ITN Confirms Raft Of Job Cuts

ITN, news provider for ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, has confirmed that up to 133 jobs may be lost during the roll out of its new digital technology. The cut ITN was forced to make in the value of its contract with ITV when challenged by a rival bid from the Channel 3 News Consortium (see ITC Decision Creates Competition For ITV News Provision For The First Time) is said to be have contributed to the losses, but ITN has denied that this is the sole reason. Individuals at the company will know whether they have been affected by 14 December.

The company has also said that the UK media recession and an increasingly competitive environment are to blame for job losses which will affect both TV staff and management, but will be limited among journalists. It stated that the figure of 133 may be reduced to 80, depending on negotiations for new broadcast news contracts.

A formal consultation period with staff will begin next week, with voluntary redundancy terms available until 10 December.

ITN: 020 7833 3000 www.itn.co.uk

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