Rugby World Cup sales have been strongly beneficial to national television broadcaster ITV (LON:ITV), who have reported a 13% rise in revenues for the nine months to the end of September.

Strong advertising revenue have pushed up their results, with total revenues at £2 billion, up £0.6 billion on a year earlier. ITV have also raised their revenue forecast to 5 percent higher for the full year.

ITV chief executive Adam Crozier said in a statement:

“We’re on track for another year of double digit profit growth as we continue to strengthen ITV in the UK and internationally.

“As we expected, share of viewing has improved in the second half driven by strong performances in daytime, the soaps and the Rugby World Cup, and continuing this trend remains a key focus for the business.”

ITV are currently trading up 0.82 percent at 258.80 pence per share (1108GMT).