New Media Rights Deal For ITV
ITV and Pact have agreed new terms of trade in the area of new media rights which will allow audiences to access ITV’s most popular programmes throughout the run of a series or up to 30 days after a programme has been broadcast.
The deal means viewers will be able to watch repeats of the programmes on broadband, mobiles and television. ITV will also be able to offer programmes commissioned from independent producers across all on demand platforms.
In addition, ITV’s new terms of trade include a simplified and more flexible holdback policy that will allow producers to exploit rights previously held exclusively by ITV, and new funding models including potential development funding from ITV.
The original terms of trade, where intellectual property rights remained with the producer, have been used as an industry standard since the 2003 Communications Act. The new terms are designed to bring greater flexibility to ITV and the independent sector as well as greater choice to viewers.
Channel 4 recently agreed a similar deal with Pact where they will have the exclusive right to distribute programmes via VOD for 30 days after the programme’s first television transmission, on a free, pay per view or subscription basis (see C4 Wins Battle To Screen Shows Online).
Simon Shaps, director of television for ITV said: “This is great news for ITV’s viewers who in future will have much greater flexibility in how and when they watch their favourite shows. ITV has long been considered the best deal in town for independent producers. These modernised terms of trade mean we are now fit for purpose for the digital age and can look forward to a continued strong and profitable relationship with the independent sector.”
Alex Graham, Pact chairman said: “Pact has sought to strike a balanced deal that ensures producers will benefit from new revenues generated by ITV’s VOD services. Furthermore, the new holdback policy will enable producers to release more programmes earlier to the secondary UK TV market, which represents a significant new revenue stream for the sector.”
ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com