Figures released late this morning show that the Seven Network is now clearly number 1 in terms of ratings, profits and revenue.

The figures also show a slightly faster growth in TV advertising revenues than had been forecast as the industry experiences its best revenue conditions for two years.

In the six months from January to June this year Seven had 39.18% of the $1.337 billion spent in the five metro TV markets in Australia.

That compares to a 36.42% share in the same period of 2006 and 35.9% in the July-December period of 2006.

The Nine network’s share fell to 32.72% from 36.58% and 33.8% in the last six months of 2006. Ten’s share in the latest period was 28.10%, compared to 27.0% and a 30 per cent share in the last half of 2006. The Seven share is a little higher than forecast (estimates were around 38%), Nine is touch under the 33% estimate and Ten is a touch under the 29%.

The latest figures, from Free TV Australia, show that the metro market grew six per cent in the half to $1.337 billion from $1.267 billion in the first six months of 2006.

That’s much stronger than growth over all of 2006 which went backwards when compared to 2005.

This is in fact the first growth in metro TV advertising revenues for 18 months to two years. Regional TV revenues grew faster, up 8.5% in the latest half to $402 million. Regional TV revenues have grown over the past two years but this is the fastest growth in that period.

Overall TV advertising rose 6.57 per cent in the latest half to $1.740 million.