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ITV 'can cut' regional programmes | ITV 'can cut' regional programmes |
(about 1 hour later) | |
ITV would provide fewer regional programmes, including news bulletins, under proposals from regulator Ofcom. | ITV would provide fewer regional programmes, including news bulletins, under proposals from regulator Ofcom. |
The broadcaster has been advised to concentrate on providing original output which has been made in the UK. | The broadcaster has been advised to concentrate on providing original output which has been made in the UK. |
It would be allowed to show fewer daytime news bulletins, but only after it "restructured" its news operations in England and the Scottish Borders. | It would be allowed to show fewer daytime news bulletins, but only after it "restructured" its news operations in England and the Scottish Borders. |
Ofcom has been looking at the future of public-service broadcasting at a time when advertising income is falling. | Ofcom has been looking at the future of public-service broadcasting at a time when advertising income is falling. |
There needed to be "a deep structural change", said the organisation's chief executive, Ed Richards. | |
"The system where easy profits for commercial public service broadcasters effectively subsidised certain kinds of programmes has now gone. | |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME |
"What we are proposing is to focus on audiences' priorities - those areas that audiences most value," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. | |
But there has not been universal approval of the idea that ITV would show less regional news. | |
The broadcaster plans to cut its newsrooms around the UK from 17 to nine. | The broadcaster plans to cut its newsrooms around the UK from 17 to nine. |
Politicians have made submissions to Ofcom over the proposed merger of the Border and Tyne Tees newsrooms, covering the south-east and south-west of Scotland, plus the north-east of England and Cumbria. | |
There were concerns that the quality of news for the south of Scotland would fall if it lost its customised bulletins. | There were concerns that the quality of news for the south of Scotland would fall if it lost its customised bulletins. |
Speaking in general terms, Mr Richards said peak-time news bulletins must remain on ITV as they were "the kind of news that is most watched and most valued by audiences". | |
'Unattractive' investments | 'Unattractive' investments |
The drop in advertising revenue is considered to have put pressure on the main commercial broadcasters - ITV, Channel 4 and Five - to meet their commitments to public-service programming. | The drop in advertising revenue is considered to have put pressure on the main commercial broadcasters - ITV, Channel 4 and Five - to meet their commitments to public-service programming. |
Until now they have effectively been given a public subsidy to provide the types of programmes which are less profitable and not as attractive in commercial terms. | Until now they have effectively been given a public subsidy to provide the types of programmes which are less profitable and not as attractive in commercial terms. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme Children's programmes, current affairs documentaries, single dramas, British-made sitcoms and regional news are all considered to fall into this category. | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme Children's programmes, current affairs documentaries, single dramas, British-made sitcoms and regional news are all considered to fall into this category. |
But now Ofcom has forecast that between £145 and £235 million of extra public funding will be needed by 2012 to maintain present levels of programming. | But now Ofcom has forecast that between £145 and £235 million of extra public funding will be needed by 2012 to maintain present levels of programming. |
The regulator also believes Channel 4 will need funding from other sources to meet its public-service commitments. | The regulator also believes Channel 4 will need funding from other sources to meet its public-service commitments. |
This is a matter for the government to decide, but Mr Richards said Ofcom opposed "top-slicing" the licence fee, where some of the revenue generated for the BBC was redistributed to Channel 4. | |
"The budgets for the BBC's services and programmes must be protected," he said. | |
Current affairs shows such as Anne Widdecombe's benefit from the subsidyOfcom is trying to establish a way in which the commercial TV industry can reshape itself to address all of these issues. | |
It will continue to consult broadcasters and assess options until December, before releasing its final recommendations early next year. | |
ITV said it welcomed Ofcom's proposals to shake up the rules covering its schedules. | ITV said it welcomed Ofcom's proposals to shake up the rules covering its schedules. |
"We have consistently argued that the regulatory costs and commercial benefits of holding the ITV plc licences need to be rebalanced between now and analogue switch-off in 2012," it said in a statement. | "We have consistently argued that the regulatory costs and commercial benefits of holding the ITV plc licences need to be rebalanced between now and analogue switch-off in 2012," it said in a statement. |