Angle-resolved ultraviolet photoelectron spectra from the valence bands of NiTe₂, PdTe₂ and PtTe₂ are presented and their empirical band structures along high-symmetry directions of the Brillouin zone are determined. Photon polarisation-dependent data together with photoionisation cross section behaviour give the position and character of the metal d bands at the Gamma point. The positions of these filled metal d bands are found to shift progressively to higher binding energies from Ni to Pd to Pt. Spectral features are discussed in terms of the details of theoretical band structure calculations (especially for PdTe₂), as are also implications for superconductivity in the compounds.