Today FM owner Scottish Radio Holdings (SRH) said revenues are 11 per cent ahead of last year due to healthy performances in both the radio and press divisions.
The media company said in a trading update today that advertising in its regional newspapers and radio station was particularly strong but the national market remained soft.
Including acquisitions, radio revenues for the six months to March 31st, 2005, are estimated to be 13 per cent ahead of the same period last year.
Revenue from radio stations that have been owned by SRH for more than a year is expected to be 3 per cent up on last year reflecting 9 per cent growth in local advertising revenues.
Sponsorship and promotions income increased by 8 per cent, but this growth is partially offset by a 4 per cent decline in national advertising revenue.
SRH's Score press division publishes 45 local weekly newspaper titles in Britain and Ireland. Press revenues are estimated to be 7 per cent ahead of the corresponding six months of the previous year.
Both overall and like-for-like advertising and circulation revenues are expected to show increases of 8 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively, with an increase in other revenues of 5 per cent.
The company said trading in the past six months has been "encouraging" and that longer term prospects remain "attractive".
SRH will publish interim results on May 19th, 2005.