WLG Wireless Grp

 
TIDMUTV 
 
5 March 2012 
 
                                 UTV Media plc 
 
                           ("UTV" or the "Company") 
 
                UTV Signs New Network Arrangements With ITV plc 
 
UTV Media plc is pleased to announce that its Television division, UTV Limited 
has signed new network arrangements for the provision of Channel 3 programmes 
and services with ITV plc, subject to regulatory approval. 
 
The Network Affiliate Agreement (NAA) proposed by UTV and ITV plc to replace 
the current Networking Arrangements (NWA) wouldretain the essence of the NWA - 
a common coordinated pan-UK service capable of competing effectively with other 
national services - but has an updated structure which is consistent with the 
broadcasting, new media, technological and regulatory realities of Channel 3 
today. 
 
The new affiliate relationship between ITV plc and UTV would reflect the 
reality of ITV's role and responsibility as the principal driving force behind 
the Channel 3 schedule in terms of funding, acquisition and scheduling of 
content. UTV, as an affiliate of ITV plc, would purchase programme rights to 
the network schedule for an agreed fixed fee at the commencement date of the 
NAA. ITV plc will assume full responsibility for the actual costs of the 
network schedule. 
 
Further agreements in relation to the distribution of UTV channels on various 
platforms, new media programme rights, and a new national sales agreement with 
ITV plc have also been agreed, subject to the NAA receiving regulatory 
approval: 
 
  * A New Media Rights Agreement - grants UTV access to all ITV 1 programming 
    for use on the UTV Player in Northern Ireland. 
 
  * An Operational Agreement - will ensure the distribution of UTV HD on Sky 
    and freesat in Northern Ireland as well as the current service on Virgin 
    and when digital switchover takes place in October 2012 on Freeview. 
 
  * A new Sales Agreement means ITV plc will continue to handle UTV's national 
    advertising sales. 
 
If the new NAA is approved by Ofcom, these new agreements would run until the 
end of the current UTV licence in 2014 and any future licences awarded to UTV 
until 2024. 
 
John McCann, Chief Executive of UTV, commented: 
 
"We are delighted to agree new terms with ITV plc for the future provision of 
programming, transmission and sales services to UTV as the Channel 3 licence 
holder in Northern Ireland. 
 
"The proposed new agreements retain the strength offered by the original 
Channel 3 regional partnerships in the ITV Network but provide the flexibility 
required for public service broadcasters to operate more effectively in today's 
market on all platforms. 
 
"UTV is totally committed to providing Northern Ireland with quality public 
service programming in the future as we have for more than 50 years." 
 
Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of ITV plc, said: 
 
"We look forward to continuing our positive relationship with UTV 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." 
 
Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV Television said: 
 
"UTV is by far the most watched channel in Northern Ireland, delivering the 
best of ITV network programming with high quality news, current affairs and 
diverse regional programmes which reflect a modern Northern Ireland which is 
core to the channel's success. 
 
"We are especially pleased to plan the launch of UTV HD on both Sky and DTT by 
the end of this year, to complement the existing UTV HD service available to 
Virgin customers in Northern Ireland." 
 
                                    -Ends- 
 
For further information contact: 
 
UTV Media plc 
 
Michael Wilson 
 
Managing Director, Television 
 
+44 (0) 28 9026 2053 
 
 
 
Orla McKibbin 
 
Head of Communications 
 
+44 (0) 28 9026 2188 
 
Maitland PR 
 
Tom Buchanan / Rowan Brown 
 
+44 (0) 20 7379 5151 
 
 
 
END 
 

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