Norman pledges to make radical changes at ITV

ITV’s new chairman Archie Norman is set to make radical changes at the broadcaster.

In an email to staff, Norman unveiled plans to launch a strategy review in what he is said would be “another difficult year”.

Norman, who replaced Sir Michael Grade on Monday, wants to “accelerate the transformation” of the broadcaster, which he promises will be a “very different business in three years time”.

“Our objective is to recreate the business so it can not just survive but prosper in the new media world,” Norman said in the email.

He hopes the changes will help to “build on [ITV’s] strengths – the ITV brand, great content, innovation and creativity to become once again a growth business.”

Norman also praised ITV for its success in the last quarter of 2009, which was boosted by hit-rating shows such as The X Factor, I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!, Benidorm and the broadcaster’s special five-part drama Collision.

Although he added: “I think it is important that we all recognise that we are not out of the woods yet and 2010 looks like another difficult year.

“We know that ITV cannot remain as it is. ‘No change’ is not an option. We need to be a very different business in three years’ time.  We need to continue to improve our content whilst living within our means on costs.”

Norman also indicated that there would be job cuts at the broadcaster, particularly within the GMTV franchise, which ITV took full control of in November last year.