunners, although Sir Christopher Bland, the former chairman of the BBC and BT, and Martin Broughton, chairman of British Airways, have also been approached.
ITV is currently 'rudderless' after talks broke down with Tony Ball, the former Sky boss, who had been chosen as the new Chief Executive.
Channel 4's share of adult 16-34 impacts was down 12% year on year. Mike Parker, head of strategic sales, C4, said the broadcaster remained confident of a solid performance over the rest of the year.
"We're confident of the upcoming schedule," he added. "And our digital channels are increasing their share."
See: ITV Boss's Pay Deal Refused
(BMcC/KMcA)