By Chris Story

Published at 13:14, Saturday, 08 March 2008

AN MP fears ITV bosses want to scrap the very operation which could hold the key to transforming the broadcaster’s flagging financial fortunes.

Eric Martlew believes the firm should follow the model of city-based ITV Border and produce more regional programmes – instead of fewer – if it wants to drive up viewing figures and advertising profits.

The broadcaster this week announced a 35 per cent fall in profits to £188m, although viewing figures were said to be improving.

And executive chairman Michael Grade confirmed they would continue moves to merge Border’s news operation with that of Tyne Tees in Gateshead – killing off nightly news magazine Lookaround which focusses on Cumbria – as part of their “turnaround plan”.

Carlisle MP Mr Martlew, however, fears that would be a detrimental move – not only for viewers in Cumbria, southern Scotland and the Isle of Man, but for the ITV business.

He said: “I am pleased to see the number of viewers is going up. Michael Grade is saying things are getting better. Perhaps he could reconsider his proposals (for Border).

“I really think regional television should be based on the Border TV model. It should be local to the viewer because you get a higher percentage of the audience.This also allows them to attract local advertisers. There are local companies which may not be able to afford to advertise on Granada, but would on Border. More local advertisers would increase ITV’s revenue.”

Mr Martlew also warned that the final decision on whether Border’s news operation should be merged with Tyne Tees was down to broadcast industry regulator Ofcom – not ITV.

If the merger goes ahead, regional news for the Border region would be cut to a 10-minute mini programme as part of the main Tyne Tees bulletin.

Cash saved through the merger would be ploughed into new programmes for ITV, which Mr Grade said would better suit the public interest.

Jobs will go if the shake-up is cleared by Ofcom.

Mr Grade said: “We recognise that these plans will have implications in terms of regional staffing, but we believe that it is right to be open about our plans.

“Our plans would ensure that every home in the country retains access to a high-quality ITV regional news service from 2009, whilst maximising investment in original network programming, where the core public interest lies.”

He added that the news service on the itvlocal.com website would make up for any reduction in TV service.

The decision to axe Lookaround has met with huge local opposition from politicians, businesses and the public.

It has since emerged that an anonymous Cumbrian business consortium had bid up to £12m to buy the station and save Lookaround, but the offer had been rejected by ITV.

A public consultation on the plans will be launched by broadcast industry regulator Ofcom later this year.

A decision is expected by spring 2009.

Do your bit to save Lookaround. Sign the News & Star’s online petition at www.newsandstar.co.uk/border

CStory@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk