ITC Disappointed At Lack Of ITV Regional Commitment

The Independent Television Commission (ITC) has criticised ITV’s commitment to regional services. ITC chairman Sir Robin Biggam, speaking at an ITC event in Manchester, said that when it came to ITV’s submission to the Government on the Communications White Paper, its comments on regionality could be summed up as “Trust Us”. Describing the cost of producing regional programming as a “financial penalty” encumbent on the public service broadcaster, Biggam continued “I feel Government will require more than ‘Trust Us’ from ITV.”

The ITC is said to be “disappointed” by what it sees as ITV’s “failure to embrace the need for new and different commitments to the regional services.” The aforementioned submission apparently makes no firm commitments to either regional resources or regional services.

“The history of commercial broadcasting in the UK is based on the overall economic benefits accruing to a public service broadcaster exceeding the financial penalty of providing services such as regional programmes which are clearly less profitable than networked programmes.” the ITC chairman explained.

Despite his criticism, Biggam nevertheless held out the possibility of compromise to the broadcaster, pointing out that with the Communications Bill still at the discussion stage, there was enough time to reach agreement. “I can make the offer tonight that we for our part are prepared to discuss with ITV a framework for the Nations and Regions of the UK in the belief that we could present to Government a proposal which would be more acceptable to them and would provide a guarantee to the Regions of quality programmes and continuing regional resources.”  he said.

ITC: 020 7306 7743 www.itc.org.uk

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