ITV

ITV has announced its Spring/Summer line-up on ITV1, featuring a factual led season underpinned by new entertainment and drama programmes.

Highlights include; brand new factual series Martin Clunes: A Man And His Dogs which sees Martin set off on a captivating, sometimes surreal, two-part adventure to discover the history of man’s best friend and Griff Rhys Jones paints a landmark portrait of three of the world’s greatest cities for a new three-part documentary in Griff Rhys Jones: Greatest Cities of the World.

7 March 2008

Hot on the heels of Fireback Entertainment’s Captain Mack, CITV has recommissioned two more shows and acquired a brand new animation.

After fantastic viewing figures, CITV’s top rated show Horrid Henry has been recommissioned for a second series. The grubbiest, cheekiest, grottiest boy in the world will be crashing back onto CITV for 52 episodes of self administered mayhem!

Produced by Lucinda Whiteley and Mike Watts at Novel Entertainment, Horrid Henry is now seen as an iconic CITV property. The new series will see Henry get up to more mischief and adventures as he unmasks an international stamp thief, saves the world from an alien invasion and tries to set a new world record. Look out too for a very special celebrity appearance as Henry’s most favourite author in the world, TJ Fizz.

6 March 2008

Following a review of its digital channel’s hours and capacity, ITV today announced it is to extend the broadcast hours of 2007 Channel of the Year ITV2.

With effect from 17th March 2008 ITV2 and ITV2+1 will be extending their broadcast hours to go 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Previously they aired between 09:25 and 06:00 and 10:25 and 07:00 respectively.

GMTV’s Action Stations currently broadcasts from 06.00 -09.25 on ITV2 and this move will see the service transfer to ITV4. The move will be cross-promoted on both ITV2 and the CiTV channel. Action Stations will continue to be simulcast on the CiTV channel between the hours of 06.00 – 09.25.

5 March 2008

Turnaround plan on track: ITV viewing increased and advertising revenues stabilised in 2007. ITV outperforming the market in 2008.

Financial summary
12 months to 31 December (£m) 2007 2006 Change %
Group revenue 2,082 2,181 (5)
Operating EBITA* 311 375 (17)
Profit before tax 188 288 (35)
Adjusted EPS** 5.0 6.3 (21)
Full year dividend 3.15 3.15 -
* Before exceptional items
** Before exceptional items, amortisation and tax adjustments

Operating summary
- Total viewing of ITV family of channels increased year-on-year for the first time since the early 1990s.

ITV
4 March 2008

ITV announced today that Harveys is to be the first advertiser to take advantage of ITV’s mobile vouchering service.

Launching at the end of February, the service allows Harveys, the fully integrated sponsor of Coronation Street, to send offers to its viewers via mobile which can then be redeemed in all its stores across the UK. The service and technology, created by mobile specialist Eagle Eye Solutions, is revolutionising the way that brands and retailers advertise and interact with their customers through ITV’s platforms.

The mobile discount will be advertised within Harveys’ dedicated sponsor area of Coronation Street’s interactive service (available in Satellite homes via the Red button). Viewers can text in to receive a unique 8-digit code to their mobile phones which is then redeemable in Harveys stores to activate their discount.

14 February 2008

ITV plc today announced the appointment of Patricia Wagstaff to a new role as the company’s first Director of Digital Productions.

Patricia joins from US network HBO where she was Vice President of Interactive Entertainment, responsible for leading the conception, creation and launch of new digital content across multiple distribution platforms for shows such as The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, Band of Brothers and Sex and the City.

Patricia will report directly into John Whiston, Director of ITV Productions (ITVP), part of ITV’s Global Content Division led by Managing Director Dawn Airey.

12 February 2008

The Advertising Association announced today that Rupert Howell has been elected Vice-Chairmen and Director. Managing Director of ITV Brand and Commercial since November 2007, Rupert will take up his new Advertising Association role with immediate effect.

Rupert secured his first job in advertising at the Ogilvy group in 1979. Two years later he joined Grey and then Young & Rubicam, where he became London’s most successful New Business Director. In October 1987 he founded his own agency, Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury, which was sold ten years later to Chime Communications plc and Rupert became Joint CEO. Rupert was also President of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising for 2000/2001.

In October 2003 Rupert joined the world’s largest advertising agency McCann Erickson as President EMEA and Chairman UK & Ireland Group, with a seat on the Worldwide Board. Two years later he added the title of Regional Director EMEA.

9 January 2008

ITV plc today announced the appointment of Peter Iacono as President and Managing Director of ITV Worldwide, which includes ITV’s international exploitation and ventures divisions.

He joins from Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group where he served as Acting President, International Features. ITV Worldwide is part of ITV’s Global Content Division, led by Managing Director Dawn Airey.

Dawn Airey said: “We’re delighted to be appointing someone of Peter’s calibre to this role. ITV has a great track record in selling formats and programming into other territories, whether it’s Dancing on Ice in Russia, Saturday Night Takeaway in China or the hundreds of millions of people who have seen Prime Suspect worldwide.

“There is a real demand for UK content at the moment and this role will be critical in ensuring that we exploit maximum value in global markets from our programmes, formats, licences and merchandising.”