Channel 5 has reported a rise in pre-tax profits of almost 50% as shows including Celebrity Big Brother and The X-Files helped it improve ratings against ITV and Channel 4.
It is the first time that Channel 5 has reported back-to-back years of profitability in its 20-year history. Pre-tax profit soared to £58.9m, compared with £39.5m in the year to September 2015.
The company also reported a healthy 19% rise in turnover to £383m, in the year to the end of September. The US pay-TV giant Viacom acquired Channel 5 from Express newspapers owner Richard Desmond for £463m in 2014.
The broadcaster highlighted a 9% increase in its share of viewing of 16- to-34-year-olds, a demographic highlycoveted by advertisers.
Celebrity Big Brother equalled its highest ever share of viewing among 16- to-34-year-olds.
The broadcaster increased its spend on programming by 11% to £230m including buying The X-Files, the first new series of the hit show in 13 years, which gave Channel 5 its biggest ever audience for a drama.
