ITV chases extra ad revenue with ITV1+1 channel

The Competition Commission today allowed ITV to launch an ITV1+1 version of its main channel to help the X Factor broadcaster improve ratings.

Time-shifted channels, which broadcast the same programmes one hour after the main channel, can increase advertising revenue significantly while requiring little investment. Regulators will also allow ITV to launch a high-definition channel, ITV1 HD.

The Competition Commission made the concessions as part of a review into Contract Rights Renewal, the regulations that impose limits on advertising rates on Britain's biggest terrestrial commercial channel ITV1.

But ITV said it was disappointed that regulators refuse to scrap CRR, saying there was an "overwhelming case for abolition" of what it called a "disproportionate remedy".

The Competition Commission says other options to CRR are not practical and it must be retained.