Following the recent ITV merger announcements Nick Harvey MP for North Devon says:

‘The proposals that the South West, England’s largest region with a population the size of Scotland, could be served by a merged ITV company based in Bristol, are categorically not something I can support. Since ITV’s announcement I have been lobbying Michael Grade Chairman of ITV and Ed Richards Chief Executive of the Office of Communication (Ofcom) calling for a rethink of these controversial plans.’

Ofcom reply to industry and public alarm is that any proposals to vary the minimum requirements set out in ITV’s regional licences, such as the volume of regional and sub regional news would require its permission. Ofcom’s response to Nick Harvey has been far from encouraging, Roger Lowry, Director of Public Relations, recently stated:

‘There will inevitably be an appropriate balance to be struck between what is desirable from our perspective as citizens and what we want public service broadcasting to deliver, and what is viable from an economic one. MPs, and others, will have an opportunity to bring Ofcom’s attention their views via a full consultation process.’

Nick comments:

‘From past experience I have little faith in industry regulators and I await Michael Grade’s response with interest. In the meantime everything is being done to ensure that we do not suffer from a degradation of ITV’s services in the South West as a result of these very unwelcome cost saving measures.’