ITV increase programme budget

ITV have announced a 7% increase in ITV1's network programme budget for the financial year 2003/4.

Agreed by ITV shareholders, principally Carlton and Granada, the move follows the announcement last week by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry indicating that the big ITV two's proposed merger may proceed subject to the agreement of the terms of remedies with the Office of Fair Trading.

ITV1’s programme budget for the financial year to end September 2004 will be £849m, up from £792m for the equivalent period last year. ITV say the increase will see particular benefits for entertainment, comedy and factual genres, which will all receive higher budgets enabling them to maximise opportunities created by the move next year of ITV1’s late evening news to 10.30pm.

Drama will continue to play a key role in ITV1, with the network having delivered nine of the top ten new dramas on UK television this year. The budget increase secures ITV1’s significant investment in original drama, including a new 'Prime Suspect' to be screened this Autumn, a second series of hit WWI drama 'Foyle’s War' and 'Life Begins', from the creator of 'Cold Feet'. ITV1’s commitment to returning drama from around the regions of the UK, from 'Coronation Street' to 'Heartbeat' and 'Emmerdale', will also be maintained.

In entertainment and comedy new commissions will range from Ant & Dec’s hit 'Saturday Night Takeaway' to Nick Park’s acclaimed animated series 'Creature Comforts', Frank Skinner’s first sitcom 'Shane' and the massively popular reality series 'I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here'. In factual programming, ITV1 will screen 'Holiday Showdown', new from the makers of 'Wife Swap', landmark natural history series 'Jungle' and 'Titanic', an ambitious project using state of the art technology.

ITV1’s investment in free-to-air sport during the period will also be considerable, incorporating live coverage of the Rugby World Cup, football’s European Championships 2004, the UEFA Champions League and Formula One motor racing.

Charles Allen, Chief Executive designate, ITV plc said: “We have made clear our commitment to shaping a stronger ITV delivering high quality television to viewers and advertisers. With greater programme investment than any other commercial broadcaster in Europe, ITV1 has the resources to deliver a winning schedule for the future. This announcement is good news for ITV1’s commissioning team, for programme makers and particularly for our viewers.”

(GB)