ITV boss eyes up switching channels into pay-TV

Published on Sunday 22 November 2009 21:03

ITV's new chairman is understood to be considering charging viewers for some channels as part of an overhaul.

Archie Norman is thought to be mulling over a move into the pay-TV market as he prepares to take the reins early next year.

He is also believed to be planning a shake-up in the boardroom in the wake of the firm's protracted leadership crisis in which it struggled to replace Michael Grade, who is currently the executive chairman.

The former Conservative MP and ex-Asda boss, who will lead the search for a chief executive, is expected to cut the number of board members over time.

But the move to some pay-TV is thought to be on the cards in the near future as Norman looks to boost ITV, which has seen slumping advertising revenues in the recession.

The broadcaster's digital channels – ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 – could all be switched over from Freeview to subscription-only platforms, the reports said.

ITV reported a 105 million loss for the first half of the year.

Group revenues were 1.3 billion in the nine months to 30 September, against 1.47bn a year earlier.

Norman is also understood to be keen on remaining in both broadcasting and production and is thought to want to retain ITV Productions, which makes shows such as I'm A Celebrity and Coronation Street.