ITC revokes ITV Digital's licence

LONDON - The Independent Television Commission is to revoke ITV Digital's pay-TV licence to broadcast channels such as Sky One, E4 and a host of subscription channels, which will leave ITV Digital viewers with just a handful of BBC and ITV channels.

In its statement, the ITC said it had informed the administrator that when pay services cease to be broadcast and the business no longer fulfils the terms of its licences it will revoke the licences and proceed to an accelerated re-tender.

ITV Digital's administrator Deloitte & Touche entered into talks with the ITC this week after announcing on Monday that it had failed to renegotiate the terms of a £315m contract with the Football League, which the broadcaster can not afford to pay.

Today, the accountancy firm announced that it had failed to secure additional funding for the broadcaster and that it would be put up for a short-term sale.

In its statement, the administrator said: "However, [the administrator] will discuss with the major suppliers of the company today their willingness to continue to provide services on a short-term basis while offers are invited for the business and assets. The aim of this process is to attempt to maximise the value of the assets on behalf of all of the company's creditors."

Deloitte is currently discussing with ITV Digital suppliers the possibility of continuing the service until a buyer for the business is found.

In the meantime, the commercial TV watchdog the ITC will revoke ITV Digital's licence to broadcast pay channels -- all those apart from the free-to-air public service channels such as BBC Choice and BBC4 -- and re-tender the contract.

The ITC expects the re-tender to take six weeks.

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