Three Way Split For TV Sales?

The Department of Trade and Industry’s statement on Friday, which gave both Carlton and Granada permission to control up to 25% of all TV advertising revenue as opposed to 25% of ITV revenue is expected to result in a three house system, according to trade press reports this morning.

The three houses look likely to be headed by Granada, to include LWT,YTTV, Border, STV and Grampian; Meridian with HTV, Anglia and Westcountry; Carlton together with Central and Ulster.

The DTI’s clause that the amounts could exceed 25% by a small amount, such as 2%, was to protect the smaller companies. The ITC’s ruling on airtime sales is not due until March, and is not expected to differ from the DTI statement; it is likely it will issue rules governing how sales would work within this limit.