CRR review could free ITV

It may have been a long time coming, but finally MPs are to look into the Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) regulations that place tough restrictions on the prices charged for advertising by ITV.

However while ITV’s hopes lie with the MPs deciding that these rules should be relaxed to allow ITV to charge a market price for advertising, it seems that the competition commission may have something to say about that.

All the signs are that a change is at hand, with ITV claiming that CRR is a dated and unnecessary restriction being placed on a business that is struggling to survive in a very tough industry.

CRR was brought in when several regional TV companies merged to produce what is now known as ITV.