ITV2,ITV3,ITV4 to go subscription rumours again

[satandpcguy]

ITV2,3,4 to go subscription rumours again....

With the arrival at ITV of a new chief executive, Adam Crozier, ITV are again considering the possibility of a pay-per-view package for ITV 2, 3 and 4 among a range of options as the company benefits from a slowly improving economic climate.

Sources close to the broadcaster said the pair would consider the subscription model in a wide-ranging "anything goes" review in which "nothing will be ruled out", particularly in light of last week's strong first half revenues from satellite broadcaster BSkyB in which first-half revenues rose 10pc year and saw it move closer to achieving a target of 10m subscribers by the end of 2010.

Sources said ITV1 would remain a free-to-air channel. The recent high ratings of up to 15m for shows such as The X Factor and Coronation Street suggested the flagship channel will remain in its present guise.

BUt with sub schannels ITV2 ITV3 and ITV4 would become part of a Sky TV subscription package. This allows the channel to earn some revenue from a percentage of the subscription charge.

These rumours first emerge over a year ago, and have again resurfaced with Adam Croziers appointment.

[satandpcguy]

New ITV chairman Archie Norman says he thinks it very likely that ITV will return to pay television.
Mr Norman said he would wait until his newly appointed CEO Adam Crozier starts work a month from now on April 26 before any firm decisions are taken, but Norman told a London newspaper: "As people consume their television off different platforms — internet-enabled TV or off your iPad — for some of the content that ITV own or others own, people will pay."