ITC publishes programme supply review guidance notes

Following the request by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell for the Independent Television Commission (ITC) to undertake a review of the programme supply market, the ITC has published guidance notes on the consultation process.
The notes provide additional clarification and guidance on the information the ITC would welcome in submissions from interested parties to the review.
The aim of the review is to establish the facts about the overall economic health of the programme supply market, its likely future growth and to make an initial assessment of key issues and further challenges in the light of how the sector might respond to competitive developments in the broadcast market.
In addition to written submissions, the ITC will also hold two seminars for discussion of the key issues, which will be open to interested parties. They will be held in October under the aegis of a panel of senior experts. The ITC will also consult with the Board of OFCOM.
The findings will be available in late Autumn. The ITC will seek to provide an overview of the UK programme supply sector in the context of international development, offering preliminary conclusions on areas of concern and potential measures to address them. The review will provide a foundation for any Parliamentary decisions in relation to the Communications Bill and, if appropriate, further work by OFCOM and the competition authorities.
Written submissions to the consultation are requested by October 12, 2002 at the latest, although the ITC will welcome earlier responses.
(GB)