ITV agrees Pact deal on new media rights

Published Monday 19 June 2006 at 11:40 by Liz Thomas

ITV is the latest broadcaster to secure a new media rights agreement with producers’ trade association Pact.

The agreement will give the broadcaster a 30-day window in which to air programmes and across platforms, which means it can also show programmes on mobile phones and the internet within the time frame.

Audiences will also be able to catch up on any episodes of series such as Doc Martin or Life Begins but only during its run.

The network has pledged to invest in funding for new programmes and has said there is the possibility of it putting in development money upfront.

Channel 4 and the BBC have already negotiated new media rights deals with Pact, leaving Five the only broadcaster yet to do so, although the two parties are understood to be close to finalising an agreement.

A statement from media regulator Ofcom said: “The broadcasters and Pact will begin incorporating these outline agreements into their overarching terms of trade, with a view to commissioning programmes under the new terms later this year. The new arrangements will be subject to review by the parties in two to three years’ time.”