U.K. TV giantITVon Thursday reported a 3 percent advertising revenue gain for the first quarter of 2024, with the current second quarter also forecast to record growth, but the Hollywood strikes hit its ITV Studios unit.

Compared to the same period in 2023, ITV had previously forecast its first-quarter 2024 ad revenue would be up 3 percent, with continued strong growth in digital advertising revenues.

On Thursday, the company reported strong momentum into the second quarter, expected to be up around 12 percent. The company, led by CEO Carolyn McCall,on Thursday also reported a 7 percent drop in total first-quarter external revenue for the January-March period and detailed results for its key business units.

Quarterly revenue at its production arm ITV Studios dropped sharply in the first quarter, whilerevenue in ITVs core media and entertainment unit was up 2 percent.

Total ITV Studios first-quarter revenue was down 16 percent, reflecting the phasing of deliveries and the expected impact of the U.S. writers and actors strike, the company said.

Said McCall: ITV continues to execute its strategy successfully. Over the full year we expect ITV Studios revenues to be broadly flat. We have a strong pipeline of programs, good demand for our quality content as we increasingly diversify our customer base towards streamers and the phasing of deliveries is heavily weighted to the second half of the year, including Hells Kitchen U.S., The Better Sister, A.C.A.B, Showtrial and Ludwig.

She added: ITVX continued to build on its strong first year and delivered double-digit growth in both digital viewing and digital advertising revenues in the first quarter, and we expect continued strong growth in both throughout the year.