ITV set to benefit from planned change in law

20th Sep 2015 11:27

(ShareCast News) - ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 are all set for a significant increase to their annual income thanks to plans for a change in the law that will mean Virgin Media is no longer able to carry the broadcasters' main channels for free.According to industry and Westminster sources cited by the Telegraph, the necessary legislation is currently being prepared and is set to be confirmed later this year.Under current rules, cable operators are exempt from paying for public service channels.It is understood the government is looking at its options for changing the law as soon as possible, the publication said.It comes after culture secretary John Whittingdale last week gave a speech to television executives during which he told them many of the respondents to the consultation on the issue had "argued that the policy rationale behind exempting cable platforms from having to pay copyright fees for the content they are carrying is no longer relevant".