ITV reaches 'positive' new deal with STV over networking

ITV has reached a new agreement with Scottish broadcaster STV over networking arrangements, ending 11 months of negotiations following a series of legal disputes.

Both parties have been in discussions since last April about redrawing the terms of the deal, which had been the subject of long-running disagreements over network programming rights.

The new agreement should have limited impact on viewers, and STV's local news and current affairs commitments remain unchanged, but the Scottish broadcaster has hailed the deal as "sensible" and "affordable" as it prepares for licence renewal in 2014.

The contract will see STV become an affiliate of the Channel 3 network, subject to regulatory approval from Ofcom.

STV said it was "confident that the new arrangements will deliver sustainable cost-sharing arrangements for the network and enable the continued delivery of high quality commercially sustainable public service broadcast services into the next licence period".

Chief executive Rob Woodward said in a release: "Today's announcement confirms the stability and certainty of long term, commercially sustainable networking arrangements between the Channel 3 licence holders.

"STV remains 100 per cent committed to its public service broadcasting credentials, to delivering a distinct schedule for Scotland and to providing a platform for informed debate.

"We are delighted to have reached agreement on a set of terms which will benefit our viewers and consumers across all distribution platforms."

ITV chief executive Adam Crozier added: "We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with STV under a new affiliate agreement. This agreement, which is still subject to regulatory approval, represents a major milestone for us as it consolidates and simplifies the ITV Network."

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