ITC Annual Report And Accounts 2000 Published
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has published its new style annual report for 2000. Designed to meet the needs of the increasingly diverse structure of TV broadcasting, it also anticipates the governments new requirements in the Communications legislation (see Chris Smith Unveils Ofcom).
Introducing the report, chairman Sir Robin Biggam outlined the steps the ITC is taking to integrate the regulation of broadcasting, spectrum usage and telecommunications to provide a framework for the digital transition. Chief executive Patricia Hodgson noted the increasing competition between digital TV service providers and the move towards a deregulatory structure for UK communications, adding that the new annual report aimed to develop into a wide ranging industry information source.
The document identifies the take-off of digital television during the year as the fastest observed in any recent technology. Over 30% of UK households now have digital TV, it points out, compared to 33% which have internet access and 60% mobile phone use.
Advertising revenue made up 46% of total industry revenue, at £3.3bn, despite the slowdown in the fourth quarter. The share of this revenue received by multichannel services has risen to 14%, while the proportion of total television revenue coming from subscription income has grown to 26%, totalling £1.9bn during the year.
The ITC licensed a larger number of new services – some 116 – last year, compared to 71 during 1999. Hours of television output has grown “exponentially” according to the report, thanks to new digital channels and the increasing number of 24-hour services. The largest increases in broadcast hours were seen in film, documentaries and children’s programming, followed by light entertainment, sport, drama and hobbies.
The industry is thought to have invested between £6.5bn and £7bn in programmes during the year, with the biggest spenders being BBC, ITV and BSkyB. Budgets for the main terrestrial channels rose by 7.5%.
The report’s performance reviews for the commercial public service channels stated that ITV “showed little evidence of improvement” after heavy criticism last year, Channel Four was found to have “delivered its remit for diverse and distinct programmes”, while Channel 5 achieved its highest ever amount of original productions and commissions, although it was still criticised for its late night erotica broadcasting.
There was an increase in the number of complaints about programmes during 2000, bringing the total to 3,912, compared to 3,894 in 1999. Complaints about violence increased, but complaints about taste and decency fell. The largest rise in complaints was in the “scheduling” category, with adult themed programmes such as Jerry Springer attracting complaints when screened pre-watershed.
Copies of the ITC Annual Report and Accounts are available from the ITC information office, or from the website (see below)
ITC: 020 7255 3000 www.itc.org.uk
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