8th Feb 2005 13:41
ITV PLC08 February 2005 ITV WELCOMES COMPLETION OF OFCOM PSB REVIEW ITV welcomes the publication today of Ofcom's phase three report which completesthe 15-month review of Public Service Broadcasting by the regulator. Overall, ITV agrees with Ofcom's diagnosis that the rapid transition to digitaldemands modernisation of the PSB commitments imposed on commercial publicservice broadcasters and, in particular, ITV1. For ITV, there is an opportunity to play a more focussed and effective PSB rolein the run up to switchover. In particular ITV believes that Ofcom's proposals for regional broadcasting andproduction for ITV1, together with commitments made by ITV, will help thechannel maintain and strengthen its commitment to the UK regions, rather thandiminish it. For the first time, ITV will commit to the majority of UK network commissionsbeing made outside London. This new network target will guarantee ITV networkspending outside London of more than £250 million per annum. In addition, Ofcom make clear that ITV's regional news obligations will remainin place. ITV1 broadcasts more than 5,000 hours per year of regional newsacross 15 regions and 27 sub-regions. ITV has also agreed to introduce a new Regional Production Partnership fundwhich will run for at least three years, committing £3 million per annum to newcommissions and development for the ITV network from new-to-network regionalproducers. Ofcom's proposals will lead to a reduction in non-news regional programmesbroadcast in daytime and late at night. However none of the main peak-timenon-news regional programmes and no regional news or regional current affairsprogramming will be affected. Commenting on the completion of the PSB review, Chief Executive of ITV plcCharles Allen said: "ITV plc welcomes the publication today of the final Ofcom report whichcompletes the PSB review. ITV has actively engaged in every stage of theprocess. We are particularly pleased that ITV's contribution to public servicebroadcasting in the UK has been acknowledged and endorsed by Ofcom." Enquiries: ITV media relations Brigitte Trafford 020 7620 1620Ruth Settle 020 7843 8225 Citigate Dewe Rogerson Simon Rigby 020 7638 9571Anthony Kennaway This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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