U.K. newspaper publisher Trinity Mirror posted digital revenue growth of 23.7 percent in the first half and plans to buy more online businesses this year. CEO Sly Bailey told the earnings call: “We are continuing to look at a number of acquisitions and expect to make further progress in the remainder of the year.” She said digital acquisitions are “more likely.” The company bought TotallyLegal.com and TotallyFinancial.com in May for £11.8 million ($23.9 million) to grow its online classifieds base.

SEE ALSO: Trinity Mirror CEO Defies Digital Challenge, Expects Print Turnaround

Digital revenue in the regionals division, which publishes the “ic” network of 45 newspaper-affiliated websites, grew 25.4 percent and now makes up six percent of the unit’s revenue, while unique users increased more than 40 percent to £2.9 million ($5.9 million). icLiverpool was first to be upgraded in June. Bailey: “Early results are good, with page views ... seeing strong growth.” The rest will relaunch this year and five more hyperlocal sites will join the 15 so far rolled out. (Separately, according to journalism.co.uk, it is planning to print some of those hyperlocal sites.) In the national division, which runs the likes of The Mirror and the Daily Record, digital advertising revenues grew 16.8 percent to £1.1 million ($2.2 million)—what CFO Vijay Vaghela called “significant growth”.

Overall, the rate of decline slowed, with revenues down 0.4 percent to £526.3 million ($1 billion) and pre-tax profit growing 7.4 percent to £98.2 million ($200 million). Recruitment advertising - drying up for many print publishers - actually grew for the first time since early 2005. But the disposal of local newspaper units in London and the southeast pulled in £150 million ($300 million less than expected at £450 million ($911 million). Vaghela said some of that will be allocated for acquisitions.

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