CARLTON RESTRUCTURES HTV PRODUCTION

CARLTON Television have announced plans to strengthen programme production at HTV, the ITV broadcaster for Wales and the West of England.
Carlton have said that while the overall effect of the restructuring plans will enhance HTV output for viewers in Wales, the West and on the ITV Network generally and result in 15 job opportunities, there will however be 28 posts lost.
While some jobs are to go at HTV, new positions are being created within the television group as Carlton restructures its support functions to enhance the company’s performance with the appointing of two new senior programmers at HTV as well as increases in some areas of production support.
HTV Managing Director, Jeremy Payne (pictured), said: "Joining Carlton will make us a stronger player in ITV and I’m confident we will grow our production base in Wales and the West of England. It’s regrettable that we should be losing people from HTV but we need to focus more on programme making."
Carlton bought HTV from Granada Media late last year and since then has been assessing how best to integrate the company with its other ITV franchises in the Midlands, London and the South-West.
The proposals include: Immediate investment by Carlton in HTV Wales drama being developed for the ITV Network and S4C; Additional support to help HTV West programme makers to expand production beyond the region with their colleagues in Wales and the South West of England under the direction of Carlton Productions Managing Director, Steve Hewlett; and the appointment of HTV’s Head of Programme Planning, Presentation and Promotions Sian Thomas to the new post of Head of Regional Programmes for HTV West.
Thomas will be directly responsible for the creative development and management of the HTV West licensed programme service working closely with Sandra Jones, Controller and Director of Regional Programmes.
Clive Jones, Chief Executive of Carlton Channels, said: "Carlton wants to build on HTV’s unique character and local strengths while ensuring it takes advantage of being part of a successful international media group."
Carlton have also announced a number of changes at HTV designed to enhance its performance and schedule.
HTV’s planning, promotion and presentation are to be fully integrated with Carlton’s own operation to support and enhance the on-screen look. The HTV branding will remain on-screen.
They also plan to co-ordinate and strengthen the quality of resources available to producers, Carlton West Country’s Controller of Engineering and Operations Mark Chaplin is to extend his role to take in HTV, both in Wales and the West of England. He will be supported by HTV Controller of Engineering Lionel Jones. A new position of HTV Head of Production Operations will be created.
HTV’s Controller of Finance Mark Davies has been appointed to the new position of Head of Broadcasting Finance for all Carlton’s ITV franchise operations in London, the Midlands, Wales, the West and South-West England.
HTV will take on more people to staff an IT Helpcentre to be established in Cardiff to service Carlton Television centres in London, the Midlands, the South-West, the West of England and Wales. (CD)