Former BSkyB Exec To Review ITV Digital

Granada has brought in former BSkyB senior executive, David Chance, to conduct a review into the future of the troubled pay-per-view platform, ITV Digital.

Chance, who is a non-executive officer of Granada, will be looking at how ITV Digital is to be financed and how it can stem its losses. His brief is to consider “all options” for the digital broadcaster including the possibility of third-party deals and the outright closure of the platform.

A spokesperson for Granada today confirmed that Chance’s remit would be far reaching, saying: “Nothing is being ruled out at this stage.” He denied that the closure of the platform was imminent, adding: “ITV Digital is totally on course to break even by 2004 and if anything it is slightly ahead of schedule.”

ITV chief executive, Stuart Prebble, assured shareholders last week that the long term future of ITV Digital was safe (see Prebble Denies ITV Digital Will Close). However speculation is mounting that Granada and Carlton are planning to restructure the platform as they reconsider their investment in the venture, which is thought to be running at £20 million a week.

ITV Digital recently reported subscriber figures ahead of expectations claiming that its 82,000 new digital customers placed it ahead of its closest rival, BSkyB, in terms of new subscribers. However, churn rate at ITV Digital remains almost double that of BSkyB (see Sky Still Strong Despite Pre Tax Losses).

Granada: 020 7620 1620 www.granada.co.uk ITV Digital: 0808 100 0101 www.itv.co.uk

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