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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.
But there has not been universal approval of the idea that ITV would show less regional news. 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 PROGRAMMEFROM 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. 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.
It is trying to establish a way in which the commercial TV industry can reshape itself to address these issues. 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.
Ofcom will spend the coming months assessing the options, before releasing its final recommendations early next year. "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.