SMG BID TO RETAIN ITV FRANCHISES

SMG, Scotland’s largest media company, have confirmed they will submit applications to the ITC to retain their two ITV franchises.
However, SMG will wait until the submission deadline, September 29, to prevent leaks of their new 10-year business plan.
Once they have confirmed their interest to the ITC, SMG must wait to receive details of the ITC’s terms, which are not subject to negotiation. SMG then has until March 15, 2001 to accept or decline those terms. The new franchise licences will run for 10 years from April 1 2001.
Based on past renewals, the ITC’s terms will likely mean an increased fee for the licences. The ITC and SMG declined to comment on possible figures.
SMG currently operate Scottish Television and Grampian Television, making them the largest television provider in Scotland.