White Paper Paves Way For Single ITV

A single ITV could become a reality in the next few years, following today’s proposals for relaxation of broadcasting regulation.

The main proposals for ownership regulation are as follows:

• The 15% limit on television audience share will be replaced with a new system for ensuring plurality in television services and the rule which prohibits single ownership of the two London ITV licences will be revoked.
• The points system by which radio is regulated will be replaced with a fairer, simpler regime or be completely revoked.
• Cross-media ownership has not been dealt with in the paper but comments om the issue are invited.
• A lighter touch for newspaper mergers will be considered.

ITN, the nominated news provider for ITV, will be retained but a clause will be introduced to allow other news broadcasters to bid for the contract. The law currently prevents any single shareholder owning more than 20% of the ITV news provider. Thus Sky News has been unable to bid for the contract because Murdoch’s NewsCorp owns more than 20% of the channel. The Government will consider scrapping this rule, however.

ITV Network today welcomed the Paper. ITV’s director of programmes David Liddiment said: “The White Paper sets out a clear vision for the future regulation of broadcasting in the digital age. Its strong endorsement of ITV’s unique contribution to public service broadcasting as the UK’s leading regional broadcaster is good news both for the industry and for viewers.

“The modernised regulatory regime proposed in the White Paper should enable public service broadcasters to continue to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive multi-media world.”

ITV: 020 7843 8000