ITV Continues Network Dispute With OFT

The Monopolies and Mergers Commission is to begin an investigation into an Office of Fair Trading report on ITV networking arrangements, which claims that independent producers get a raw deal with the present set-up.

The row began in August when the report was first brought to light, with the OFT disputing that ITV should not be allowed to hold on to programme rights for as many as ten years and that it should set up a central body to deal with independent producers, instead of the present regional divisions (Newsline 7/8). Calls for an investigation into the report have come from both the ITVA and the Independent Television Commission and will take up to three months to complete during which time the old system will continue operating.

ITVA: 071 612 8000