Ofcom: ITV needs more PSB freedom
- Published: 17 July 2008 12:45
- Author: Chris Curtis
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- Last Updated: 17 July 2008 13:27
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Ofcom chairman David Currie has kicked off the next phase of the PSB debate by giving a clear indication that ITV will have its PSB requirements reduced.
Speaking today at the London Business School, Currie said it was "beyond doubt" that the value of the benefits ITV receives as a PSB was dropping rapidly, and that "the point at which the costs of the public service obligations exceed the benefits will occur well before 2014".
Currie said "Political wishful thinking will not change those facts. But that penny has not dropped until now, and not just in relation to ITV but to the advertiser funded broadcasters as a whole."
"People confuse 'Ofcom the messenger' with the message. They assert we are 'letting ITV off' or have been hoodwinked. Far from it. We would be delighted if the numbers looked different. But they don't. The current down-turn will accentuate the pressures."
"We need a clear-sighted view of what the public policy priorities are in relation to ITV. Whatever the future compact, it will need to be much more limited, explicit and transparent than hitherto."
The speech will be welcomed by ITV, which has been lobbying Ofcom for more freedom from its PSB requirements.
