STV set to sue over ITV's broadcasts over the Border

Published on Friday 6 November 2009 21:20

A LEGAL battle between ITV and STV is set to escalate, after the Scottish broadcaster announced yesterday that it is planning to file additional claims over ITV's alleged "abuse of video-on-demand rights".

In September, ITV revealed it is suing STV for 38 million – a sum it claims it is owed after the latter chose to opt out of a string of programmes, such as The Bill and period drama Wuthering Heights.

STV has already said it intends to submit a "robust defence", which will include a counter-claim that ITV owes it 35m in unpaid advertising revenues. But the legal dispute is likely to grow more complicated, after STV told the markets yesterday that it is preparing yet more claims against ITV.

An STV spokesman would not provide further details, but sources close to the situation say the broadcaster is concerned Scottish viewers who subscribe to Virgin Media or BT Vision receive ITV, not STV services.

One source said: "ITV is operating in STV's territory."

No court date has yet been set for the case, but STV expects to have submitted its defence and counterclaim by 13 November.

STV chief executive Rob Woodward said: "We have explored numerous routes to engage with ITV, but we have been left with no choice but to seek protection through the courts, and we are confident that our position will be upheld."

STV said yesterday it is seeing "signs of stabilisation" in the advertising market.

Its update came a day after ITV revealed it is expecting a 4 per cent increase in ad revenue in December.

However, STV warned about further uncertainty next year. The company said: "Visibility remains low, and we will maintain a cautious approach."