ITC Modifies Channel 5 Requirements

The ITC has fundamentally altered the basis upon which the Channel 5 licence is to be advertised.

In response to comments received after the draft Invitation to Apply was published, the ITC has made several amendments which “further reflect the ITC’s recognition of the financial constraints on the Channel 5 operator in the early years of the licence.”

The ITC had originally set the percentage of qualifying revenue stipulated as the first part of the tender at 5%. This has now been reduced to zero. The ITC had also required that the channel should begin broadcasting by the end of 1994, reaching a minimum of 40% of the population. This has now been revised to a minimum coverage of 30% by one year from the start of the service, or at the end of 1994, which- ever is the later.

The ITC’s new coverage requirements are intended to allow better for the phasing of the costs of VCR retuning and modification

With regard to programming, whilst the requirements for diversity and quality remain the same,the level of originally produced and commissioned programmesstipulated has been cut from 40% at the start of the licence to 30%. The target to be reached by year 5 was 65%, but has now been cut to 55%.

The ITC now states that it sees no reason to discourage applications which provide for any part of the Channel 5 service, including programmes in the evening peak time period, being supplied only to viewers who pay a subscription.

The ITC does not expect to invite applications for the Channel 5 licence before the end of February.

ITC: 071 584 7011