ITV Calls For Reduction In Licence Fee

In its Review of 1996 the ITV Network Centre has said that the ITC must reduce its licence fee payments if it is to compete effectively in the television market.

Leslie Hill, chairman of the ITV Association, said that competition in the industry had never been so fierce and it would intensify in the run-up to the millennium. He commented: “If we are to continue to invest heavily in high quality original programmes, our current level of supertaxes need to be substantially reduced.”

Last year the Network’s total spend on networked programmes was £353m, with an additional £180m for regional output. This year it has increased to £600m and £200m respectively. ITV currently pays the ITC £400m a year in licence payments.

ITV: 0171 843 8000