Following the announcement last summer that regional news services are to be cut by 50% (from 17 to 9) Nick Harvey MP says:
‘Michael Grade, ITV’s Executive Chairman, has recently personally reiterated to me that he plans to merge Westcountry Live and The West Tonight. While it is proposed the new programme will serve local viewers in the Westcountry and West regions, I remain concerned to what level these will continue to be supported by journalists and camera crews which currently provide a news gathering presence at a local level.
In response to Nick’s representations about programming and staffing levels Michael Grade stated:
‘The current annual investment of some £120 million in regional programming is no longer sustainable and the status quo is simply not an option.
‘I hope you will understand that our proposals are at a very early stage in order to allow staff and other interested parties an opportunity to participate in the debate during the course of Ofcom’s forthcoming Public Service Broadcast review. This means that, at this stage, we have not finalised details on staffing and locations.’
Nick Harvey adds: ‘This is all well and good, but the worry remains with these types of exercises that the key financial decisions have already been made behind closed doors and that job losses and a degradation of service will be inevitable. I remain particularly opposed to the possible loss of the ITV Westcountry presence here in North Devon.’
Notes for Editors
ITV aims to save £35m-£40m a year, only the London, Granada and Wales regional services will be unaffected by the proposed changes. Nick Harvey MP has been in direct contact with ITV Westcountry, in addition ITV Westcountry’s Viewers Advisory Panel is lobbying the public and key personalities to resist the proposed merger.
The Terms of Reference for Ofcom’s second Public Service Broadcast were published on 11 September.
See http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2007/09/nr_20070911
Ofcom plans to examine ITV’s proposals as part of a broader review of public service television broadcasting, essentially how these will be delivered and funded. The Review will have three stages:
Phase 1 will examine the extent to which the public service broadcasters are currently meeting public services purposes, the issues facing them in future and will assess their likely ability to meet existing requirements. Ofcom intends to consult on its analysis in Spring 2008.
Phase 2, due for publication in Autumn 2008, will outline various policy options and recommendations and invite responses.
Finally, Ofcom will publish a final statement in early 2009 which will include a summary of consultation responses and report any new findings.
For further information contact: Roger Lowry, Director of Public Relations, Office of Communications, Tel: 0207 981 3000 or 3043
