Regional fears for merged ITV

BECTU has voiced concerns about loss of local programming if Carlton and United Media merge.

The planned merger was approved today (July 14) by Trade & Industry Secretary Stephen Byers, who also gave the green light for Granada Media to bid for either company.

If the Carlton/United merger goes ahead, rationalisation of the new company could threaten local newsrooms and regional programming.

Senior management of Carlton and United News and Media have already held preliminary discussions with BECTU, and acknowledged that full negotiations will be necessary on the staffing implications of the merger.

Staff in smaller companies like Anglia and West Country, are particularly worried that their local identity may be submerged in the new company.

In today's government announcement, Byers also indicated that there would be no obstacle to Granada bidding for either of the companies in the merger.

Granada had earlier announced its intention to mount a takeover of one of them in its bid to become the dominant force in the ITV network.

The next few weeks will see a frenzy of boardroom activity in ITV, as companies jostle for a place in the reorganised Channel 3 that will emerge by the end of the year.