Grade calls for simplified ITV regional structure

Personally I'd rather C4 were paying for it themselves, but then again I don't agree with the charges OFCOM are introducing.


I disagree though that regional TV is a "regulatory burden no longer relevant in todays environment".

To be fair I've no issue in them looking into the regional boundaries and changing them if appropriate (as long as it doesn't become a series of super regions) - but ITV seem to be blackmailing OFCOM when it comes to regional TV and OFCOM aren't reminding them who is in charge.


IMO there is no question that ITV want rid of it's regional commitments - and they've already begun using dirty tricks by taking the regional news out of the national bulletins. I'm in no doubt they hope it'll hit ratings, making regional news seem less important and improving their case to drop it!

the article makes a good argument for change (4 regions cover half of population, the other half is covered by the remaining 12 etc) but is not clear about what would replace the current system. If, for example, Anglia is abolished, what regional programmes would we get instead - stuff from London?

I am also shocked at MediaGuardian ignorance - to say Anglia covers Norfolk and Suffolk and that WestCountry covers Deven and Cornwall is dreadful.

If we ignore non-news for a moment, perhaps we will see a return to the previous regional news programmes (eg Anglia news from Milton Keynes to Lowestoft, from Cromer to Southend). That would serve a similar number of people as the super regions Grade refers to. The same with Meridian.

I'm not referring to regional TV being the regulatory burden, indeed Michael Grade has indicated that he wants to creat a new generation of sustainable national and regional services on ITV1, "Different from what we've had in the past, but fit for purpose in today's ultra competitive world."

The regulatory burden is the legislation, quotas, intervention, advertising restrictions and contract rights renewal.

C4 is the best example yet that public service TV is becoming increasingly less commercially viable in the 21st century multi-channel digital age.

itv has evolved itself into the market driven company it is now. although it suited the government, itv has changed of its own accord (most probably driven by the bigger companies) and now it wants to alter the rules of the game to suit.

its right that a company should pursue profitability. however itv is unique. it is a former monopoly which still holds a great deal of power. having position 3 on the epg is a huge asset.

at the same time regional tv is important. in the same way local and national government and the lottery pour money into local arts and culture, the importance of local people having a service that represents their area, their news and their culture cannot be understated. it seems quite logical that in exchange for retaining their position of market dominance, itv should fulfill psb functions, a bit like BT are forced to maintain the public phone boxes.

if they were to become 'just another channel' then they ought to relinquish position number 3 and sit next to the other entertainment channels whilst a psb service can remain on 3.

Indeed, I think everyone is missing the point somewhat.

Now that ITV is so consolidated, sticking to the traditional regions isn't necessary. In the old days with competing companies changing a region's boundaries (such as Meridian north and Central South) would have been a complex business. Now they're all owned by the same company the oppertunities for redesigning the regions according to population, or any other criteria are possible for the first time.

Not by much - nearly all of [Greater] London is covered by a single transmitter @ Crystal Palace, after all; and I think Granada's the same (which probably means the same is true for the other two "super regions"). The smallest practical unit you can have for a region is a single transmitter (=/= relay).

Grade's argument that the best ratings come from the larger regions is bogus. Smaller areas like the North East, South West and the Borders have always had much higher audience shares than many of the bigger regions for regional TV.

It needs to be made clear to ITV that they can either have a privileged existence, or no restrictions, but not both . Huddy mentioned Murdoch; I happen to think that it is grossly unfair that ITV should have a cushy fallback position if they want to fight it out with Sky who has none apart from its strength. If this means that ITV is destroyed, tough. They clearly weren't strong enough.

If you want a free capitalist system you must live with the downsides. They either provide what they were licenced to do, or they b*gger off to multichannel and let someone who is prepared to do so to take over -- there will be no shortage of takers.

I'd imagine the regions would be as follows:

North West
North East
Midlands
South West
South East
London
Wales

It's a shame considering ITV's heritage, but these days less and less people find the need for a local ITV service. There are far more ways of getting local news, and it's never been a massive ratings puller anyway so it makes sense.

I'd rather quality over quantity.

I presume your "North West" would include the English/Manx part of what is currently Border land? That would mean there'd have to be something like an "ITV South Scotland Today/Tonight" (from, say, studios in Dumfries or something)! Would that be deemed viable?

I presume your "North East" would equate to Tyne Tees land & Calendar land, combined? Would that not be a bit *too* big?

Would Anglia be part of the new "Midlands" or grouped with "London", in your theory? Or possibly a bit of both? (e.g. Anglia "West" goes into the new "Midlands", whilst Anglia "East" is grouped with "London"? Or something)

The most believable one in your list would be "South West", born out of the current Plymouth and Bristol regions merging.

SMG would probably take over Border Scotland, running it as STV South.

I think we have to accept that there is no requirement for commercial companies such as ITV & SMG to operate a regional structure.

BBC, as the funded PSB, provide this function rather well IMO and should continue to do so.

I suspect ITV wish to end their entire regional obligations altogether, regardless of this half-hearted way of asking for it. The only real purpose for its existance is to separate the way they sell advertising - certainly not to provide an individual service for each franchise in terms of news and local interest programmes.

ITV have a reputation for making very bad commercial decisions. I thought better of Mr Grade, he should come clean and say that he means to abolish the regional requirement altogether.

ITV plc (as it exists now) is on the slippery slope to oblivion after DSO, no point gripping onto the sides on the way down or making excuses in an attempt explain what's happened.

I'm well aware of that. I was thinking more of merging or redesigning the smaller areas, they don't have to stick to franchise borders any more the only limit is transmitter configuration