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New ITV
Chairman Pay-TV Move
ITV's new chairman is considering charging viewers for some
of its channels as part of a complete overhaul of the broadcaster, it was
reported today.
Archie Norman is thought to be mulling a move into the pay-TV market as he
prepares to take the reins early next year, according to reports in the Mail
on Sunday and Sunday Times.
He is also understood to be planning a shake up in the boardroom in the wake
of the firm's protracted leadership crisis in which it struggled to replace
Michael Grade, who holds a dual executive chairman role.
The former Conservative MP and Asda boss, who will lead the search for a
chief executive, is expected to cut the number of board members over time.
But the move to pay-TV is thought to be on the cards in the near future as
Mr Norman looks to boost ITV, which has seen slumping advertising revenues
in the recession.
The broadcaster's stable of digital channels - ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 - could
all be switched over from Freeview to subscription-only platforms, the
reports said.
ITV reported a £105 million loss for the first half of this year.
Earlier this month the broadcaster said group revenues were £1.3 billion in
the nine months to September 30, against £1.47 billion a year earlier.
The firm is aiming for £155 million of cost savings in 2009 and, according
to the Mail on
Sunday, there could be further cuts and job losses.
Mr Norman is also understood to be keen on remaining in both broadcasting
and production and is thought to want to retain ITV Productions, which makes
shows such as I'm A Celebrity and Coronation Street.
But he is thought to be keen on developing the international appeal of the
shows produced, so that the firm can cash in on its rights ownership.
21:00
November 22 2009 - waveguide.co.uk
Reader Comment
As long as he doesn't intend showing ads on the
pay-to-view channels. Paying to watch ads just isn't in my.... hold on...
Did you say they ONLY made 130 BILLION quid profit????
This is obviously some new kind of penury that I am yet to come across.
- Deke.
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