12th Oct 2005 10:05
ITV PLC12 October 2005 ITV AND CHANNEL 4 JOIN THE FREEVIEW CONSORTIUM London, 12 October 2005: DTV Services Limited (DTVSL), the consortium which ownsand markets Freeview, the fast-growing free digital terrestrial TV service,today announced it has two new shareholders: ITV and Channel 4. As of October11, ITV and Channel 4 are equal shareholders in the DTVSL consortium, eachtaking a 20% stake alongside the three founding shareholders: BBC, BSkyB andNational Grid Wireless (formerly Crown Castle UK). Set up three years ago in October 2002 to promote the package of free-to-airdigital terrestrial channels on the UK's DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television)platform, the consortium has ensured that the successful Freeview service is nowin over 5m homes. ITV and Channel 4's financial contributions towards themarketing of Freeview will be in line with those of the other shareholders. Peter Abery, Chairman of Freeview commented: "We're delighted to welcome ITV andChannel 4 to the consortium at a time when the Freeview service continues to gofrom strength to strength. ITV and Channel 4's involvement, both from astrategic and financial point of view, will further enable us to raise awarenessof the Freeview service as we continue to drive digital terrestrial take-up inthe UK. With the addition of more channels, including ITV4, More4 and Sky3 soonto be joining Freeview, the service offers an exciting channel line up forconsumers looking to get digital TV." Andy Duncan, Chief Executive of Channel 4, said: "Freeview has transformed thetelevision industry since its launch 3 years ago. Building a powerfulmulti-channel presence is central to Channel 4's future strategy and developinga strong position on Freeview is a crucial part of this ambition. E4 has morethan doubled its share of the multi-channel TV audience year-on-year this autumnfollowing its launch on Freeview and our new adult entertainment channel, More4, will also attract a significant percentage of its viewing from Freeview homesfollowing its launch on Monday. We believe that Channel 4 and its sisterservices play a key role in helping drive take-up of Freeview and it's logicalthat we should now take a more formal role in the running and marketing of theservice." Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV plc said: "The rapid growth of the DTTplatform and the success of Freeview offer a great opportunity for ITV as acontent provider, channel owner and multiplex licence holder. There are veryreal benefits for ITV in growing and developing Freeview, and the most effectiveway for us to do that is to be at the heart of the marketing effort. ITV'schannels have already played an important role in driving the take up ofFreeview - ITV2 and ITV3 are now the two most watched digital channels inFreeview homes, and ITV3 was the most successful launch in multi-channelhistory. ITV4 and our new children's channel will also be added to the Freeviewoffering in the coming months. Becoming a shareholder means we can play an evenstronger part in driving the growth of Freeview." About Freeview Freeview, the free-to-air digital terrestrial television service on the UKdigital terrestrial (DTT) platform, is a simple way to get digital television.Freeview's objective is to promote the benefits of free-to-view digitalterrestrial TV and increase its penetration in the UK - by offering a compellingpackage of free-to-air digital TV content with no contract. The service offers around 30 channels of free digital television, interactivityand text, as well as over 20 free digital radio stations - all delivered toexisting TVs in Freeview coverage areas through a rooftop aerial. Freeview's TVchannel package features a mixture of programme genres, from entertainment andtravel, through to children's TV, documentaries, music and 24-hour news. The Freeview brand is owned and marketed by DTV Services Limited (a jointventure now between the BBC, National Grid Wireless (formerly Crown Castle UK),BSkyB, ITV and Channel 4). It is estimated that over 5 million homes now own adigital terrestrial box (figures from the end of June 2005), and Freeview is oneof the fastest growing consumer products ever to launch in the UK. For further information about Freeview, please contact: Emma Hutchinson, Lee Nugent or Nick Clark Nelson Bostock Communications 020 7229 4400 [email protected] For further information about Channel 4, please contact: Matt Baker 020 7306 3636 [email protected] For further information about ITV, please contact: Brigitte Trafford 020 7737 8719 [email protected] Jim Godfrey 020 7261 8148 [email protected] James Tibbitts 020 7261 3867 [email protected] This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
ITV