The significant increase of web users visiting ITV's website has been attributed to the growth of broadband in the UK.

ITV Consumer managing director Jeff Henry has told Brand Republic that figures which show 8.3 million internet surfers logging on to ITV.com last month can be traced to the prevalence of high-speed web services in the UK.

A 30-day TV catch-up service similar to the BBC's iPlayer requires users to have broadband access in order to watch the videos available with minimal buffering.

The 12.5 million videos watched in October marks a 550 per cent rise from 12 months previously.

According to Brand Republic, an indication of the ITV.com's success is that "Hitwise ranks the site number one for in the news and media - community directories and guides category".

ITV launched its broadband TV service at the start of 2007, with advertisers being able to purchase pre-programme commercial time.