Response to Ofcom release

ITV PLC
08 February 2005



ITV WELCOMES COMPLETION OF OFCOM PSB REVIEW



ITV welcomes the publication today of Ofcom's phase three report which completes
the 15-month review of Public Service Broadcasting by the regulator.



Overall, ITV agrees with Ofcom's diagnosis that the rapid transition to digital
demands modernisation of the PSB commitments imposed on commercial public
service broadcasters and, in particular, ITV1.



For ITV, there is an opportunity to play a more focussed and effective PSB role
in the run up to switchover.



In particular ITV believes that Ofcom's proposals for regional broadcasting and
production for ITV1, together with commitments made by ITV, will help the
channel maintain and strengthen its commitment to the UK regions, rather than
diminish it.



For the first time, ITV will commit to the majority of UK network commissions
being made outside London.  This new network target will guarantee ITV network
spending outside London of more than £250 million per annum.



In addition, Ofcom make clear that ITV's regional news obligations will remain
in place.  ITV1 broadcasts more than 5,000 hours per year of regional news
across 15 regions and 27 sub-regions.



ITV has also agreed to introduce a new Regional Production Partnership fund
which will run for at least three years, committing £3 million per annum to new
commissions and development for the ITV network from new-to-network regional
producers.



Ofcom's proposals will lead to a reduction in non-news regional programmes
broadcast in daytime and late at night.  However none of the main peak-time
non-news regional programmes and no regional news or regional current affairs
programming will be affected.



Commenting on the completion of the PSB review, Chief Executive of ITV plc
Charles Allen said:



'ITV plc welcomes the publication today of the final Ofcom report which
completes the PSB review.  ITV has actively engaged in every stage of the
process.  We are particularly pleased that ITV's contribution to public service
broadcasting in the UK has been acknowledged and endorsed by Ofcom.'



Enquiries:



ITV media relations



Brigitte Trafford                  020 7620 1620
Ruth Settle                        020 7843 8225



Citigate Dewe Rogerson


Simon Rigby                        020 7638 9571
Anthony Kennaway




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