BROADCASTING giant ITV reported a near trebling in annual profits as it benefited from a bounce-back in advertising revenues.

The group posted underlying pre-tax profits of £321m for 2010, up from £108m in 2009 and said it outperformed a resurgent television advertising market.

ITV credited a successful World Cup and a strong line-up of programmes, including Downton Abbey and X-Factor – although ITV1’s share of viewing fell in 2010.