Good day for ITV

ITV will be pleased with today's announcement concerning the esoteric
CRR. It was felt to have been a price worth paying at the time of the Carlton/Granada merger. However, from day one they have been lobbying to have it changed. The mechanism was put in place to appease advertisers, and to some degree the other companies holding regional licences. An independent adjudicator was appointed to ensure fair play. Guidance states;
"The merger would enable ITV to combine its strengths. This has the potential to deliver important public benefits: a reinvigorated ITV will secure the future of the UK's leading commercial broadcaster for the benefit of all viewers and allow it to sustain its public service broadcasting obligations for the long-term."
The NUJ supports ITV's efforts to find a commercial model that's good for its staff and good for its business. However, this cannot be at the expense of its core public service function. There's a stock exchange announcement planned for September 12th. ITV has the potential to damage its own case significantly - if, as suspected, proposals to reduce the costs of regional and local news are announced.