ITV has applied to Ofcom to begin the process of renewing the Channel 3 nations and regions licences in England, Border Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as applying to renew the national Channel 3 breakfast licence, the broadcaster has announced.
Following the publication of the government’s Media Bill, culture minister Lucy Frazer noted that ITV and STV as current Channel 3 Licence holders continue to fulfil their core purposes as PSBs (Public Service Broadcasters) and communicated her decision to permit Ofcom to renew the licences.
ITV said it now has the confidence to apply for renewal of the Channel 3 licences, which will enable the company to continue to deliver its PSB contribution for the 10 year period from the end of 2024 when the current licences expire.
The broadcaster added that it intends to continue to operate “at the heart of national life under new PSB licences with a unique offering that is highly distinctive from any commercial competitor”.
Carolyn McCall, ITV’s chief executive said: “The new framework in the draft Media Bill will be fundamental to ITV’s future as a PSB. ITV is confident that the proposed reforms will give us the certainty to commit to renewing our Channel 3 licence in 2024 and to continue to deliver our public service provisions for a further 10 years and we would ask the government to urgently make available Parliamentary time for the legislation to be passed.”
