ITC softens ban on cable TV firms' deals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CABLE TELEVISION companies won a reprieve yesterday as the Independent Television Commission (ITC) watered down its proposals to stop them selling up to 40 channels at once in a "bundle", writes Andrew Verity.
The television regulator said it would ban deals which guaranteed that new customers were forced to buy a bundle of channels when signing up to a cable company. But it backed down on a crucial plan to extend the ban to existing deals.
The concession removes the threat of legal action against the ITC by Channel One and Live TV, two of the biggest broadcasters on cable, who complained a complete ban could put them out of business.
Richard Horwood, of Live TV, said: "This is great news for us and we are delighted. We now have contracts with pretty much all of the cable industry requiring them to distribute Live TV to 100 per cent of their viewers until 2005."
Some television companies are expected to take the ITC to a judicial review on the grounds that the regulator is exceeding its powers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments