Government may have power to lift CRR burden

The government has powers to intervene in ITV’s wrangle over its Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) burden with the Competition Commission, reports suggest.

Adam Crozier
Adam Crozier

The Competition Commission is currently considering comments on its final decision regarding CRR. It recently ruled that CRR will stay but suggested some amendments.

ITV opposes CRR and its effect on advertising revenues. The broadcaster says that it is hindering investment in programming.

According to the Financial Times, a senior government official has signalled that it has the power under the Interpretation Act 1978 to revoke the commission’s ruling without an act of Parliament.

The FT says that the chief whip in the House of Lords Lord Davies will now consider if it wants to sue that power.

It also reports that shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt says the Tory party would act to remove CRR if elected.

The issue of CRR is one of the priorities to be tackled by recently appointed ITV CEO Adam Crozier (pictured) when he takes up the position at the end of next month.