21 November 2012
UTV WELCOMES LICENCE RENEWAL ANNOUNCEMENT
UTV Media plc today welcomed the decision by the Secretary of
State for Culture, Media and Sport to renew its Channel 3 licence
for UTV in Northern Ireland which
will run from 1 January 2015 until
the end of 2024.
John McCann, Group Chief
Executive, UTV Media plc said:
"We are delighted that the Secretary of State has decided that
our licence should be renewed for another ten years.
"Today's announcement provides much needed clarity for the
Television division. It is wonderful news for our staff and our
business as it recognises the major role UTV plays in Northern Ireland life both as a broadcaster
reflecting what's happening onscreen and as a business providing
employment for staff, contractors and the creative industries.
"As a successful regional broadcaster, we are totally committed
to providing our audience with high quality public service
programming in the future as we have for more than 50 years.
"The commitment of our staff has never been stronger and the
quality of our regional output continues to enjoy the highest
ratings in the whole of the ITV Network."
Michael Wilson, Managing
Director, UTV Television Ltd said:
"Today's announcement recognises that Channel 3 remains as
important to viewers today as it was when it was first licenced in
1954. It enables UTV to plan for the future and to continue to
invest in the local economy in Northern
Ireland.
"Earlier this year we signed a new agreement with ITV plc to
ensure the ITV network arrangements were simplified and fit for the
digital world in which we all now operate. Today's announcement
ensures UTV can plan ahead to invest in further technology to
enable our content teams to deliver our programming on an
increasing number of platforms.
"We look forward to engaging with Ofcom on the terms of our
licence renewal and to providing our audience with the same high
standards of news, current affairs and programming that reflects
the people and issues of our region in the future."
Media Enquiries
Orla McKibbin, Head of Communications,
UTV Media plc +44 (0) 28 9026 2188
About UTV
UTV Media plc is one of the most successful media companies in
the UK and Ireland incorporating
Radio, Television, New Media and Publishing. UTV Television is the
ITV franchise holder for Northern
Ireland and has the highest TV penetration locally. UTV
Radio GB operates the no. 1 commercial national speech station -
talkSPORT, 13 Independent Local Radio Stations (ILRs) and a number
of digital radio multiplexes throughout GB. talkSPORT is Global
Audio Partner of the Barclays Premier League through to 2016 and
also incorporates Sport magazine. UTV Radio Ireland is the largest
operator of ILRs in Ireland. UTV
New Media comprises a leading Internet Service Provider, web
development company and full service digital agency.