ITN retain licence for ITV news provision

The ITC have renewed ITN's nominated news provider (NNP) status for a further ten year period, beginning from the end of this year.
The application for NNP status was made in May and the ITC considered it against the requirements of the 1990 Broadcasting Act (amended by the 1996 Act). These include the requirement that the news provider for Channel 3 must be effectively equipped and adequately financed to provide the required high quality of national and international news.
Confirming the award, ITC Chairman Sir Robin Biggam said: "ITN's news services have justified their high reputation over the years and have certainly brought credit to ITV. The ITC regards the maintenance of high quality national and international news as an absolutely vital element in the delivery of statutory public service obligations placed on Channel 3. It is in the UK citizens' interests to maintain that quality and choice through a variety of television news services.
"We are, however, aware of increasing pressure on resources, and funding appears to the Commission to be extremely tight to deliver these objectives. The Commission will, therefore, continue to monitor news delivery on ITV closely in the period ahead and will look to a continued willingness on ITV's part to deliver additional funding as necessary, say, for significant or protracted international stories."
(GB)