Media UK

ITC

Legacy regulator, the Independent Television Commission, took over responsibility from the IBA when it ceased to exist in 1991 for regulating television services that originate from the UK. An important function of the ITC was in 1992 to reaward the channel 3 (ITV) franchises based on the highest cash bid, although most noticably, the southern franchise previously held by TVS, but awarded to Meridian was done on other criteria.

Apart from awarding the channel 3 franchises, the ITC also awarded licenses for satellite/cable/digital channels and RSL services. The ITC also awarded cable franchises and awarded DTT multiplex licenses.

In 1992 the ITC re-advertised the 37W satellite position used by BSB and BSkyB to provide a ten channel DTH satellite service. However, there were no bidders, and the orbital slot remains vancant following the ITC stripping BSkyB of its licence to broadcast from the slot.

In December 2003, the ITC became part of Ofcom.