ITV has confirmed that its £100 million acquisition of UTV’s television assets is complete and that the managing director of UTV and UTV Ireland is to transfer with the business. Adam Crozier, chief executive of ITV, said on Monday that UTV and UTV Ireland would become a “full part” of its company and it is committed to “maintaining and strengthening” UTV’s news service and its wider programming output.

Mr Crozier also had reassuring words for UTV television’s Dublin operation.

“The team has done a great job in establishing UTV Ireland and shaking up the Irish market place in the process. In just over a year on air, the channel is already running second in the market in ratings terms on a regular basis. This is a significant achievement and one we look forward to building upon with the team.”