UTV Media plc, a Belfast-headquartered media company and part of the ITV network, has bolstered its New Media division with the £5 million acquisition of web development business Tibus, which it plans to integrate post completion.

UTV Media plc, a Belfast-headquartered media company and part of the ITV network, has bolstered its New Media division with the £5 million acquisition of web development business Tibus, which it plans to integrate post completion.

The Tibus purchase from Anderson Spratt Group Holdings is expected to enhance the online presence of all of UTV Media’s television and radio stations and improve the group’s integration of media across online and broadcast platforms. It follows several years of diversification, aimed at expanding UTV’s Television operations into radio and new media. The company has grown to 950 staff.

Founded in 1996, Tibus specialises in providing online services for clients across a range of business sectors and central and local government.

Tibus chairman Colin Anderson commented: “I have no doubt, now with the total embrace of UTV Media, Tibus will be in an even stronger position to offer its current clients the service they have been accustomed to and equally expand its operations to meet the fantastic opportunities that UTV Media offer.”

John McCann, UTV Media group chief executive, added: “UTV broadcasts the most watched programming in Northern Ireland and our expertise in producing entertaining and informative content combined with Tibus’ web expertise will ensure we communicate with our viewers and listeners via online channels, enabling them to contribute, engage and interact with us in a way most suitable and convenient for them, be that TV, radio, web, or mobile.”