GMG Chief Executive Joins ITV Board

Commercial broadcaster, ITV has announced the appointment of the chief executive of Guardian Media Group (GMG) as a non-executive director of ITV.

Sir Robert Phillis will be joined in this role by Baroness Usha Prashar CBE, chancellor of De Montfort University.

Industry sources have speculated that the move will give ITV much needed expertise on the boardroom level as it moves into the digital market and expands its portfolio.

Recently ITV has seen its advertising revenues steadily diminish, with its 2004 budget at only £4 million compared to the BBC’s £12 million, Channel 4’s £5 million and Five’s £4.5 million. However, ITV is predicted to double its advertising budget under ITV’s new marketing director, Clare Salmon.

Commenting on the new appointment, Sir Peter Burt, ITV’s chairman said: “We’re delighted to have attracted two non-executive directors of such high calibre who together bring a wealth of relevant media and Government experience. They will make a significant contribution as we grow our business.”

The Public Broadcasting review published yesterday by media watchdog Ofcom, stated that ITV will be allowed to reduce its non-news regional output, resulting in ITV programming just half an hour of non-news regional programming in England per week, once the digital switchover has occurred.

Last week, the GMG announced that it had has decided not submit an application for the new Manchester radio licence, on the grounds that it is not commercially viable. The move represents a complete U-turn for the company, which announced its intention to create a 24-hour speech and news station for the region, dubbed Channel M Radio, in October last year.

Guardian Media Group: 020 7713 4452 www.gmgplc.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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