The Heritage Secretary Speaks Out On The Future Of UK TV

The broadcasting industry’s most influential people spoke at the Institute Of Economic Affairs, Future of UK Broadcasting conference yesterday.

Chris Smith, the heritage secretary, gave the key-note speech. He emphasised his commitment to public service broadcasting for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4. He conceded that ITV was gradually consolidating and he predicted that within a year the network would be controlled by four main companies. He does believe, however, that a single ITV company will come about in the near future. Mr Smith wants to make clear that, whatever happens, ITV must maintain its commitment to regional identity.

Ward Thomas, group chairman and chief executive of YTTTV, was the next speaker to step on to the podium. Following on from the heritage secretary, he said that consolidation of ITV was the only solution to the network’s current problems. He would like to see ITV reduced to no more than two major players and eventually merged into a single company. He also believes that regulations controlling ITV should be weakened and the Network Centre should be disbanded. In his view, these measures would work in conjunction to turn ITV into a major global player.