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ITV

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FY2009 Annual Report · ITV
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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

Contents

Financial summary 
Chairman’s statement 
About us  
2009 at a glance 

Directors’ report

Business review
Operating review 
Stakeholders 
Risks and uncertainties  
Key performance indicators 
Financial review 
Governance
Board of Directors  
Corporate Governance  
Audit Committee report 
Remuneration report  
Other governance and statutory disclosures 

Financial statements

01
02
04
06

08
27
30
32
34

44
46
50
53
62

63
Statement of directors’ responsibilities 
64
Independent auditor’s report 
65
Consolidated income statement 
66
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
67
Consolidated statement of financial position  
68
Consolidated statement of changes in equity  
70
Consolidated statement of cash flows  
71
Notes to the accounts  
ITV plc Company Financial Statements  
108
Notes to the ITV plc Company Financial Statements  109

Other information

Shareholder information  
Glossary of terms 
Financial record  

113
115
116

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  

01

Financial summary

Group revenues of £1,879m 2008: £2,029m
EBITA before exceptional items of £202m 2008: £211m
Adjusted cash flow of £358m* 2008: £158m
Profit before tax of £25m 2008: Loss before tax of £2,732m
Earnings per share of 2.3p 2008: Loss per share of 65.9p
Adjusted earnings per share of 1.8p* 2008: 1.8p
Net debt of £612m 2008: £730m

* See definitions on page 32. 

ITV’s Business review
The Business review explains in detail how we have 
performed this year and sets out a fair review of the 
business, balanced and comprehensive analysis of our 
performance, the use of financial and non-financial key 
performance indicators to explain how much progress 
we have made, a description of the principal risks and 
uncertainties facing the Company, and an indication 
of likely future developments.

The Business review is prepared in line with the relevant 
provisions of the Companies Act 2006. In preparing the 
Business review the Company has had regard to the 
guidance issued by the Accounting Standards Board in its 
Reporting Statement on narrative reporting. The Business 
review is intended to provide shareholders with a greater 
understanding of the Company, of its position in the 
markets within which it operates, and of its prospects.

In setting out the Company’s main risks and uncertainties, 
an indication of likely future developments, and in other 
content, this report and accounts contains statements 
which, by their nature, cannot be considered indications 
of likelihood or certainty. The statements are based on 
the knowledge and information available at the date of 
preparation of the Business review, and what are believed 
to be reasonable judgements. A wide range of factors may 
cause the actual outcomes and results to differ materially 
from those contained within, or implied by, these various 
forward-looking statements. Nor should any of these 
statements be construed as a profit forecast.

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

02

Chairman’s statement

Dear Shareholder

I am delighted to have joined ITV as Chairman on 1 January 
2010. Whilst the business faces many difficult challenges, it 
remains an exciting place to work with a unique role in national 
life. Its revitalisation is important, not just to shareholders, 
but to millions of viewers across the country. My objective is to 
work with the executive team to transform the Company so as 
to enable it to prosper in a rapidly changing media landscape.

Progress in 2009
ITV came through a very challenging year in 2009. Not only 
was it the worst television advertising recession on record, 
but the difficulties of the leadership succession provided a 
distracting context for the business and the executive team. 

Against this background, ITV delivered a remarkably resilient 
performance, very much as a result of decisive management 
action to reduce costs and strengthen the balance sheet. 
As a consequence, the business avoided a serious liquidity 
crisis and EBITA before exceptional items fell only marginally. 
Adjusted cash flow increased by £200 million and net debt 
reduced by over £100 million. ITV’s debt repayments have 
been rescheduled and its pension scheme liabilities have 
been stabilised. In the light of the continuing economic 
uncertainty, the Board is not proposing payment of a final 
dividend. However, financially we now have a more stable 
platform from which to address the challenges ahead. 

In response to the advertising downturn, the programme 
budget was cut by over £100 million. Nonetheless, ITV ended 
the year with a strong schedule performance. Although ITV1 
continued to lose audience share, the ITV channel family held 
its share overall. There were some significant programming 
successes, notably The X Factor, but also Law & Order: UK, 
Whitechapel, Dancing on Ice, and Britain’s Got Talent. 
Both our valuable long-running soaps, Coronation Street 
and Emmerdale, remain in good health. Such programming 
success is critical to sustaining ITV’s share of the free-to-air 
advertising market.

Our content business, ITV Studios, held profits, with increased 
international production offsetting a decline in the UK business. 
Internal ITV commissions in particular came under some 
pressure, as the ITV1 programming budget was reduced. 
Nevertheless, ITV Studios is making progress with its third party 
business and remains a hive of creative talent. 

Overall therefore, ITV has weathered the storm. The business 
has a manageable balance sheet, a strong brand and a talented 
broadcasting and creative team.

Future challenges
Against this recent context, it is clear that ITV now faces an 
imperative for change. The traditional free-to-air advertising-
fuelled television model will see long-term decline in share of 
viewing and share of UK media revenues. To secure and grow 
shareholder value, we need to ensure we use the extraordinary 
talent base of ITV to compete, not only in conventional 
broadcasting, but also as a developer and exploiter of content 
across multiple platforms in the UK and internationally. 
Seizing the opportunities ahead will require changes to ITV’s 
organisation, systems, people and culture. 

Our first challenge will be to sustain the creative and commercial 
health of our free-to-air broadcast business. In doing so, we face 
intense competition from the BBC, whose taxpayer-funded 
revenue has been unaffected by the economic downturn, and 
from BSkyB, whose satellite platform continues to grow and, 
as it does so, erode the share of traditional free-to-air viewing.

The rapid development of digital media means that the British 
public will increasingly view television through the internet, via 
internet-enabled television, personal computers and mobile 
devices. ITV currently has a small share of online video, lagging 
behind our competitors. Furthermore new competitors, such 
as Google, are strongly positioned to play a leading role, 
potentially displacing broadcasters as the initial point of access.

As the market for content globalises and rights ownership 
becomes a more important part of the value chain, the 
integrated broadcaster-producer model should be a source 
of competitive advantage. However, ITV Studios, our content 
creation and distribution business, has lost market share, 
both within ITV and the wider UK market, partly as a result of 
reduced internal commissions. Restoring growth at ITV Studios 
and reinvesting in talent is a vital part of our future.

Finally, despite successive reviews by the Government and 
Ofcom, ITV remains one of Britain’s most heavily regulated 
businesses. Consequently our freedom to operate is severely 
limited, in particular compared to our new media competitors. 
The adverse impact on the profitability of all free-to-air 
broadcasters is resulting in declining investment in UK content 
with serious implications for Britain’s creative industries.

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Chairman’s statement

03

Archie Norman 
Chairman

Outlook
In my short time at ITV, I have met many highly talented 
people at all levels of the organisation. There is a shared 
recognition that the business will need to change substantially 
going forward if we are to return to sustained growth. In the 
coming months we will outline in more detail the outcome 
of our current strategic review and the journey ahead. 
Whilst this new phase in the development of ITV is going 
to be a challenging one, we enter it with a vibrant pipeline 
of programmes, a very strong brand and a talented team. 
Ours is a people business and, with the right people, culture, 
motivation and leadership, the future of ITV will lie in our 
own hands.

Archie Norman

Platform for change
The task therefore for the new management team at ITV is to 
take advantage of the opportunity last year’s changes have 
created and to address resolutely the challenges ahead. I am 
therefore delighted that Adam Crozier will be joining from 
Royal Mail Group as Chief Executive shortly. Adam has an 
outstanding track record of transformational management, 
has worked successfully with creative and media talent, and 
has long experience of dealing with regulators and government.

As we embark on this journey, we inherit a platform for 
change created out of the fire of recession by my predecessor, 
Michael Grade, and by John Cresswell, the Interim Chief 
Executive. Michael has been an iconic figure at the helm of ITV 
and handed over a business with a spring once more in its step. 
He arrived at a very difficult time for ITV and leaves a business 
strengthened in many respects. Throughout, John Cresswell 
has provided calm and strong leadership. We are grateful 
to them both.

Since my arrival we have moved to streamline the Board 
to prepare for the journey ahead and to create a strong 
and very engaged team. As a result some very distinguished 
non-executive directors have stood down. These include 
our Deputy Chairman, Sir George Russell, who made a 
substantial contribution to ITV from the days of the merger. 
Sir James Crosby played an important role as ITV’s Senior 
Independent Director, a position which has now been taken 
on by Mike Clasper. Agnès Touraine and Heather Killen also 
stood down from the Board towards the end of the year. 
I would like to thank them all for their contribution.

Adam Crozier
Adam Crozier will join ITV as Chief Executive on 26 April 2010.
Adam joins ITV from Royal Mail Group, where he has been Group Chief Executive since 2003, 
leading the modernisation of the group, transforming it from a heavily loss making position 
to profi tability and reducing the cost base by £1.5 billion. 
From 2000 to 2002, Adam was Chief Executive at The Football Association. During his time 
at the FA, turnover doubled and fi nancing for the new Wembley Stadium was secured. 
Between 1995 and 1999, Adam was Joint Chief Executive of Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, 
which he had joined in 1988. 
Adam is a non-executive director of Debenhams plc; a non-executive director of Camelot 
Group plc; and Chairman of the Employers’ Forum for Disability. Adam Crozier is 46 and holds 
a BA in Business Organisation from Heriot Watt University.

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

04

About us

ITV operates a family of UK television channels, 
including ITV1, and delivers programmes online via 
itv.com and ITV Player. ITV Studios produces and 
distributes programmes in the UK and worldwide. 

Broadcasting & Online

ITV Broadcasting operates ITV’s family of 
channels: ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV. 

ITV1 is the largest commercial television 
channel in the UK in terms of both audience 
share and advertising revenues. In peak 
viewing time, ITV1 attracts the largest 
audience of any UK broadcaster, including 
BBC1. ITV’s digital channels are available 
on all multi-channel platforms and continue 
to grow their audiences year-on-year.

Across its channels, ITV invests around 
£1 billion each year in network and regional 
programming, with the majority spent 
on original UK production. 

ITV’s channels are delivered free of charge 
to consumers, funded by advertising 
and sponsorship revenues, which totalled 
£1,350 million in 2009. 

ITV’s broadcast assets include the multiplex 
operator SDN, which leases out digital 
terrestrial capacity to channel operators on 
the UK’s largest broadcast platform, Freeview. 

ITV’s online operations include itv.com and 
video on demand services on cable television 
and other ‘closed’ platforms. itv.com delivers 
ITV programming and clips to internet users 
via ITV Player, funded by online advertising 
and sponsorship. 

Online revenues, primarily from online 
display and video advertising, and including 
Friends Reunited, totalled £37 million in 2009. 
More on page 18 k

ITV plc revenues: £1.9 billion 

ITV share of commercial viewing: 36.9%

ITV Studios

Broadcasting & Online

ITV plc EBITA: £202 million* 

ITV Studios

Broadcasting & Online

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

*Before exceptional items.

ITV channels

C4 channels Sky channels Five channels

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  About us

05

ITV Studios

ITV Studios produces programming for 
ITV’s own channels and for other UK and 
international broadcasters. ITV Studios 
also distributes programming, formats 
and merchandising in the UK and 
worldwide on multiple platforms. 
ITV Studios makes more original programming 
for ITV than any other producer, including 
five of the top ten titles on ITV1 in 2009. 
In addition, ITV Studios produces programmes 
for the BBC, Channel 4, Five, Sky and other 
UK broadcasters. 

ITV Studios has a growing portfolio of 
international production offices around 
the world, including in the US, Germany, 
Australia, Sweden, Spain and France. 
In 2009, revenues from international 
production were £138 million. 

ITV Studios Global Entertainment is 
ITV’s international distribution, home 
entertainment, publishing, merchandising 
and licensing business with offices in 
London, Cologne, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, 
Rio de Janeiro and Sydney. 
With over 35,000 hours of original and 
formatted programming from ITV Studios 
and leading independent producers, Global 
Entertainment distributes programmes to 
broadcasters in 240 territories worldwide.

ITV Studios external revenues in 2009 
totalled £335 million with an additional 
£262 million of revenues from sales of 
programming to ITV. 
More on page 24 k

ITV employees at year end: 4,026

ITV Studios revenues: £597 million

Broadcasting & Online: 2,375

ITV Studios: 1,651

£400m

£300m

£200m

£100m

£0m

£335m

£262m

Programmes made for ITV

External revenues

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

06

2009 at a glance

 ITV’s priorities in 2009 were to strengthen the 
balance sheet by focusing on cash; to deliver 
substantial cost savings; and to maintain operational 
progress across the core business. 

January

February

March

April

May

June

Cash and financial position

Scheduled debt 
repayments to 
2014 of around 
£700m

Secured ten-year 
loan of £50m

Repaid £250m 
bond and drew 
down £125m 
covenant free loan

Raised over £50m 
via bond tap 
extending existing 
2015 bond

Reduced 2011 
repayment by 
around £200m via 
bond exchange 

Cost savings

£40m per annum 
savings delivered 
over 2006–08

PSB review 
confirms ITV plan 
to reduce regional 
costs by £40m

£155m cost saving 
target set for 2009, 
including on and 
off-screen savings

Core business
Broadcasting & Online

Digital Britain 
report confirms 
scope for further 
savings in 
regional news

Winter drama 
launches include 
Law & Order: UK, 
Whitechapel and 
Above Suspicion

ITV Player 
launches on Virgin 
Media television 
platform

Freesat sells over 
300,000 receivers

Third series of 
Britain’s Got 
Talent launches 
and becomes the 
most successful 
series to date

Best ever month 
on itv.com with 
12.8m unique 
users and 50m 
video views

ITV2 overtakes 
Five in terms of 
volumes with 
younger audiences

ITV Studios

Coronation Street 
reaches its 7,000th 
episode and 
remains top rating 
UK soap

Come Dine With 
Me commissioned 
for a further series 
by Channel 4 

Peak audience of 
12.4m viewers 
watch the final of 
Dancing on Ice

Fox announce I’m 
A Celebrity USA 
line up, format 
later sells to 
Sweden and India

Entertainment 
pilots, The Chase 
and The Fuse air 
on ITV1

Talkin’ ’Bout Your 
Generation 
launches in 
Australia as the 
highest rating 
comedy series 
premiere ever 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  2009 at a glance

07

July

August

September

October 

November 

December

Reduction in 
programme stock 
drives £100m 
working capital 
gain over first half

ITV announces sale 
of Friends 
Reunited subject 
to regulatory 
clearance

Consultation on 
pension initiatives 
to reduce deficit 
by around £100m 

Launch of 
convertible bond 
which raised 
£135m

Over £100m 
of borrowings 
repaid early

Repayments to 
2014 reduced by 
£371m to £324m 
over the course 
of 2009

Ofcom consult on 
review of ITV 
licence payments

Government 
confirms Digital 
Economy Bill to 
address financing 
for ITV regional 
news

Targeted savings 
delivered and 
headcount 
reduced by 
over 1,200 

ITV1 schedule 
changes, with soap 
moves and 
Wednesday night 
football

The X Factor 
returns for its most 
successful series 
with the final 
peaking at 19.3m 
viewers

A peak of 9.8m 
watch England 
qualify for the 
World Cup in 2010

ITV News 
announces 
relaunch, with 
2009 ratings up 
6% on 2008

ITV secures full 
ownership of 
breakfast franchise 
GMTV

Project Canvas 
receives provisional 
approval from 
the BBC Trust

Hell’s Kitchen USA 
returns for sixth 
season on Fox and 
now watched in 
over 90 territories

Four Weddings 
sold to Germany 
and US, following 
UK run on Living

This Morning 
relaunches on ITV1 
and online with 
ratings up 8% 

ITV Studios 
launches in Spain 
with France 
to follow 

The Prisoner airs 
on AMC in the US, 
ahead of ITV 
launch in 2010

Ninth series of 
I’m A Celebrity UK 
peaks with 
11.5m viewers

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

08

Operating review

The UK television advertising market experienced 
record declines across 2009. We executed a concerted 
response which ensured that ITV entered 2010 as a 
leaner, fitter business, with a stronger balance sheet. 

2009 was a very challenging year for ITV. UK television 
advertising revenues fell by 9% in the final quarter of 2008 
and weakened further across the first half of 2009, with ITV 
advertising revenues falling by 15%. Such was the level of 
market uncertainty, even then we could not be confident 
that we were at the bottom of the downturn. 

Given our high levels of financial and operational gearing, 
ITV rapidly put in place an action plan, with three 
over-arching priorities.

First and foremost, we needed to stabilise the finances of the 
business to ensure that we could weather the economic storm. 

Secondly, we needed to reduce our costs. We set out plans 
to deliver savings in 2009 equivalent to 9% of our cost base. 

Thirdly – and crucially – we were determined to maintain the 
progress the business was starting to make. Cutting investment 
or making savings by undermining ITV’s long-term health 
would represent a false economy for our shareholders. 

A year on, with some greater stability in the market, we have 
delivered tangible progress against each of these objectives. 

Cash and the balance sheet
With television advertising accounting for almost 70% of ITV 
revenue, we had to work hard to ensure that the downturn 
did not put undue pressure on cash and debt levels. 

Whilst our EBITA before exceptional items reduced slightly, 
we managed stock levels tightly and increased our adjusted 
cash flow by £200 million. As a result, we reduced our net debt 
by over £100 million at the year end.

We have also ensured that our debt is repayable over a longer 
timeframe. We raised around £250 million of new borrowings 
repayable over five to ten years, including a convertible bond. 
We reduced our 2011 debt repayment by nearly 90%. All our 
debt is covenant free and cash on the balance sheet is 
sufficient to cover all repayments to 2015. 

Whilst the immediate funding pressure has been reduced, 
challenges remain. The pension deficit has increased, reflecting 
actuarial changes. We are actively managing this risk, reducing 
liabilities by £110 million through benefit changes. The next 
major funding valuation is due in 2011.

Further details on the action we have taken to strengthen 
the balance sheet are set out in the Financial review. 

Cost savings
Across the three years to the end of 2008, ITV delivered 
£40 million in cost savings. In the face of the economic 
downturn, we committed to new savings of a different 
order of magnitude, with a target of £155 million for 2009. 

There are three elements to this cost reduction: regional 
programming; network programming; and efficiencies 
off-screen.

In regional programming, we reduced costs by £44 million. 
We did this whilst maintaining service quality by simplifying 
the regional map and reducing non-news output, both with 
regulatory consent. Further regional savings may be deliverable 
over time given the political consensus that the cost of our 
licence commitments need to return to balance with reducing 
licence benefits. Additional savings such further deregulation 
would yield are not included in our savings targets. 

We reduced network programming costs by £75 million during 
the year. Our investment in original programming remained 
substantial at £540 million, but reduced year-on-year by 
almost £70 million. Nonetheless, ITV1 performed well, reducing 
share of commercial impact decline compared to 2008 and 
launching a number of successful new series, including Law & 
Order: UK, The Cube, Above Suspicion and Whitechapel. 

Off-screen we delivered £50 million of savings. Staff headcount 
was reduced by over 1,200 posts and we closed operations where 
further investment could no longer be justified. We have also 
simplified our structure by integrating our Online business with 
Broadcasting. We are seeking to dispose of the joint venture 
Screenvision US and have agreed to sell Friends Reunited, subject 
to final regulatory approval.

In total across 2009, we exceeded our target and delivered 
£169 million in savings. These savings have protected our 
profits in the face of revenue decline, but have also funded 
important investments, including high definition, video on 
demand and other emerging platforms and services, which will 
continue into 2010. 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

09

Core operating performance
In 2008 ITV held its share of audience and advertising, 
whilst establishing its online video proposition and growing 
its international production revenues. As important as it 
was to reduce our cost base and to stabilise our finances, 
we were determined to maintain this operational momentum 
into 2009. 

In fact, with our focus on delivery unwavering, we succeeded 
in delivering further progress during the year across all of 
our key business areas. 

As well as holding our audience share once again, we increased 
our share in peak viewing hours. We started to win back share 
of the television advertising market from our competitors. 
Online viewing of catch-up programming and clips started to 
achieve consistent scale, driving revenue growth. 

Our studios business continued to grow its external revenues, 
leveraging successful UK productions overseas, and – in a tough 
market context – held its profits year-on-year. 

Further details of the operating progress made in 2009 are 
set out over the following pages. 

2010 and beyond
As set out in the Forward look on page 26, 2010 will be another 
challenging year for ITV. But we are focused on delivering 
further progress against our stated priorities. 

In terms of our core operating performance, we will seek to 
continue to hold our broadcast audiences and advertising 
market share, whilst building our online reach. The breadth 
of our service offering will increase with the planned launch 
of an ITV1 HD service and ITV1+1, and continuing progress 
towards bringing the Project Canvas video on demand service 
to market. Our ITV Studios business has secured an extended 
pilot deal with ITV channels and will look to leverage its UK 
successes in the international market. 

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John Cresswell 
Interim Chief Executive

With respect to cash and the balance sheet, we will look to 
maintain profit to cash conversion in excess of 90% on a rolling 
three year basis. We will continue to manage our balance 
sheet and our interest costs, whilst seeking to further de-risk 
the pension liability. 

We are continuing to keep a tight rein on costs, with the 
review of licence payments and the next stage of regional 
news reform offering further potential upside. 

But whilst we have made progress and are clear on our 
short-term priorities, the business continues to face some 
considerable challenges over the longer term. 

Whilst we are seeing year-on-year growth in the market in 
early 2010, the outlook for UK television advertising remains 
uncertain. ITV needs to look to protect its performance and 
profits from the impact of advertising volatility by developing 
alternative revenue streams. Online, we need to be exploiting 
fully our deep programming archive, as well as catch-up and 
clips. ITV Studios needs to deliver successful new international 
formats, which will drive margin improvement alongside 
revenue growth. 

Such issues are being addressed in a strategic review which 
is now underway. In the meantime, with a strong operating 
performance, a lighter cost base and a number of key 
commercial rivals under pressure, ITV is well positioned to 
take full advantage if the stabilisation in the market continues 
and we start to see a sustained economic recovery. 

I am confident that the progress we have delivered over the 
past year – in an unforgiving market context – means that ITV 
is a leaner and fitter business in early 2010 than it was going 
into the downturn in late 2008. ITV now has a stronger 
platform to effect what will need to be an even more radical 
transformation of the business over the next several years. 

John Cresswell

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

10

x   Joanna Lumley: Catwoman

x  Whitechapel

ITV1

ITV1

x  Emmerdale
x ITV1

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review 

11

x   Britain’s Got Talent

ITV1

Britain’s Got Talent final attracted 
an audience of 20 million viewers

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

12

x   What Katie Did Next

ITV2

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review 

13

x  The Xtra Factor

ITV2

x   Tour de France

ITV4

x  Ladies of Letters
x ITV3

£1 billion invested in programming 
across the ITV family of channels

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

14

x  England World Cup qualifi ers 

150% rise in itv.com video views year-on-year

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review 

15

x  This Morning

x  Dancing on Ice

x  Coronation Street
x

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

16

x  The Prisoner
ITV1/AMC

x   Hell’s Kitchen USA 

Fox

ITV Studios Global Entertainment represents 
35,000 hours of content

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review 

17

x  Kändisdjungeln 
TV4, Sweden

x Popstar to Operastar

ITV1

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

18

Broadcasting & Online

In a tough market, ITV’s channels outperformed their 
commercial competition in terms of viewing and 
advertising share. ITV’s core online service, itv.com, 
grew its users, video views and revenues. 

UK advertising came under considerable pressure during 2009, 
with total revenues declining by 13%. Total UK television 
advertising revenues declined by around 11%, slightly increasing 
their share of the total advertising market to around 24%. 
Growth in UK online advertising revenues was more muted than 
recent years at around 3%. Nonetheless online advertising now 
accounts for nearly a quarter of total UK advertising spend. 

ITV’s outperformance in revenue terms across 2009 reflected 
a positive negotiating round with advertisers, after ITV held 
its viewing share across all its channels in 2008. In addition, 
ITV was well positioned to compete for late monies as ITV’s 
channels again held their viewing share in 2009. In peak 
viewing hours, ITV’s channels actually increased their share 
from 27.8% in 2008 to 28.2% in 2009.

ITV outperformed the wider television advertising market 
significantly over 2009. As a result, although ITV’s television 
advertising revenues declined by 9%, ITV’s share of the total 
market increased from 43.8% in 2008 to 44.7%. This increase 
followed ITV holding its market share year-on-year for the 
first time in over two decades in 2008. 

Across the year, there was considerable market volatility. 
Over the first half, ITV net advertising revenue (NAR) was 
down 15%, with year-on-year decline easing to 11% in the 
third quarter. In the final quarter ITV NAR actually increased 
year-on-year, with revenues in December up by 14%. 

Quarterly change in net television advertising revenues 

10%

0%

–10%

–20%

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

UK TV advertising market

ITV channels

This increase in peak share was delivered despite the continuing 
pressure on ITV1 viewing from rising digital penetration. 
During the year around 1.2 million UK homes converted 
to digital multichannel. Three UK regions – the Borders, the 
West Country and the North West – completed their transition 
to digital, with analogue transmission ceasing. Across the UK, 
by the end of 2009, around 95% of viewers were in multichannel 
homes, with the remaining 5% due to convert by the conclusion 
of switchover in 2012. 

The main terrestrial channels, including ITV1, experience 
viewing share decline as homes convert to multichannel. 
However, this effect is easing as the UK approaches 100% digital 
penetration. Since 2006, growth in viewing to ITV’s digital 
channels has offset decline in ITV1 viewing share. 

Of the different television platforms available to viewers, digital 
terrestrial television, predominantly Freeview, accounts for 39% 
of primary set reception, around the same level as satellite, 
which is largely subscription but includes Freesat. Digital cable 
– which is exclusively pay-TV – accounts for a further 13% of 
homes. A small number of UK homes also subscribe to smaller 
pay-TV operators, including Top Up TV and BT Vision.

UK television viewing levels remained flat in 2009, with the 
average adult watching four hours of television a day. With the 
BBC losing share, viewing of commercial television registered a 
small increase, rising by 1% compared to 2008. 

ITV channels delivered 326 billion commercial impacts – 
individual adult viewings of 30 second television commercials – 
an increase of 1% over the previous year. However, the volume 
of commercial impacts across the market increased by 4%, 
reflecting increased commercial viewing and more viewing 
of digital channels carrying a higher volume of advertising. 
As a result, ITV’s channels’ share of commercial impacts was 
down slightly year-on-year at 40.0% (2008: 41.0%). 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review   

19

ITV1

On-screen performance
Across 2009, ITV1 delivered a 16.6% share of total UK viewing 
compared to 17.2% in 2008. ITV1’s share of commercial viewing 
(excluding the BBC) was 26.6% (2008: 27.8%). BBC1, BBC2 and 
Channel 4 all suffered greater proportionate declines than ITV1. 

ITV1 performed particularly strongly in peak viewing hours – 
defined as 7.00 pm to 10.30 pm. ITV1 delivered a 23.7% peak 
share overall (2008: 23.9%) and a 37.7% share of commercial 
viewing in peak (2008: 38.6%). Again, ITV1’s main terrestrial 
rivals all suffered proportionately greater declines. ITV1 delivered 
nearly double the share in peak of Channel 4 and Five combined. 

Share of commercial impacts is an important measure for 
advertisers as it represents the proportion of all viewing of UK 
commercials delivered by a channel. ITV1’s share of commercial 
impacts in 2009 was 28.4% (2008: 30.0%). Across upmarket 
ABC1 viewers and younger 16–34 year old viewers, ITV1 
outperformed both its main commercial rivals, Channel 4 
and Five, year-on-year. 

Programming
The foundation of ITV1’s strong viewing performance in 2009 
was a raft of successful new and returning programming, 
within a significantly reformed schedule architecture. Although 
the programme budget was reduced by 12% year-on-year, 
ITV1 invested over £850 million in programming, including 
£540 million in original UK commissions. ITV1 maintained 
its spending on entertainment, but trimmed investment 
in drama, with a focus on the soaps and 9.00 pm drama. 

In entertainment, ITV1 had an exceptional year with each of 
its four main entertainment events – Dancing on Ice, Britain’s 
Got Talent, The X Factor and I’m A Celebrity – building their 
audience. The final of the third series of Britain’s Got Talent 
peaked with a 75% audience share, and was the most watched 
non-sports programme on UK television for over five years. 
In its sixth series, The X Factor introduced auditions before 
a live audience and split its final stages over Saturday and 
Sunday nights. The result was its most successful series 
to date with the final attracting 19.3 million viewers. 

Outside the four big franchises, entertainment successes 
included Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, All Star Mr & Mrs, 
The Royal Variety Performance and Ant & Dec’s Saturday 
Night Takeaway. ITV also launched a successful new 
entertainment format for Saturday nights, The Cube. 

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ITV1’s soaps continued to deliver robust ratings. Coronation 
Street averaged 9.2 million viewers (2008: 9.5 million), well 
ahead of Eastenders on BBC1. Emmerdale averaged 6.7 million 
(2008: 6.9 million). 

Alongside the soaps, ITV1 delivered a number of highly 
successful new 9.00 pm dramas. Whitechapel was the highest 
rating new drama on any channel since 2006. Collision was 
stripped across a week and peaked with 8.4 million viewers. 
Law & Order: UK, a British version of the highly successful and 
long-running US series, delivered an audience of 7.0 million. 
In total, seven of the UK’s top ten new dramas across the year 
were on ITV1, with a number of the most successful – including 
Whitechapel, Above Suspicion and Law & Order: UK – returning 
in 2010. 

Top ten new dramas on UK television

Title
Whitechapel
Collision
Above Suspicion
Unforgiven
Murderland
The Day of the Triffi ds
Law & Order: UK
Demons
Hope Springs
Hunter

Channel
ITV1
ITV1
ITV1
ITV1
ITV1
BBC1
ITV1
ITV1
BBC1
BBC1

Audience 
(million)
9.3
8.4
8.0
7.8
7.3
7.0
7.0
6.3
6.3
5.8

In comedy, a third series of Benidorm, with episodes extended 
to an hour, delivered an average audience of 6.5 million. 
Harry Hill’s TV Burp returned for a ninth series and averaged 
6.7 million viewers. 

The best performing sports programme on ITV1 in 2009 was 
the UEFA Champions’ League final between Manchester United 
and Barcelona, which peaked with 10.6 million viewers. Other 
high performing sports programming included the FA Cup 
and England home internationals. 

Given the pressure on the programming budget, the ITV1 
schedule included a greater emphasis on lower cost factual 
programming. Strong factual performers included Piers Morgan 
on…, Martin Clunes: Islands of Britain and Billy Connolly: 
Journey to the Edge of the World. The best performing factual 
programme in the year was Dancing on Ice: The Story of Bolero 
which attracted an audience of 7.7 million viewers. 

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

20

Broadcasting & Online

Daytime programming delivers over 20% of total ITV1 viewing. 
During 2009, This Morning relaunched with Holly Willoughby 
joining the presenting line-up and a range of editorial changes. 
Ratings for the show improved with audiences in 2009 up 8%. 
Other key daytime titles, The Jeremy Kyle Show and Loose 
Women, held their audience shares on 2008. 

In November 2009, ITV acquired the remaining 25% of GMTV 
held by Disney. Full ownership of the breakfast franchise will 
allow greater integration and cross-promotion between ITV1 
and GMTV. Across 2009, GMTV held its audience share at 1.2% 
(2008: 1.2%). 

ITV reduced its investment in regional programming to 
£68 million (2008: £112 million), as Ofcom approved 
modernisation of ITV’s regional news services. Nonetheless 
ITV1’s main regional news programmes at 6.00 pm continued 
to deliver an average audience of 3.3 million viewers (2008: 
3.4 million). 

National and international news remains a key part of the ITV1 
schedule. ITV invested in a significant marketing campaign to 
support a relaunch of its national news programming during 
the year. News at Ten’s average audience increased by 6% 
compared to 2008. Across the year, ITV1’s main news 
programmes delivered an average daily reach of 7.8 million, 
compared to 1.8 million for Channel 4 News and 1.7 million 
for Sky News. 

Average daily news reach

8m

6m

4m

2m

0

ITV1

Channel 4

Sky News

The ITV1 network’s viewing figures across the year were 
negatively impacted by the underperformance of the 
independent ITV1 licensee, STV Group plc. STV increased its 
level of opt outs from ITV1 dramas, including The Bill and 
Doc Martin, and reduced its financial contribution to the 
ITV1 network. STV’s share of commercial impacts fell by 12% 
across the year. 

Revenues 
ITV1 television advertising revenues were £993 million, down 
12% on 2008. Compared to recent years, ITV1 revenue growth 
ran much closer to the overall market, where revenues were 
down 11%. 

The 2009 revenue performance was achieved despite the 
continuing impact of Contract Rights Renewal (CRR). CRR allows 
advertisers to reduce their commitment to ITV1 in line with the 
channel’s share of commercial impact decline in the previous 
year. ITV1’s share of commercial impact decline in 2008 was 6%. 
However, 2009 ITV1 NAR decline ran relatively close to the 
overall market decline, reflecting a strong on-screen performance 
and a successful outcome to the advertising deal round. 

The Competition Commission undertook a review of CRR during 
2009 and, in early 2010, provisionally ruled that CRR should be 
maintained. ITV had argued that CRR should be abolished 
entirely and the outcome of the review is therefore disappointing. 
ITV continues to believe that CRR is a disproportionate remedy 
with negative consequences extending well beyond ITV. 
The Competition Commission has provisionally concluded 
that CRR should be amended to permit the inclusion of 
an ITV1+1 and ITV1 HD service within CRR (see Forward look 
on page 26).

ITV’s sponsorship revenues – predominantly in connection 
with ITV1 programming – were £59 million in 2009 (2008: 
£58 million). Sponsorship revenues were considerably more 
resilient than NAR, reflecting longer term contracts and the 
value to advertisers of allying themselves with successful 
ITV programming. Major contracts in 2009 included esure’s 
sponsorship of the National Weather and Harvey’s sponsorship 
of Coronation Street. In addition, ITV secured important 
contracts for 2010, including Lucozade and Hyundai’s 
sponsorship of the 2010 World Cup.

ITV’s interactive revenues, primarily raised from competitions 
and phone voting around ITV1 programmes, were £30 million 
in 2009 (2008: £34 million). There were almost 100 million 
viewer interactions, entries to competitions and votes across 
the year. The X Factor final alone generated over 10 million 
votes, up 28% year-on-year.

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review   

21

Digital channels

ITV’s family of digital channels – ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV – put 
in another strong performance in 2009. Their combined share 
of viewing was 5.3%, compared to 4.3% for the BBC’s digital 
channels and 4.1% for the Channel 4 digital family. 

ITV’s digital channels are broadcast free-to-air on Freeview, 
digital satellite and cable and are entirely funded by advertising 
and sponsorship. Notwithstanding wider market weakness, 
ITV’s digital channels increased their television advertising 
revenues by 1% to £245 million, raising their share of the total 
UK television advertising market to 8.5% (2008: 7.5%). Across the 
year, ITV’s digital channels generated more advertising revenue 
than the UK’s third largest commercial channel, Five. 

Although ITV’s digital channels delivered increased viewing, 
advertising revenues and share across 2009, investment in 
programming for the channels was held at £110 million 
(2008: £112 million). This reflects ITV’s strategy of seeking 
to contain its programming costs. 

ITV2
ITV2, together with a timeshifted sister service, ITV2+1, 
is particularly targeted at the younger 16–34 year old 
demographic, with a schedule including a mix of original 
commissions, spin-offs from ITV1 programming, movies, 
US acquired series and repeats.

In 2009, ITV2 retained its position as the UK’s top multichannel 
station in terms of its share of commercial impacts, with a 
12% increase in adult commercial impacts translating into 
a 4.3% share of total market impacts. ITV2 increased its 
share of viewing to 2.4% (2008: 2.1%). 

Impacts across ITV2’s target younger audience increased by 
15% on the previous year, with ITV2 overtaking the terrestrial 
channel Five in this commercially valuable demographic. 
ITV2 also delivers more upmarket impacts than any other 
UK digital channel and improved its audience profile further 
during 2009 with ABC1 impacts increasing by 13%. 

ITV2 had a number of programming successes during the year. 
The Xtra Factor attracted the channel’s highest ever peak 
audience of 3.5 million viewers, ahead of the Britain’s Got More 
Talent final episode which peaked at 3.3 million viewers. Other 
programming successes included Peter Andre: Going It Alone, 
which peaked with 2.4 million viewers. 

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ITV3
ITV3 is aimed at an upmarket audience, with a schedule 
including repeated ITV drama, acquired programming, films 
and some original programming. 

In 2009, ITV3 retained its position as the UK’s second largest 
multichannel station in terms of commercial impact share, 
with a share of 3.4% (2008: 3.1%) and impact volumes up 
by 16% year-on-year.

Across the year, 241 ITV3 programmes achieved an audience 
of more than 500,000, compared to 147 programmes in 2008. 
ITV3 had its best ever programming performance in 2009 with 
Ladies of Letters delivering 1.3 million viewers and an 8.2% 
viewing share. Other successful programmes included Lewis 
and Poirot, which both had episodes with audiences of over 
1.0 million. 

Top ten UK digital channels by share of commercial impacts

5%

4%

3%

2%

1%

0%

ITV2 ITV3

E4

Dave More4 Sky1 ITV4

Living

Virgin1 Five
USA

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

22

 Broadcasting & Online

ITV4
ITV4 targets young male viewers, with a schedule including live 
football, darts, Tour de France cycling, classic repeated drama 
and US acquisitions. 

ITV4 grew its impacts by 8% in 2009 and was the UK’s seventh 
largest multichannel station in terms of commercial impact 
share, with a 1.5% share of commercial impacts. 

ITV4’s top performing programme of the year was the UEFA 
Cup match between Manchester City and Hamburg, which 
attracted a peak audience of 2.7 million viewers and averaged 
a 13% share of male viewers. The top non-sport programme 
on ITV4 was the action movie Crank, which attracted a peak 
audience of 1.0 million viewers and a 10% share. 

CITV 
CITV is ITV’s channel for younger viewers and features a range 
of UK and imported children’s programming. In 2009, CITV’s 
share of commercial impacts for children increased by 6% 
to 3.1%, with its volume of children’s impacts up by 6%. 

SDN

SDN is a digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplex operator 
wholly owned by ITV. SDN earns revenues by leasing out 
capacity on the DTT platform to channel providers, generally 
on long-term contracts. Channels carried on the SDN multiplex 
include QVC, Five and CITV. 

SDN holds one of six digital terrestrial multiplex licences. 
During 2009 the licence was renewed by the regulator Ofcom 
and the second licence term runs to 2022. No spectrum fee 
is payable until the end of 2014 at the earliest. 

In 2009, SDN revenues increased by 33% to £44 million, 
reflecting improved terms for a channel contract renewed 
in early 2009 and the accommodation of a tenth broadcast 
channel from May 2009. 

Having considered the sale of SDN earlier in the year, in October 
2009 ITV announced that preliminary discussions had been 
opened with the Trustees of the ITV Pension Scheme over a 
partnership arrangement under which SDN would provide asset 
backing to the pension scheme. Such a partnership could serve 
to reduce the pension deficit on a funding basis, with ITV 
continuing to consolidate SDN’s revenues and cash flows. 
Discussions regarding this proposal are continuing. 

Freeview, Freesat and Project Canvas

ITV is a shareholder in Freeview, which markets the highly 
successful UK free-to-air DTT platform. By the end of 2009, 
Freeview was the primary means of television reception in 
10.1 million UK homes, with a further 5.9 million homes using 
Freeview on one or more non-primary sets. 

ITV is also a joint venture partner in Freesat, which markets 
subscription-free digital satellite television. Freesat was launched 
in early 2008 by ITV and the BBC to provide free-to-air access 
to digital satellite, including HD services from the BBC and ITV. 
By the end of the year, subscription-free digital satellite 
was the primary means of television reception in 0.7 million 
UK homes. 

ITV’s backing for Freeview and Freesat reflects ITV’s strategy 
to future-proof the digital platforms on which ITV’s family of 
channels performs strongest. Consistent with this strategy, 
ITV is also a partner in Project Canvas, which aims to set a 
standard for on demand services delivered via internet-
connected set-top boxes and televisions. 

Project Canvas will allow all digital viewers – free-to-air as well 
as pay – access to video on demand programming on the 
television set. ITV’s partners in the project include the BBC, 
BT, Five, Channel 4 and Talk Talk. Having been provisionally 
approved by the BBC Trust in late 2009, preparations for 
the launch of Project Canvas are continuing.

Year end penetration of UK television platforms

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Freeview

Pay
Satellite

Cable

Analogue
Terrestrial

Freesat 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review   

23

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Video on demand deals with Virgin Media and BT Vision allow 
their combined 3.5 million subscribers access to hundreds of 
hours of ITV content via their televisions on an on demand 
basis. ITV also has a partnership with iTunes which makes 
ITV’s programming available for paid-for download. 

Early in 2009, the Competition Commission blocked Project 
Kangaroo, the proposed joint venture between the BBC, ITV, 
Channel 4 and Five to deliver an online video archive service. 
Since that decision, ITV has been pursuing alternative means 
of exploiting its extensive video archive via itv.com and 
potential third-party partnerships. 

During 2009, the online division was integrated into ITV’s 
wider broadcasting operations, generating significant savings. 
As with ITV’s existing digital channels, there is an opportunity 
to leverage ITV’s investment in content and ITV1’s cross-
promotional power to drive traffic and revenues to online 
and on demand services. 

Online revenues totalled £37 million in 2009, up 3% on 2008. 
Excluding Friends Reunited, itv.com revenues were £24 million, 
up 33% on 2008. The largest single element of itv.com revenues 
is accounted for by video advertising, with the balance including 
payments from video on demand deals with pay-TV platforms.

Friends Reunited’s revenues declined by 28% to £13 million, 
impacted by the decline in online display advertising prices 
and the loss of subscription revenues from the core reunions 
site following its relaunch in 2008. 

In August 2009, ITV announced that it had agreed to sell Friends 
Reunited to Brightsolid for £25 million. The proposed disposal 
is currently being reviewed by the Competition Commission.

Online

The UK online advertising market continues to grow as 
broadband penetration has reached 70% of UK households. 
With faster broadband connections, the demand for online 
video has increased and a number of new online video services 
have been launched. Digital cable subscribers can already 
access services, including ITV Player, via their television. 
New services, such as Project Canvas, promise to accelerate 
further the convergence of online video on demand and 
television platforms. 

ITV’s focus has been on building the reach of its online video 
services delivered via itv.com and a number of partnerships. 
In 2009, itv.com unique users averaged 8.7 million per month, 
increasing by 33% on 2008. Online video viewing of ITV 
programming has also continued to grow rapidly. Including 
catch-up and short form clips, video views across the year on 
itv.com totalled 215 million, up 150% from 2008. Both metrics 
peaked in May, with Britain’s Got Talent boosting unique 
users to 12.8 million and video views reaching 50 million 
for the month. 

Average monthly itv.com unique users

10m

8m

6m

4m

2m

0

8.7m

6.5m

5.0m

2007

2008

2009

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

24

ITV Studios

2009 was a challenging year for the UK and international 
television production market. The economic downturn 
impacted demand for original production from broadcasters. 
With their own advertising revenues falling, commissioners 
sought to apply downward pressure on producers’ prices 
and margins or replaced original commissions with cheaper 
acquisitions and repeats. 

Despite the downturn amongst its broadcast customers, ITV 
Studios increased its external revenues by 9% to £335 million 
(2008: £306 million). However, overall revenues fell by 4% 
to £597 million (2008: £622 million), reflecting a significant 
reduction in internal ITV commissions. Following a similar 
pattern of increased external revenues and reducing 
ITV commissions the previous year, for the first time in 
2009 external revenues represented the majority of overall 
ITV Studios’ revenues. 

EBITA before exceptional items was held at £91 million 
(2008: £90 million), with efficiency savings, international 
growth and some exchange rate gains offsetting lower 
internal supply. 

ITV Studios: Shifting composition of revenues

International production

2009: £597m

Distribution and exploitation

UK production

International production

2006: £632m

Distribution and 
exploitation

UK production

UK Production

Internal revenues, largely commissions for ITV1, fell by 
£54 million to £262 million. The reduction in internal 
commissions partly reflected a reduction in ITV1’s budget. 
However ITV Studios’ share of ITV1 commissions fell to 47% 
in 2009, compared to 51% in 2008. 

The most significant reduction in internal commissions was in 
drama, with a number of established titles, including A Touch 
of Frost and Heartbeat, not broadcast or transmitted in shorter 
runs. In other cases, including Albert’s Memorial and Identity, 
transmission has been delayed into 2010. Nonetheless ITV 
Studios continued to deliver more ITV1 drama than any other 
producer, with returning titles including Lewis and Blue Murder, 
and new commissions including Gunrush and The Fattest Man 
in Britain. 

Entertainment commissions for ITV1 also reduced, but included 
I’m A Celebrity, Dancing on Ice and The Krypton Factor. 
Two new shows – The Fuse and The Chase – were delivered 
under an ITV pilot deal, which is being extended in 2010. 

With ITV1’s programme budget under pressure, more cost 
effective factual programming has been a focus. ITV Studios 
deliveries included Real Crime, Airline and Countrywise. 
ITV Studios also continued to produce the key pillars of 
ITV1’s daytime schedule, including The Jeremy Kyle Show, 
This Morning, Loose Women and 60 Minute Makeover. 

ITV Studios’ two soaps – Coronation Street and Emmerdale – 
remained ITV1’s most effective ratings drivers over the course 
of 2009. Coronation Street reached its 7,000th episode in 
January 2009 and celebrates its 50th birthday in 2010. 

Trading conditions beyond ITV were tough with other UK 
broadcasters also cutting programme budgets. Reflecting 
these trends, ITV Studios’ external UK production revenues 
reduced by 15% to £58 million. However, successful third-party 
commissions included The Street, Eggheads and University 
Challenge for the BBC, Come Dine With Me and Countdown for 
Channel 4 and two new formats for Living, My Ugly Best Friend 
and Four Weddings. 

Resources revenues from ITV’s studio facilities and post-
production business were £13 million (2008: £17 million), 
reflecting the decline in UK production activity and closure 
of studios in Leeds.

ITV Studios won 45 awards in 2009 (2008: 61 awards), with 
winners including Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, 
The Street and Loose Women. 

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review   

25

Despite the downturn amongst its broadcast 
customers, ITV Studios increased its external 
revenues by 9% to £335 million and held EBITA 
before exceptional items at £91 million. 

International Production

ITV Studios Global Entertainment

ITV has been seeking to diversify its production revenues over 
recent years. International production has been a particular 
focus with ITV seeking to move from distributing programming 
or selling format rights to producing original programming 
in local markets for international broadcasters. In more 
challenging trading conditions, ITV’s international production 
businesses were able to maintain strong growth across 2009, 
with revenues increasing by 41% to £138 million (including 
some foreign exchange benefit). 

This growth has been founded on ITV’s ability to deliver locally 
adapted versions of proven UK hits to the international market. 
ITV Studios produced Come Dine With Me – originally made 
by ITV Studios for Channel 4 in the UK – for VOX in Germany, 
for TV4 in Sweden and for Lifestyle in Australia. During the year, 
ITV produced local versions of I’m A Celebrity for NBC in the 
USA, RTL in Germany, Sony Entertainment Television in India 
and TV4 in Sweden – as well as on ITV1. 

The largest of ITV’s international production businesses, ITV 
Studios USA, delivered a strong slate of programming including 
Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares for Fox, Room Raiders 
for MTV and Steven Seagal Lawman for A&E. 

Alongside ITV Studios’ existing production offices in Germany, 
Australia and Sweden, ITV opened a further production base 
in Spain and, early in 2010, in France. 

ITV’s distribution and exploitation business, ITV Studios Global 
Entertainment, held its revenues broadly flat in 2009 at 
£126 million (2008: £123 million). This was despite challenging 
trading conditions, in particular in the UK DVD market, and 
reflected some benefit from foreign exchange movements. 

ITV Studios Global Entertainment represents more than 
35,000 hours of original and formatted programming from 
ITV Studios and leading independent producers and distributes 
to broadcasters in more than 240 territories worldwide. 
Major revenue earners in 2009 included Coronation Street, 
Emmerdale, Poirot and Heartbeat, with Australia, Ireland, 
Canada, the USA and Scandinavia the major territories. 
A new version of The Prisoner, co-produced by ITV Studios 
and AMC in the US, will be broadcast on ITV1 in 2010. 

Major format sales include Come Dine With Me, which has 
been sold to countries including Slovenia, Sweden, Australia 
and Norway. New ITV Studios format Four Weddings has also 
delivered international format sales following its UK success. 

ITV Studios Home Entertainment markets a portfolio of over 
3,000 television, music, film and publishing titles across formats 
including DVD, Blu-ray, and downloads in the UK and 
internationally. Major UK revenue earners included Harry Hill’s 
TV Burp, Al Murray: The Pub Landlord, Coronation Street: 
Romanian Holiday and Inspector Morse. 

Lifetime revenues of ITV Studios formats 

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£200m

£150m

£100m

£50m

£0

I’m A Celebrity Hell’s Kitchen

Come Dine 
With Me

Dancing on Ice

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Operating review

26

Forward look
Forward look

Although the wider economic environment may be more 
stable in 2010, the outlook remains highly uncertain and 
ITV faces another challenging year. 

of devices allowing free-to-air access to video on demand 
services via the television, as part of Project Canvas, will 
also continue.

Broadcasting & Online
In early 2010, the television advertising market has returned 
to growth. Across the first quarter, ITV expects its television 
advertising revenues to be up 7%, in line with the wider UK 
television advertising market. 

Into the second quarter, the level of Government spending 
on UK television advertising may be impacted by the general 
election. However it is hoped that this should be offset by 
the positive impact of the football World Cup. Whilst ITV 
has limited visibility on advertising beyond the first quarter, 
ITV is seeking to hold its share of the total market for a third 
year in succession. 

Forecast change in ITV net TV advertising revenue, 2010

20%

16%

12%

8%

4%

0%

Jan

Feb

Mar

ITV has continued to deliver a stable ratings performance 
in early 2010, with the ITV family maintaining its share of 
commercial impacts year-on-year over the first six weeks. 
Over the same period, ITV1’s share of commercial impacts was 
28.7% (2009: 29.4%), reflecting the success of programming 
including Above Suspicion, Take Me Out and Dancing on Ice. 
As well as the start of the football World Cup, the second 
quarter includes the fourth series of Britain’s Got Talent. 

Following the Competition Commission review of CRR, ITV 
anticipates launching ITV1+1 and the ITV1 HD channel later in 
2010. ITV1+1 and the HD services will strengthen ITV’s channel 
line up and the channel offering on DTT, the platform on 
which ITV’s channels perform best. Preparations for the launch 

With the CRR review completed, Ofcom intends to review 
the rules on advertising minutage. Currently ITV1 (alongside 
Channel 4 and Five) is required to broadcast a lower volume of 
advertising than other UK commercial channels and must sell 
all its inventory. ITV believes that it could potentially benefit 
from greater flexibility with respect to such restrictions.

Ofcom is also set to consult on the limited introduction of 
product placement to UK television later in 2010. While there is 
uncertainty as to the scale of the market, product placement 
represents an opportunity for further revenue diversification.

The requirement on ITV1 to broadcast regional news services 
remains a costly obligation which ITV believes is unsustainable 
in its current form. Government has confirmed a pilot scheme 
which may see ITV plc relieved of regional news costs in two 
regions as early as 2010/11 and a framework for external 
funding of regional news across ITV by 2013. The Conservative 
Party opposes these specific proposals, but has also supported 
a reduction in ITV’s public service broadcasting obligations.

ITV1 has been required to make payments to the Treasury 
for its Channel 3 licences, which in 2009 totalled £22 million 
(2008: £30 million). An early review of the level of these licence 
payments is currently underway with new rates expected 
to be retrospectively applied from January 2010. 

ITV Studios
Trading for ITV Studios is expected to remain tough during 
2010, reflecting pressure on commissioning budgets amongst 
broadcasters worldwide. Internal commissions will be impacted 
as ITV’s programme budget accommodates additional 
investment on the football World Cup. In international 
production, a number of commissions secured in 2009 are 
not expected to be recommissioned for 2010, but may 
return for 2011. 

Strategic review
Early in 2010, ITV launched a major strategic review. The review 
will set out the journey ITV needs to embark on to deliver its 
strategic objectives. The new Chief Executive Adam Crozier 
is expected to set out the new strategy for the business later 
in 2010. 

Having exceeded its cost savings target for 2009, ITV is 
continuing to keep a tight rein on costs in 2010, with total 
schedule costs expected to be flat and further off-screen 
savings in train. ITV continues to make targeted investment, 
in particular to support the launch of ITV1 HD, ITV1+1 and 
Project Canvas. 

27

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

Stakeholders

ITV’s major stakeholders include shareholders, 
employees, suppliers, viewers and online users, UK 
and international broadcasters, and advertisers. 

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Diversity
ITV’s diversity policy aims to ensure equality of opportunity 
irrespective of gender, marital status, race, origin, nationality, 
religious belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in recruitment, 
learning, development and promotion. This also covers the 
arrangements for continued employment of and appropriate 
training for employees who become disabled whilst working 
at the Company. 

ITV is an active participant in the major diversity forums. 
Through these and direct activities undertaken by ITV regionally 
and nationally, the Company is committed to working towards 
achieving a workforce fully reflecting the audiences it serves. 
The table on page 29 gives further information on ITV’s 
workplace profile. 

Communication
ITV recognises that creating an effective workplace requires 
free circulation of information at all levels across the Company. 
Employees are kept informed about significant business issues 
and the Group’s performance using emails, the Company 
intranet – The Watercooler – and open forums with members 
of the Management Board at each main location. Regular 
monthly leadership breakfasts are held for senior management, 
who are asked to cascade the information to their teams. 
The Watercooler also provides a platform on which employees 
can interact, discuss current corporate issues and register 
any matters of concern.

The Company has a framework for consultation and information-
sharing, under which Communication Groups on each ITV site 
are responsible for maintaining a regular two way dialogue 
with management on all issues concerning employees. 

Health and Safety 
The health and safety (H&S) of employees, contractors and 
visitors at ITV is always a high priority. A management system 
has been developed by the internal H&S team to meet the 
specific risk profile of the business and is supported by a 
comprehensive training programme. H&S is communicated 
throughout the organisation by a network of local Committees, 
who report to the ITV H&S Steering Group. The table on page 
29 gives further information on ITV’s H&S statistics. 

Employees 

Given the difficult economic environment, ITV has seen its 
headcount fall significantly during 2009. As at 31 December 2009, 
the Company had 4,026 employees (2008: 5,232 employees). 

In tough market conditions, building employee engagement 
and commitment is an even greater priority for the Company. 
In 2009, ITV undertook regular staff surveys to track staff 
opinion, commitment and engagement (see page 33). 

People development
Ensuring that staff have the necessary skills and experience to 
deliver the Company’s corporate objectives in rapidly changing 
market conditions is a priority for ITV. 

The Company’s performance management process seeks to 
ensure that ITV employees have clear and aligned objectives 
which are evaluated each year. All managers are required to 
undertake a formal Performance and Development Review 
with their staff. In 2009, ITV refined its core training portfolio 
to focus on those core skills that best meet the priorities 
of the business. 

ITV has also implemented a number of initiatives in 2009 that 
give employees broader experience and enhance company-
wide commitment. These include the relaunch of the 
volunteering scheme which allows employees to use their 
creative and media skills through a range of volunteering 
opportunities. A 12 month Fast Track scheme allows 
talented ITV staff at the beginning of their careers to 
build experience and skills on an accelerated basis. 

Rewards and incentives
In order to attract, retain and motivate the best talent, ITV 
aims to offer all employees a competitive package of pay, 
benefits and incentives. In January 2010 ITV completed its 
annual pay review and concluded that there should be no 
increase in base salary for any ITV employees. However, to 
provide recognition to its employees for their hard work 
and loyalty shown during a difficult year, ITV made a share 
award to the value of £340 to all eligible employees and 
provided an extra day’s holiday. 

ITV offers a number of initiatives as part of its benefits 
package to incentivise all employees: 

–   an annual bonus scheme for all ITV employees, which 

is dependent on ITV’s performance against key financial 
and non-financial targets; 

–   an all-employee reward scheme, Create, which rewards 
employees for any new ideas that generate profit 
or improve the way ITV does business; and

–   a Save As You Earn scheme which gives all employees 
the chance to save and build a stake in the Company.

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Stakeholders

28

Customers

Suppliers

Our key customers are our viewers, our advertisers and 
other broadcasters. 

The heart of our business lies in delivering first-rate content 
to viewers, either directly via our family of channels, or via 
the sale of our content. 

To understand ITV viewers and their expectations of us more 
fully, throughout 2009 we continued to commission an 
independent research company to recruit and survey our Vision 
Panel – a fully representative panel of 10,000 adult television 
viewers – and a smaller independent panel, My Digital Life, to 
obtain feedback from the online market. This enables ITV to 
measure audience reaction to our programmes and content 
on a daily basis and to achieve an in-depth understanding of 
viewer reaction and preferences. It also allows ITV to ask regular 
questions about the family of digital channels, using the panel 
to test new ideas and to find out people’s views on broader 
media issues. The success of the research has led it to be used 
by a wide range of areas within the business. In 2009 for the 
first time it was used to help develop programme-related 
merchandising opportunities. 

Viewers must be confident about the quality and appropriateness 
of ITV’s content and scheduling. ITV observes the 9.00 pm 
watershed and alerts viewers to material that may cause 
offence via announcements immediately before relevant 
programming. ITV has detailed compliance processes and an 
in-house compliance team that provides support and advice 
for programme makers and commissioners before and during 
production. ITV maintains a responsive complaints handling 
service via ITV’s Viewer Services team, and viewers can raise 
any issues directly with Ofcom. In 2009, 797 ITV programmes 
were complained about to Ofcom, compared to 1,026 in 2008, 
and 13 Ofcom adjudications found breaches compared to 
16 in 2008. 

The relationship with advertisers is essential to drive advertising 
revenues. ITV continues to build close relationships with the 
advertisers and agencies, to gain a better understanding 
of their objectives and to enable ITV to meet those needs 
more efficiently and effectively. 

ITV Studios has supplied programming to broadcasters and 
commissioners worldwide. The business works closely with its 
partners to produce and supply the highest quality content, 
which is commercially appealing and rewarding. 

ITV conducts business with a large variety of suppliers and 
believes that its terms are considered fair and reasonable. 
To ensure ITV contracts with responsible suppliers, 
environmental and health and safety questionnaires are 
required to be completed as part of all tender processes. 
A green and sustainable procurement agenda will continue 
to be a key focus for the centralised procurement team. 

Procurement plays a significant role in driving corporate 
performance. A significant transformation within the 
function and better accounting systems have enabled ITV’s 
procurement function to be integrated more effectively into 
the way ITV conducts its business. Procurement manages 
spending along category lines enabling it to manage spend 
more effectively. There are central contracts in place for 
technology, broadcast, production and marketing spend, 
with local deals only being used where a justification has 
been agreed.

ITV has a variety of suppliers who are key to the business. 
A number of the Company’s major suppliers are involved 
in the broadcast of ITV’s family of channels and include Arqiva, 
TNS, SES Astra and BT. Key suppliers of programming and 
broadcasting programme rights include ITN, who provides ITV’s 
national news programmes, Fremantle who produce Britain’s 
Got Talent and The X Factor for ITV1, the Football Association 
and NBC Universal Studios. ITV has recently signed a five year 
outsourcing contract with Accenture for them to provide ITV 
with technology operations and support services. Services will 
be transitioned to Accenture during 2010. ITV ensures close 
engagement with these suppliers and seeks to manage the 
risks involved in the reliance upon them, where possible holding 
long-term contracts. Other key suppliers include those who 
provide the technology for outside broadcast, for example 
O21 Television and SIS. ITV has de-risked its exposure to these 
suppliers by moving away from reliance on a single partner. 

Community

ITV is committed to engaging viewers across the country on 
issues that affect their lives and have an impact on the 
community in which they live. Both on and off-screen, ITV’s 
network and regional teams play an important role in initiatives 
which seek to encourage individuals to improve their lives, 
support community projects or promote integration of 
minority groups within their region.

In 2009 ITV was an active partner in the cross-industry 
and government campaign to improve the nation’s health 
and fitness. As a founding member of the Business4Life 
movement, ITV supported the Change4Life campaign both 
on-screen and online by launching The Feelgood Factor. 
This initiative involved network and regional programming 
with a focus on helping viewers make positive changes to 
achieve a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families. 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Stakeholders

29

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It is the Company’s policy not to make cash contributions to 
any political party. However, within the normal activities of the 
Group’s national and regional news gathering operations there 
are occasions when activity may fall within the wide definition 
of political expenditure contained in the Companies Act 2006. 
Shareholder authority for such expenditure was given at the 
Annual General Meeting in 2009 and a similar resolution will be 
proposed at the 2010 Annual General Meeting. During the year 
the Group made no payments falling within the definition of 
political expenditure (2008: £7,968).

Corporate Responsibility 

ITV recognises the importance of Corporate Responsibility. 
Full details on ITV’s Corporate Responsibility objectives and 
activities will be set out in the separate Corporate Responsibility 
report available on the Company’s website, www.itvplc.com. 
The table below provides a summary of performance against 
key Corporate Responsibility performance indicators. 

Protecting the environment1
CO2 emissions from business 
travel (tonnes)2
Total CO2 emissions (tonnes)2
Total waste (tonnes)
Total waste recycled
Total water use (m3)
Workplace profile (%)
Female employees
Ethnic minority employees3
Employees with a disability4
Employees aged over 50
Health and Safety5
Accidents requiring more 
than three days off work
Major accidents
Fatal accidents
Access Services for ITV1 (% of programmes)
Subtitling
Audio description
Signing

2009

2008

6,831
46,383
2,195
65%
86,656

5,867
50,471
1,900
36%
93,175

48.2
9.1
3.1
12.9

6
5
0

94.5
17.3
5.6

49.0
9.0
2.0
15.0

5
2
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95.5
13.2
5.3

 (1)   UK only, including landlord managed sites. Assistance with data compilation by Mason 

Hardy Ltd.

(2)  Calculated in accordance with the WRI/WBCSD Greenhouse Gas Protocol methodology.
(3)  Percentage of those who disclosed their ethnicity.
(4)  Percentage of those who disclosed their disability.
(5)  Staff accidents excluding contractors.

In 2009 the ITV regional news programmes across the UK 
helped give away £3.5 million of lottery funding in the People’s 
Millions competition. Around 70 community projects received 
awards of up to £50,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. Now in its 
fifth year, the People’s Millions competition within regional 
news programmes has helped give away more than £21 million 
with hundreds of good causes benefiting as a result.

ITV engages in Diversity and Disability initiatives including 
our award-winning in-house signing facility, Signpost, 
which provides online signing services, news, information, 
entertainment and education in and about sign language. 
In 2009, Signpost won a national RADAR Award – the Disability 
Network’s People of the Year Awards for ‘Doing it Differently’. 

Environment

Careful management of environmental matters is a priority 
for ITV. During 2009, ITV undertook a range of activities as 
part of our environmental management programme, such 
as supply chain and carbon management. 

ITV continued to measure and monitor its carbon footprint 
and environmental impact during 2009. The reshaping of the 
business during the year, coupled with the ongoing focus on 
resource management, has led to a reduction in both the 
consumption of water and the size of the carbon footprint 
of certain parts of the business. This decrease reflects changes 
in the property profile of the Company and changing 
operational practices. 

Environmental legislation continues to evolve and ITV has 
procedures in place to ensure new regulatory requirements 
are identified, understood and proactively managed. ITV is 
preparing to meet the regulatory requirements of the CRC 
Energy Efficiency Scheme. A cross business working group 
has been established to manage both the risks and 
opportunities presented by the requirements. In preparation 
for this legislation ITV has identified a wide range of 
organisational responses. 

ITV continues to operate an innovative waste management 
contract with an external organisation that encourages waste 
reduction and the recycling of materials. This contractual 
arrangement has been in place since 2008 and the work 
associated with it has been recognised with ITV winning a 
Corporate Responsibility Award from the Management 
Consultancy Association. During 2009 ITV saw an increase 
in the percentage of waste that was diverted from landfill 
and instead sent for recycling. 

Donations

The Company made contributions to charities and equivalent 
organisations amounting to £2 million (2008: £2 million) in cash 
and £10 million (2008: £5 million) in kind, totalling £12 million 
(2008: £7 million). Further details will be set out in our 
Corporate Responsibility report.

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

30

Risks and uncertainties

ITV operates in a market which is being transformed 
by digital technologies. The broader economic 
environment is also uncertain. In addition, ITV is 
subject to regulatory risk. 

The Company works hard to identify and manage the 
major risks to which the business is subject across all areas 
and including both financial and reputational risks. 

ITV employs an Enterprise-wide Risk Management (ERM) 
programme in order to identify and monitor major risks 
impacting the business and in order to ensure that these risks 
are appropriately managed with adequate mitigating actions in 
place. The risk factors below were identified as most significant 
from the 2009 ERM programme.

These risks do not necessarily comprise all the major risks to 
which ITV is subject and they are not set out in any order of 
priority. The business may be subject to risks and uncertainties 
which are not known to ITV or which are currently judged 
to be immaterial.

Further details on governance arrangements by which risks 
and uncertainties are monitored and managed are set out 
in the Audit Committee report.

Group
Risk description
Strategy execution
ITV needs to deliver the three core objectives 
set out in response to the downturn – and
to develop its strategy for long-term growth

Structural risk
With the media market undergoing rapid 
structural change and new platforms and 
technologies constantly developing, ITV needs 
to ensure that broadcasting and content 
revenues and profits are not eroded

Market conditions
As a business with a high reliance on 
cyclically-exposed television advertising revenues, 
ITV needs to adapt to any potential deterioration 
in economic and market conditions putting 
pressure on ITV’s revenues, profits and cash flow

Impact

Mitigation

–  Loss of market share 
–  Reduction in EBITA before exceptional items
–  Deterioration in cash flows

–  Strategy review launched in early 2010 will 
produce clear plans for delivery of strategic 
objectives across all relevant areas

–  Regular review of progress against plans

–  Reduction in television advertising revenues
–  Reduction in EBITA before exceptional items

–  Implementation of strategy to strengthen ITV’s 

favoured platforms

–  Devising new products and services to take 

advantage of emerging opportunities

–  Lower audience for ITV programming 

–  Improving return on investment for 

and channels

programming spend 

–  Loss of volume and share of impacts
–  Loss of television advertising market share

–  Ensuring appropriate composition and targeting 

of ITV’s channel portfolio

–  Building strong customer relationships with 

agencies and advertisers

People
ITV’s success is critically dependent on its ability 
to attract and retain key people across the 
business at all levels on and off-screen

–  Business underperformance 
–  Reduced staff engagement 

–  Appropriate employment terms for on 

and off-screen talent 

–  Investment in training and development
–  Staff surveys and communication programmes

Balance sheet
In an uncertain economic context and a 
transforming media market, ITV requires a robust 
balance sheet, including pension obligations, 
in order to be able to respond to market 
opportunities and meet its long-term 
funding obligations

–  Limited access to financing and reduced liquidity
–  Inability to fund potentially profitable 

investment opportunities

–  Diversion of cash flows to interest 

and pension payments

–  Extending debt maturities to ensure no 

short-term liquidity pressure

–  Ensuring appropriate funding across debt 

and equity

–  Regular contributions to pension scheme 
and initiatives to address pension risk

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Risks and uncertainties

31

Broadcasting & Online
Risk description
Maintaining performance
To ensure that its channels’ audience and 
advertising share are both maximised, ITV needs 
to sustain and improve the quality of its 
programming schedule, including by securing key 
externally produced programmes, and to optimise 
its sales performance

Compliance
To deliver on its regulatory obligations and 
maintain the trust of its viewers and advertisers, 
ITV needs to meet compliance requirements 
applying to its broadcasting licences, in particular 
with respect to premium-rate telephone services

Regulation
In a context of rapid market change, ITV needs 
to ensure that inflexible regulation does not 
prevent the Company delivering economically 
viable deals with its suppliers, network partners 
and customers

ITV Studios
Risk description
Rights ownership and exploitation
With the Company’s success critically dependent 
on its ability to develop valuable programming 
properties, ITV needs to sustain and exploit 
commercially a creative pipeline of new formats 
and original commissions

Margin protection and growth
With pressure on broadcasters’ budgets, including 
ITV’s own, delivering sustainable margins on 
production requires innovation with respect 
to funding models, management and cost

Impact

Mitigation

–  Lower audience for ITV programming 

–  Improving return on investment for 

and channels

programming spend 

–  Loss of volume and share of impacts 
–  Loss of television advertising market share
–  Loss of key externally supplied programming

–  Ensuring appropriate composition and targeting 

of ITV’s channel portfolio

–  Building strong customer relationships with 

agencies and advertisers

–  Maintaining high level of internal commissions 

to reduce reliance on external producers

–  Damage to the ITV brand
–  Lower audience commitment to ITV

–  Appropriate compliance processes and 

management

–  Legal input into all business contracts 
–  Reporting to Ofcom on airtime sales 

–  Lower audiences for ITV programming 

–  Communicating to Government and regulator 

and channels

–  Loss of volume and share of impacts 
–  Lower broadcast revenues 

the case for regulatory reform

–  Extending broadcast revenue opportunities 

via appropriate regulatory reform

–  Managing remaining regulatory hurdles 
to minimise negative business impact

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Impact

Mitigation

–  Reduction in ITV Studios EBITA before 

exceptional items

–  Ensure appropriate employment policies 

to attract and retain the best talent

–  Continue to build international production 
bases and wider broadcaster relationships
–  Exploit and extend existing critical mass of 
internal ITV commissions (e.g. via pilot deals)

–  Reduction in ITV Studios EBITA before 

exceptional items

–  Development of co-production and 

co-development partnerships

–  Delivery of efficiency review savings targets
–  Exploitation of commercial opportunities 
beyond programming and format sales 

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

32

Key Performance Indicators

ITV’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are used 
by the Company to assess its own performance 
against objective financial and non-financial criteria. 

As detailed in last year’s Annual Report, ITV has reviewed its 
KPIs to ensure that they reflect the focus of the business on 
cash and the balance sheet and on delivering public cost 
savings targets, as well as maintaining the core operating 
performance. As a result, three new KPIs have been introduced 
for cash conversion, cost savings and for market share. 

Profits, costs and cash

Cost savings
EBITA before exceptional items
Adjusted earnings per share
‘Profit to cash’ conversion

2009
£169m
£202m
1.8p
177%

2008
–
£211m
1.8p
75%

Financial KPIs

ITV’s financial KPIs provide yardsticks for assessing the financial 
performance of the Group overall and across its major business 
areas. Further detail on ITV’s financial performance can be 
found in the Operating and Financial reviews.

Revenues and market share

Total ITV revenues 
ITV net advertising revenues 
ITV share of UK television advertising market 
ITV Studios revenue (including internal) 
Online revenues (excluding Friends Reunited)

2009

2008
£1,879m £2,029m
£1,291m £1,425m
43.8%
£622m
£18m

44.7%
£597m
£24m

Total revenues declined by 7% in 2009, with a fall in television 
net advertising revenues (NAR) offset partially by an increase 
in external studios and online revenues. 

ITV NAR represents 69% of total ITV revenues. In 2009, ITV NAR 
declined by 9% to £1,291 million. Notwithstanding this decline, 
ITV substantially outperformed the wider UK television 
advertising market which suffered its sharpest decline 
on record, with revenues falling 11%. 

Television advertising market share has been added as a new 
financial KPI, reflecting the fact that wider market growth is 
not under ITV’s control. In 2009, ITV NAR represented 44.7% 
of the total UK market, compared to 43.8% the previous year. 

ITV Studios revenue is a KPI reflecting ITV’s focus on increasing 
total revenues from external customers and internal 
commissions. Total studios revenues were down 4%, with 
growth in international production offset by a significant 
reduction in UK production. 

Online revenues represent a further key focus for growth. 
Reflecting its proposed disposal, Friends Reunited revenues 
have been excluded. On this basis, online revenues – largely 
from itv.com and video on demand deals – increased by 33% 
to £24 million. 

Cost savings targets of £155 million were set out for 2009, 
as a key element in ITV’s response to the economic downturn. 
ITV met this target delivering £169 million of savings over 
the year.

Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) 
before exceptional items remains ITV’s key profit indicator, 
reflecting more accurately the business performance of 
the Group in a consistent manner and in line with how the 
business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. 
Despite a decline in Group revenues of £150 million, EBITA 
before exceptional items declined by only £9 million to 
£202 million, reflecting the impact of significant cost savings 
across the business. 

Adjusted earnings per share represent the adjusted profit 
for the year attributable to equity shareholders. Adjusted 
profit is defined as profit for the year attributable to equity 
shareholders, before exceptional items, impairment of 
intangibles, amortisation of intangible assets acquired through 
business combinations, adjusted financing costs (see page 38) 
and prior period and other tax adjustments. Adjusted earnings 
per share have remained at 1.8 pence, with the decline in EBITA 
before exceptional items offset by reduced losses from joint 
ventures and associates. 

‘Profit to cash’ conversion has been another key focus in 
2009 and has therefore been included as a KPI. ITV is seeking 
to maximise the proportion of EBITA before exceptional items 
converted into a measure of adjusted cash (defined as cash 
generated from operations before exceptional items less cash 
related to the acquisition of property, plant and equipment – 
see page 39). In 2009, with a significant positive working capital 
movement, adjusted cash represented 177% of EBITA before 
exceptional items, compared to 75% in 2008. ITV is seeking 
to keep this ‘profit to cash’ conversion ratio as high as 
possible – and in excess of 90% on a rolling three year 
basis – going forward. 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Key Performance Indicators

33

Staff engagement

Staff engagement

2009
65%

2008
68%

Staff engagement tracks the proportion of respondents 
to the annual survey of all ITV staff agreeing that they have 
pride in their work, are proud to work for ITV and speak 
highly about ITV’s products and services. The 2009 survey 
showed a slight decrease in staff engagement year-on-year 
from 68% to 65%. This was a year of substantial change, 
including a wide-ranging redundancy process and other 
difficult decisions reflecting the uncertain economic outlook. 
The senior team is currently working on plans to drive a positive 
improvement in engagement with staff as part of the business 
plan in 2010. 

Strategy review

ITV is currently undertaking a strategic review. As a result, 
there may be further revision of ITV’s KPI framework during 
2010 to ensure continuing consistency with the Company’s 
core strategic objectives. 

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Non-financial KPIs 

ITV’s non-financial KPIs provide metrics for assessing the 
underlying operating performance of the Group. Whilst success 
against each of these measures may not immediately be 
reflected in ITV’s financial performance, each is critical 
to the Group’s delivery of sustainable long-term success. 
A number of non-financial KPIs reflect ITV’s performance 
with respect to audiences of its channels and online.

Audience and reach

ITV channels’ share of commercial impacts
ITV1 volume of commercial impacts
ITV1 brand health 

2009
40.0%
232 bn
31%

2008
41.0%
236 bn
34%

ITV channels’ share of commercial impacts represent 
the proportion of all UK viewings of 30-second television 
commercials accounted for by ITV channels. In 2009, ITV 
delivered a 40.0% share of commercial impacts. Towards the 
end of the year in particular, ITV channels delivered a very 
strong performance, with family SOCI running at 41.8% 
over the fourth quarter. 

ITV1 adult impact volume represents the absolute number 
of viewings of commercials generated by ITV1 and reflects 
ITV’s focus on maintaining the reach of the UK’s largest 
commercial channel. In 2009, ITV1 delivered 232 billion 
adult impacts, down 2% on the previous year. 

ITV1 brand health reflects the outcome of a regular survey 
of viewers’ association between ITV1 and the drivers of 
television viewing. Over and above ITV1’s retrospective viewing 
performance, brand health allows the long-term strength 
of ITV’s key channel brand and its resonance with UK viewers 
to be tracked. In 2009, ITV1’s brand health score was 31% for 
the full year compared to 34% in the final quarter of 2008, 
when tracking commenced. A full year-on-year comparison 
will be possible from 2010 and ITV continues to monitor 
this KPI closely. 

 
 
34

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

Financial review

Having delivered targeted cost savings, generated 
more cash, improved the debt maturity profile and 
taken steps to reduce the pension risk, ITV has 
entered 2010 in better financial health. 

Broadcasting & Online

Broadcasting & Online revenues
Broadcasting & Online revenues comprise net advertising 
revenue (NAR), sponsorship income, interactive revenues 
(from premium rate telephony services and red button 
services), SDN, online and other revenues.

ITV1
ITV digital channels
GMTV
ITV plc NAR
Sponsorship
Minority revenue
Media sales, PRS and other income
SDN 
itv.com
Friends Reunited
Intra-segment revenue
Total Broadcasting & Online Revenue

2009 
£m
993
245
53
1,291
59
47 
69 
44 
24 
13 
(4)
1,543 

2008 
£m
1,127
242
56
1,425
58
63 
68 
33 
18 
18 
– 
1,683

Change 
£m
(134)
3
(3)
(134)
1
(16)
1
11 
6 
(5)
(4)
(140)

2009 was a challenging year for ITV. UK television advertising 
suffered its worst year-on-year decline on record and month 
to month trading was volatile and uncertain. Against this 
backdrop, ITV’s focus on its core operating performance, 
on cash and on costs is evident in the financial results.

The following review focuses on the adjusted results as, in 
management’s view, these show more accurately the business 
performance of the Group in a consistent manner and reflect 
how the business is managed and measured on a daily basis. 
A reconciliation from the statutory to adjusted results is set out 
later in this review.

Adjusted profit is defined as profit for the year attributable to 
equity shareholders, before exceptional items, impairment of 
intangibles, amortisation of intangible assets acquired through 
business combinations, adjusted financing costs and prior 
period and other tax adjustments. 

The definition of adjusted financing costs has changed in 2009 
to exclude the non-cash imputed pension interest cost and 
mark-to-market movements on swaps and foreign exchange 
movements on bonds, and other financing costs (see page 37). 
2008 has been restated on the same basis.

Total revenue for the year ended 31 December 2009 was 
7% lower at £1,879 million (2008: £2,029 million). Despite the 
substantial fall in revenues, EBITA before exceptional items 
was down only 4% at £202 million (2008: £211 million) as 
£169 million of cost savings helped to mitigate the revenue 
decline. Most of the key profit measures were held leading 
to adjusted earnings per share of 1.8p (2008: 1.8p).

Revenue and EBITA before exceptional items by reportable 
segment are as follows:

Broadcasting & Online revenue
Broadcasting & Online EBITA*
ITV Studios revenue
ITV Studios EBITA*
Other revenue
Other EBITA*
Total revenue
Total EBITA*
Adjusted profit
Adjusted earnings per share

*Before exceptional items.

 2009 
£m
1,543
111
335
91
1
–
1,879
202
70
1.8p

2008 
£m
1,683
120
306
90
40
1
2,029
211
71
1.8p

Change 
£m
(140)
(9)
29
1
(39)
(1)
(150)
(9)
(1)
–

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review   

35

The television advertising market overall was down 11% in 2009, 
following a decline of 5% in 2008. ITV plc outperformed the 
wider market with NAR decline of 9% and, as a result, increased 
its share of UK television advertising to 44.7% (2008: 43.8%). 
Nonetheless ITV NAR decreased by £134 million to £1,291 million 
(2008: £1,425 million). In effect, ITV’s outperformance of the 
market was worth £26 million compared to the decline in ITV’s 
revenues had they performed in line with the overall market 
(see below). 

ITV net advertising revenues (NAR)

£1,450m

£1,400m

£1,350m

£1,300m

£1,250m

£1,200m

£1,150m

2008

Market
impact

ITV
outperformance

2009

Under the Contract Rights Renewal remedy, advertisers are 
entitled to reduce their advertising share commitment to ITV1 
in proportion to the decline in ITV1’s share of commercial 
impacts (SOCI) the previous year. For all adults, ITV1 SOCI 
declined by 6% during 2008. In the event, across 2009 ITV1 NAR 
decline ran relatively close to overall market decline, down by 
12% at £993 million (2008: £1,126 million), reflecting a strong 
on-screen performance and a successful outcome to the 
advertising deal round.

ITV’s digital channels – ITV2, ITV3, ITV4 and CITV – increased 
their advertising revenues by 1% to £245 million (2008: 
£242 million). In the context of significant market decline, 
this represents a strong performance and reflects consistent 
growth in digital channel SOCI, which in 2009 reached 9.5% 
(2008: 8.8%). GMTV NAR was down 5%. GMTV outperformed 
the wider television advertising market as revenues include a 
high proportion of categories, including retail and food, which 
were stronger than the wider market across the year.

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 Ian Griffiths 
Group Finance Director

Sponsorship income was £59 million (2008: £58 million). 
Although closely related to advertising, sponsorship tends 
to be committed under longer term contracts which can 
mitigate the impact of advertising market movements 
in the short-term.

Minority revenues comprise ITV Network programme sales to 
Channel 3 licences not owned by ITV (STV, UTV and Channel). 
Minority revenues were £16 million lower than in the prior year 
partly reflecting lower schedule costs, but also as a result of 
STV’s decision to opt out of more of ITV1 drama.

Media sales, PRS and other income comprise revenues from 
premium rate telephony services, airtime sales on behalf of 
third-parties and interactive transactions associated with ITV 
and GMTV programming. Revenues were held flat despite the 
weak market. Whilst the volume of viewer interactions increased, 
PRS revenues declined due to an increase in the use of free 
online voting. 

SDN revenues were £44 million (2008: £33 million). The increase 
in revenues reflected the launch of a tenth videostream and 
new contracts with Discovery and Virgin Media coming into 
effect during the year. 

Online revenue, which primarily comprises itv.com advertising 
revenues, revenues from video on demand deals with BT and 
Virgin Media and Friends Reunited revenues, was held flat 
for the year. 

Revenues from itv.com increased by 33% to £24 million, 
reflecting increased video advertising revenue. itv.com video 
views were up by 150% to 215 million over the year, with key 
programme drivers including Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor 
and Coronation Street. Prices for itv.com video advertising 
retained a premium to television and other market competitors, 
but reduced during the year as online video inventory increased. 

Friends Reunited revenues fell by 28% to £13 million, due in 
part to the loss of subscription revenues from the core reunions 
site following its move to a fully advertising funded model in 
May 2008. 

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review

36

Broadcasting & Online costs 
Broadcasting & Online costs break down as follows:

ITV1
Regional news and non-news
Total ITV1 
ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, CITV
GMTV
Total schedule costs

Other costs
Total costs

2009 
£m
797
68
865
110
31
1,006

2008 
£m
867
112
979
112
34
1,125

Change 
£m
(70)
(44)
(114)
(2)
(3)
(119)

426
1,432

438
1,563

(12)
(131)

Schedule costs
Total ITV schedule costs reduced by £119 million in 2009 to 
£1,006 million (2008: £1,125 million) with ITV exceeding its 
stated savings targets of £105 million across network and 
regional programming. 

ITV1 schedule costs declined by £70 million. Digital channels 
and GMTV schedule costs reduced by £5 million in total. In 
February 2009, ITV launched the new regional service moving 
from 17 separate 6.00 pm regional news half hours to nine 
programmes. As a result of this ITV delivered £44 million 
of savings. 

Other Broadcasting & Online costs
Other Broadcasting & Online costs of £426 million (2008: 
£438 million) include industry and regulatory costs, as well as 
staff and overhead costs. The year-on-year decline is from cost 
savings delivered as part of the efficiency review and lower 
licence fees of £22 million (2008: £30 million). Some of these 
savings were offset by increased investment in transmission, 
HD and other development investment. 

Broadcasting & Online EBITA before exceptional items
Broadcasting & Online EBITA before exceptional items for 
2009 was £9 million lower at £111 million (2008: £120 million), 
with the decline in NAR offset by the delivery of targeted 
efficiency savings, increased SDN profits and the closure 
of underperforming online businesses.

ITV Studios

ITV Studios revenues 

UK production
Resources
International production
Distribution and exploitation
Total external revenue
Original supply to ITV
Total revenue 

2009 
£m
58
13
138
126
335
262
597

2008 
£m
68
17
98
123
306
316
622

Change 
£m
(10)
(4)
40
3
29
(54)
(25)

ITV Studios revenue includes original productions for the UK 
and international markets, the distribution and exploitation 
of internally generated and acquired rights, and studios 
and facilities revenue.

Total external sales were £335 million (2008: £306 million). 
Including original supply to ITV, total revenues were 
£597 million (2008: £622 million).

Original UK production for other broadcasters was £58 million 
(2008: £68 million), as other UK broadcasters reduced 
commissioning budgets and changed genre mix. 

International production revenues increased by 41% to 
£138 million (2008: £98 million). Growth was particularly strong 
in the US and Swedish production businesses, reflecting local 
versions of I’m A Celebrity for the US, Sweden and India. 
Commissioning cycles suggest that these productions are 
unlikely to return in these territories in 2010, but they remain 
active prospects for 2011. 

Distribution and exploitation sales were £126 million (2008: 
£123 million), including a significant co-production deal for 
The Prisoner for AMC. DVD sales in the UK were relatively 
robust but international sales declined year-on-year. 

External revenues benefited from a favourable £16 million 
foreign exchange movement across international production 
and a further £7 million positive movement in distribution 
and exploitation. 

Programming made by ITV Studios for ITV channels is not 
included in reported ITV plc consolidated revenue as it represents 
an internal programming cost of sale. In 2009 internal 
programming amounted to £262 million of ITV network 
programme spend (2008: £316 million). As ITV responded 
to the advertising downturn by reducing its schedule costs, 
there was a loss of, or reduction in, episodes for a number 
of established ITV commissions, including Heartbeat, Lewis 
and The Royal. These losses were only partially offset 
by new commissions, such as Piers Morgan’s Life Stories. 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review   

37

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ITV Studios EBITA before exceptional items
ITV Studios EBITA before exceptional items was £91 million 
(2008: £90 million). Underlying margins have been impacted 
by the change in programme mix and reduced ITV supply, and 
by pricing pressures in production and distribution worldwide. 
However, these pressures have been offset by delivery of 
significant targeted cost savings and a trading foreign 
exchange gain of £3 million. In addition, a £2 million increase 
in development generated a range of options, pilots, and new 
business streams that are live prospects in 2010 and beyond. 

Operating exceptional items

Reorganisation and restructuring
PRS
Pension scheme changes
Onerous contract provision
Onerous property provision
Kangaroo closure costs
Total operating exceptional items

2009 
£m
(40)
–
110
(1)
(14)
(2)
53

2008 
£m
(40)
(6)
–
(50)
–
(1)
(97)

Net operating exceptional income in the year was £53 million 
(2008: cost of £97 million). 

These include £40 million of reorganisation and restructuring 
costs associated with the previously announced efficiency 
savings programmes. 

Pension scheme changes have taken place following consultation 
with the scheme members to implement a cap on increases 
to pensionable salary levels for active members and to offer 
retired members the option of altering the structure of their 
pension by receiving an uplift now in return for giving up 
rights to future annual increases. Both of these changes will 
reduce the future costs and risks of operating the pension 
schemes and have resulted in a gain of £110 million to the 
income statement. 

The onerous property provision in 2009 of £14 million relates 
to the vacation of large parts of the Gray’s Inn Road office, 
following headcount reductions and consolidation of ITV’s 
London property into the Southbank.

STV Group plc (STV)
Over the course of 2009, ITV and STV have become involved in 
a series of legal disputes with pleadings filed by each side. 
Based on its view of these matters, ITV believes that it is owed 
approximately £20 million net under these claims. ITV is 
confident in the basis of its claims, supported by legal opinion 
and advice, and intends to pursue resolution of these issues to 
a satisfactory outcome. Therefore no provision has been made. 
In reaching this view ITV notes that STV has recently completed 
a re-financing of its business. In not providing against the 
recoverability of these balances, ITV is relying on its expectation 
that STV will file unqualified financial statements prepared 
on a going concern basis in due course.

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets

Total intangible assets at 31 December 2009 are £1,030 million 
(2008: £1,140 million), being goodwill of £711 million (2008: 
£749 million) and acquired and internally developed intangible 
assets of £319 million (2008: £391 million). The net movement 
in goodwill of £38 million has resulted from the transfer of 
£34 million to assets held for sale regarding Friends Reunited 
and £4 million in relation to the disposal of Enable Media Limited. 

No impairment charge for goodwill has been recognised in 
2009 (2008: £2,695 million including £57 million as required by 
IAS 12). The total amortisation charge for the year on acquired 
and internally developed intangible assets is £59 million 
(2008: £66 million). 

Net financing costs

Financing costs directly attributable to bonds
Cash-related net financing income
Cash-related financing costs
Amortisation of bonds
Adjusted financing costs
Mark-to-Market on swaps and foreign exchange
Imputed pension interest
Other financing income/(costs)
Net financing costs 

2009 
£m
(74)
1
(73)
(6)
(79)
(7)
(15)
10 
(91)

2008 
£m
(99)
24 
(75)
(2)
(77)
31 
16 
(30)
(60)

Reported net financing costs are £91 million (2008: £60 million). 
Adjusted financing costs on the new definition are £79 million 
(2008: £77 million). 

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review

38

Loss on sale, net of impairment, of subsidiaries 
and investments
There is a £51 million net loss on the sale and impairment 
of subsidiaries and investments for the year (2008: gain 
of £6 million), which largely relates to the impairment of 
Friends Reunited (£32 million), but also impairments to the 
Group’s investment in its associate ITN, and Carlton Screen 
Advertising. 

Tax 

The total tax credit of £69 million (2008: credit of £178 million) 
arises as a result of the resolution of prior periods’ tax liabilities, 
principally in the US.

The adjusted rate of tax on adjusted profits is 32% as 
shown below:

Profit before tax as reported
Operating exceptional items (net)
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets*
Non-operating exceptional items
Adjustments to net financing costs
Adjusted profit before tax

Tax credit as reported
Net charge for exceptional and other items
Credit in respect of amortisation and impairment 
of intangible assets*
Credit in respect of adjustments to net financing costs
Credit in respect of prior period items
Other tax adjustments
Adjusted tax charge
Adjusted rate of tax

*Amortisation of intangible assets arising from business combinations.

2009 
£m
25
(53)
51
73
12
108

2009 
£m
69
21

(14)
(3)
(82)
(26)
(35)
32%

Cash-related financing costs directly attributable to bonds 
of £74 million (2008: £99 million) have reduced in the year due 
to the changes made to the Group’s debt profile and lower 
interest rates. Other net income is lower in 2009 due to lower 
interest rates. In 2009, cash on deposit was earning an average 
return of less than 1%, compared to 5% across 2008. Non-cash 
amortisation principally relates to the 2014 Eurobond, 2015 
Bond tap and 2016 Convertible Bond, each of which will accrete 
up to par value over the life of the bond. 

The difference between the reported net financing costs and 
adjusted financing costs largely relates to mark-to-market 
on swaps, foreign exchange on bonds, the imputed pension 
interest and other financing costs. The £7 million charge 
(2008: £31 million gain) relating to mark-to-market on swaps 
and foreign exchange on bonds, is as a result of increases in 
the implied interest rates at the end of 2009, compared to 
the end of 2008. 

The 2009 charge for non-cash imputed pension interest was 
£15 million, a movement of £31 million compared to 2008. 
This is as a result of a combination of a reduction in the 
expected return on pension assets and an increase in the 
expected interest cost on liabilities. 

Other financing costs include the amortised cost adjustment of 
£10 million, representing the unwind of part of the £30 million 
charge taken in 2008, when decline in ITV’s credit rating to sub 
investment grade resulted in a step-up in the coupon rate of 
some of ITV’s bonds. These costs also include the gains and 
losses from bond buy-backs during the year and the bond 
exchange in June, and the effective interest on the unwind 
of the discount on the sports provision. 

Results of joint ventures and associates

The total value of the Group’s investments in joint ventures 
and associates at 31 December 2009 is £5 million (2008: 
£66 million). The decline in the value primarily relates to the 
transfer of Screenvision US (£47 million) to assets held for 
sale following the decision to actively market the investment. 
Losses of joint ventures and associates recognised in the 
income statement in the year are £7 million (2008: loss of 
£15 million). The losses in 2009 largely related to Screenvision 
US, Freesat and ITN.

Non-operating exceptional items

Loss on sale and impairment of non-current assets
The charge of £22 million (2008: £17 million) results from 
the impairment of non-current assets, primarily leasehold 
improvements, relating to the regional news restructure 
and the partial vacation of the Gray’s Inn Road building. 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review   

39

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Cash flow, working capital management 
and net debt

Cash flow and working capital management
Cash and working capital management has been a key focus 
in 2009. Although EBITA before exceptional items were broadly 
flat, ITV’s adjusted cash flow is £200 million more than the 
previous year. The key to this was a significant improvement 
in working capital where there was an inflow of £121 million 
(2008: outflow of £67 million). The majority of the working 
capital improvement came through reduced inventory levels 
for programme and distribution rights, as a result of managing 
commitments and just-in-time commissioning. The ‘profit to 
cash’ ratio increased substantially from 75% in 2008 to 177% 
in 2009. Going forward, it is expected that the ‘profit to cash’ 
ratio on a rolling three-year basis will be at least 90%.

EBITA before exceptional items (‘profit’)

Decrease/(increase) in programme rights 
and other inventory and distribution rights
Decrease/(increase) in receivables
(Decrease)/increase in payables
Working capital movement

Depreciation
Share-based compensation
Cash generated from operations*

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 
(‘capex’)
Adjusted cash flow

2009 
£m
202

125
11
(15)
121

38
11
372

(14)
358

2008 
£m
211

(82)
(34)
49
(67)

36
10
190

(32)
158

‘Profit to cash’ ratio

*Before exceptional items.

177%

75%

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are 2.3 pence (2008: loss per share of 
65.9 pence). Adjusted earnings per share (as defined earlier) 
are 1.8 pence (2008: 1.8 pence).

Reconciliation between reported and adjusted earnings

EBITA pre exceptionals
Exceptional items
Amortisation and impairment
Financing costs
JVs and associates
Profit before tax
Tax
Profit after tax
Non-controlling interests
Earnings
Number of shares
Earnings per share

Adjustments
£m
–
20
51
12
–
83
(104)
(21)
–
–

Reported
£m
202
(20)
(59)
(91)
(7)
25
69
94
(3)
91
3,882
2.3p

Adjusted
£m
202
–
(8)
(79)
(7)
108
(35)
73
(3)
70
3,882
1.8p

The £20 million exceptional items are the operating exceptional 
profit of £53 million less £22 million loss on sale and impairment 
of non-current assets and less £51 million of loss on sale, net 
of impairment, of subsidiaries and investments as described 
earlier in this review.

The tax and financing costs sections of this review explain 
the adjustments to these balances. 

Dividend

At the 2009 interim results the Board decided that, due to the 
uncertain economic context and its impact on the UK television 
advertising market, it was prudent to not declare an interim 
dividend. The trading outlook remains uncertain and ITV still 
has significant debt and pension obligations. As a result, the 
Board is not proposing the payment of a final dividend. 
The total dividend for the year is therefore nil pence per 
share (2008: 0.675 pence per share). 

Assets and disposal groups held for sale

During the year the Group confirmed that it was actively 
marketing for sale its 100% owned subsidiary, Friends Reunited; 
the joint ventures, Screenvision US and Screenvision Europe; 
and ITV properties in Bedford, Birmingham and Bristol. 

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review

40

Net debt
Net debt has fallen by £118 million to £612 million with 
£358 million of adjusted cash flow, arising from the focus on 
working capital management, which has more than offset 
some significant one off cash payments required in 2009.

Net debt at 31 December 2008
Adjusted cash flow
Net interest paid
Exceptional cash
Taxation net receipts
Equity dividends paid
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Defined benefit pension deficit funding
Other
Net debt at 31 December 2009

£m
(730)
358
(76)
(63)
41
(25)
(73)
(31)
(13)
(612)

The main one off cash outflows were: £63 million of cash costs 
in relation to the cost of change and efficiency review; net tax 
receipts of £41 million reflecting taxation repayments for prior 
periods which more than offset payments made for the 
current period; equity dividends of £25 million relating to the 
2008 interim dividend; £50 million final payment due under 
the Friends Reunited earn out; and £23 million for acquiring 
the 25% of GMTV not already owned. 

Liquidity risk and going concern

The sections on pages 40, 41 and 42 regarding liquidity risk 
and going concern form part of the audited accounts. 
See section 1.1 – Basis of preparation in Accounting policies. 
The Group’s financial risk factors are set out in note 23 to 
the financial statements.

The Group has a high degree of operational gearing and is 
exposed to the economic cycle. It is also highly regulated, in 
particular in respect of television advertising sales. It competes 
for advertising revenues, not only with other commercial 
television channels, but also with other forms of display 
advertising, in particular online. These factors combined with 
technological change, in particular the migration to digital 
television, have resulted in declining profitability since 2005 
and consequent downward pressure on ITV’s credit rating. 
In the second half of 2008, ITV’s credit ratings were lowered 
from investment grade (BBB-/Baa3) to sub investment grade 
(BB+/Ba1) as the economy weakened and television advertising 
revenues declined.

With the decline in television advertising revenues and the 
wider economic uncertainty, ITV faced significant funding 
risk at the start of 2009. Given the operational gearing of the 
business, ITV was at risk of further credit-rating downgrades 
and of breaching financial covenants under the Group’s 
undrawn £450 million syndicated bank facility. In the context 
of wider credit market conditions, ITV could not take for 
granted that it could obtain finance from the capital markets, 
nor could it expect its banks to relax the financial covenants in 
the bank facility. Whilst ITV had sufficient cash to repay the 
£250 million bond in March 2009, it needed to strengthen its 
liquidity position to ensure that it could cover the repayment 
of the €500 million 2011 bond and thus allow the Group scope 
to restructure and recover.

Funding
Alongside the cost saving programme and concerted focus 
on working capital management, ITV also ran a number of 
initiatives during 2009 to strengthen liquidity, extend its debt 
maturity profile and improve the Group’s financial ratios. 
These comprised raising further covenant-free finance 
without going to the public markets, undertaking a tender and 
exchange offer and various bond buy-backs. The table below 
sets out these initiatives and further details can be found in 
note 22.

2019 New bilateral facility
2009 Eurobond repaid
2013 Loan drawdown
2015 Bond tap
2011 Bond tender and exchange
2013 Loan repayment
2016 Convertible bonds
2011 Bonds partially repaid

Transaction date
February 2009
March 2009
March 2009
May 2009
June 2009
October 2009
November 2009
Nov/Dec 2009

£m 
50
(250)
125
58
(69)
(75)
132
(102)

ITV also retired its £450 million revolving credit facility during 
the year. 

Since the year end ITV has bought back €27 million of the 2011 
bonds and £42 million of 2015 bonds. 

 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review   

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As a result of these initiatives, ITV’s scheduled five year debt 
repayments (post swaps) were reduced from £695 million 
at the start of 2009 to £324 million at the year end.

ITV is financed using debt instruments with a range of 
maturities. ITV’s borrowings at 31 December 2009 (net of 
currency hedges and secured gilts) are repayable as follows:

Amount repayable
€118 million Eurobond* 
£110 million Eurobond
£50 million bank loan
€188 million Eurobond*
£425 million Eurobond
£135 million Convertible bond
£250 million Eurobond
£200 million bank loan** 
Finance leases
Total repayable

Maturity
October 2011
March 2013
May 2013
June 2014
October 2015
November 2016
January 2017
March 2019
Various

£m
38
110
50
126
425
135
250
62
73
1,269

*  Net of Cross Currency Swaps. 
** Net of £138 million (nominal) Gilts secured against the loan.

At the balance sheet date at 31 December 2009 ITV had 
£582 million of cash and cash equivalents. This figure excludes 
£4 million of cash held within the disposal group but includes 
£96 million of cash equivalents whose use is restricted to 
finance lease commitments and unfunded pension promises. 
Cash and cash equivalents also include £50 million held 
principally in overseas and part owned subsidiaries, which is 
therefore not readily accessible. At the reporting date ITV had 
a £75 million undrawn, covenant free, bilateral bank facility 
secured on advertising receivables available to May 2013. 
There are no financial covenants on any of ITV’s debt.

Maturity profile at December 2009 

circa £300m

£500m

£400m

£300m

£200m

£100m

0

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Convertible bond

Maturity profile at December 2008

circa £700m

£400m

£300m

£200m

£100m

0

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review

42

Going concern
As a result of the funding activities undertaken and the 
improvements in working capital, the Group has reduced its 
current level of net debt and has also improved both its 
short-term and medium-term liquidity position. The Group 
continues to review forecasts of the television advertising 
market to determine the impact on ITV’s liquidity position. 
At 31 December 2009, while the television market continues 
to present challenges to the Group’s liquidity, ITV has taken 
decisive actions to mitigate this impact and, during 2010, will 
continue to evaluate opportunities to push out maturity and 
create further headroom. The Group’s forecasts and projections, 
taking account of reasonably possible changes in trading 
performance, show that the Group should be able to operate 
within the level of its current financing. ITV’s forecasts 
have been prepared on a more cautious basis than external 
market expectations.

After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Accordingly, the Group continues to adopt the going concern 
basis in preparing its consolidated financial statements.

Treasury operations and policies
A central department in London manages the Group’s treasury 
operations, following policies and procedures laid down by the 
Board. The most significant treasury exposures faced by ITV 
are raising finance, managing interest rate and currency 
positions and investing surplus cash in high quality assets. 
Treasury policies have been approved by the Board for 
managing each of these exposures including levels of authority 
on the type and use of financial instruments. Transactions 
are only undertaken if they relate to underlying exposures. 
The treasury department reports regularly to the Audit 
Committee and treasury operations are subject to periodic 
reviews. Despite not having a lending facility ITV has 
established and retains strong relationships with a number 
of banks to ensure a balanced spread of risk and to facilitate 
future funding requirements. 

Set out below are ITV’s principal treasury policies:

 –

 –

 –

 –

 ITV’s financing policy is to fund itself long-term 

Financing:
using debt instruments with a range of maturities. It is 
substantially funded from the UK and European capital 
markets and has a bilateral bank facility;

 the Group’s interest rate policy 

Interest rate management:
is to have between 50% and 70% of its total indebtedness 
at fixed rates over the medium term in order to provide a 
balance between certainty of cost and benefit from low 
floating rates. ITV uses interest rate swaps and options in 
order to achieve the desired mix between fixed and floating 
rates. The funding and liquidity activities undertaken by 
ITV in 2009 resulted in the issuance of fixed rate debt and 
the retirement of a portion of floating rate debt. ITV has 
applied the policy to total gross indebtedness thereby 
excluding cash which is currently treated as a deduction 
from floating rate debt and on which low levels of interest 
are being achieved;

 where currency exposures exist, 

Currency management:
the Group’s foreign exchange policy is to hedge foreign 
currency denominated costs at the time of commitment 
and to hedge a proportion of foreign currency denominated 
revenues on a rolling 12-month basis. The policies significantly 
reduce the Group’s earnings and balance sheet exposures 
to changes in exchange rates;

 ITV operates strict investment guidelines 

Investment in cash:
with respect to surplus cash and the emphasis is on 
preservation of capital. Counterparty limits for cash deposits 
are largely based upon long-term ratings published by the 
major credit rating agencies and perceived state support. 
Under the guidelines ITV can deposit up to £100 million 
for a period of three to six months with remaining deposits 
having a maturity of up to three months. 

Pensions

Reducing pension risk and uncertainty
As part of the strategy to manage the risks associated with the 
pension schemes, the Group implemented a programme of 
measures to manage the cost of providing the defined benefit 
arrangements and to provide greater security for the benefits 
that members have built up. These initiatives form part of a 
long-term strategy to manage the group pension liabilities 
and reduce the principal risks and uncertainties. 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Financial review   

43

The Group offered existing pensioners the opportunity to uplift 
part of their pension, in return giving up any rights to future 
annual increases on this part of their pension. This resulted in 
a past service pension credit of £38 million. The Group also 
launched an offer to active members to redesign their pension 
benefits. Members were offered a choice of capping any 
increases to their pensionable pay to a maximum of 1% per 
year or opting out of the defined benefit sections of the 
scheme to join the defined contribution section. This resulted 
in a curtailment gain of £72 million. These gains totalling 
£110 million are disclosed as exceptional operating income 
and have offset the deficit to an equal extent. The changes 
made will reduce the future costs and risks of operating the 
pension schemes. 

Since the year end we have also announced the launch of 
an enhanced transfer programme aimed at the deferred 
pensioner population, which if successful will further reduce 
the pension funding liabilities. 

Actuarial valuations and deficit funding
Full actuarial valuations are carried out every three years. The 
latest completed actuarial valuations of Sections B and C of the 
main defined benefit scheme were carried out as at 1 January 
2007 and, on the bases adopted by the trustees, both were 
in surplus with a combined surplus of £23 million or 5% of the 
liabilities in those sections. As a result of these surpluses no 
deficit funding payments are currently being paid into these 
sections. Actuarial valuations of Sections B and C are being 
undertaken as at 1 January 2010.

An actuarial valuation of Section A of the main defined benefit 
scheme was carried out as at 1 January 2008 and, on the bases 
adopted by the trustees, that section was in deficit to an 
amount of £190 million or 9% of the liabilities in that section. 
This deficit is being addressed by a recovery plan agreed with 
the trustees, under which the Company continues to pay 
£30 million in each of the five calendar years to 2013. The next 
valuation of Section A is due at 1 January 2011. 

IAS 19
The Group’s defined contribution schemes gave rise to an 
operating charge in 2009 of £4 million (2008: £4 million). 
The aggregate IAS 19 deficit on defined benefit schemes 
at 31 December 2009 was £436 million (2008: £178 million). 
This increase was primarily driven by a decrease in the discount 
rate applied to liabilities and an increase in the expected rate 
of inflation partially offset by higher than expected returns 
on scheme assets and the benefits from the actions taken 
in the year as set out above.

Trustees’ investment strategy
The trustees continue to review the investment strategy for 
the main defined benefit pension scheme. The asset allocation 
has changed during 2009 and holdings of equities have been 
moved to other return seeking assets. At 31 December 2009, 
47% of the assets of the defined benefit pension schemes were 
invested in return seeking assets and 53% in bonds and other 
interest-bearing investments. The trustees also use derivative 
instruments to hedge partial exposures to movements in 
interest rates, inflation and foreign exchange rates.

Movement in the pension deficit

International Financial Reporting Standards

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The Group has adopted International Financial Reporting 
Standards as adopted by the EU. The parent company financial 
statements continue to be reported under UK GAAP. They have 
been included in this report after the results of the 
consolidated group.

Ian Griffiths

£600m

£500m

£400m

£300m

£200m

£100m

0

Dec 
2008

Change in
liabilities

Change in
value of
assets

Pension
initiatives

Other

Dec
2009

 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009

44

Board of Directors

Archie Norman
Chairman

Mike Clasper CBE
Senior Independent Director

Appointment to the Board: 1 January 2010
Age: 55 (1 May 1954)
Committee membership: Audit, Nomination (Chairman), Remuneration

Appointment to the Board: 3 January 2006
Age: 56 (21 April 1953)
Committee membership: Audit, Nomination, Remuneration

External appointments: 
– Adviser to Wesfarmers Limited (2009) 
– Deputy Chairman of Coles Group (2007) 
– Chairman of HSS Hire Services Group (2007) 
– Founder, Aurigo Management Partners LLP (2006) 
– Senior Adviser to Lazard (2003) 
– Trustee of Cystic Fibrosis Trust (2009) 
– Governor, National Institute of Economic and Social Research (1997)

Previous experience: 
– Chairman of Energis (2002–2005) 
–  Member of Parliament (1997–2005). Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman 
of the Conservative Party (1998–1999); Shadow Minister for Europe (1999–
2000); Shadow Secretary of State for Department of Environment, Transport 
and the Regions (2000–2001); Founder, Policy Exchange (2001) 

– Chief Executive (1991–1996) and Chairman (1996–1999) of ASDA Group plc 
– Finance Director of Kingfisher plc (1986–1991) 
– Chairman of Chartwell Land plc (1987–1991) 
–  Non-executive director of British Rail (1992–1994), Railtrack plc (1994–2000), 

and Geest plc (1988–1991) 

– Partner, McKinsey and Co (1979–1986)

Qualifications: MA, MBA

External appointments: 
– Chairman of Which? Ltd (2008) 
– Chairman of HM Revenue & Customs (2008) 
– Chairman of West London Consortium (2006)

Previous experience: 
– Member of the Investor Board of EMI Group (2007–2008) 
–  Operational Managing Director of Terra Firma (2008)
– Member of the National Employment Panel (2006–2008) 
– Founder member, Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change 
– Chief Executive (2003–2006) and Deputy Chief Executive (2001–2003) of BAA plc
– President of Global Home Care, Procter & Gamble (1999–2001)

Qualifications: MA

Andy Haste
Non-executive director

Rupert Howell
Managing Director, 
ITV Brand and Commercial

Appointment to the Board: 11 August 2008
Age: 48 (1 January 1962)
Committee membership: Nomination, Remuneration

External appointments: 
Group Chief Executive of RSA Insurance Group plc (2003)

Previous experience: 
– Chief Executive of AXA Sun Life plc (1999–2003) 
– Director of AXA UK plc (life and pensions) (1999–2003) 
–  President and CEO, GE Capital Global Consumer Finance UK, Western Europe 

and Eastern Europe (1998–1999) 

– CEO of GE Capital Global Consumer Finance UK (1996–1998) 
–  President of National Westminster Bank US Consumer Credit Business 
(1995–1996), Senior Vice-President and Head of US Consumer Loan 
Products Division (1992–1995)

Appointment to the Board: 28 February 2008, joined the Group in 2007
Age: 53 (6 February 1957)
Committee membership: General Purpose

External appointments: 
– Director of the Advertising Association (2007) 
– Trustee, The Media Trust (2008)

Previous experience: 
–  President, EMEA and Chairman, UK and Ireland Group (2003–2007), Regional 

Director, EMEA (2006–2007) of McCann Erickson UK Group Limited 
–  President of the European Association of Communications Agencies 

(2006–2007) 

– Chief Executive of Chime Communications plc (1997–2002)
– Founder, Howell Henry Chaldecott Lury (1987–1997) 
–  Director of the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (1992–2000), 

President (2000–2001)

Qualifications: BSc Management Sciences, FIPA

The particulars above relate to directors in office at the date of this report. 
For a full list of directors who served during the year, please see page 48. 
Details of their interests in shares and share schemes are set out in the 
Remuneration report.

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  Board of Directors 

45

John Cresswell
Interim Chief Executive

Ian Griffiths
Group Finance Director

Appointment to the Board: 16 January 2006, joined the Group in 2000
Age: 48 (2 May 1961)
Committee membership: General Purpose

Appointment to the Board: 9 September 2008
Age: 43 (26 September 1966)
Committee membership: General Purpose

Previous experience: 
–  Finance Director (2006–2008), Interim Chief Executive (2006–2007) 

and Chief Operating Officer (2005–2006) of ITV plc 

– Chief Operating Officer of Granada Content (2004–2005) 
–  Non-executive director of The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic 

Grounds plc (2003–2007) 

–  Chief Operating Officer and Finance Director (2001–2004) and Director 

of Operations (2000–2001) of Granada Content

–  Chief Operating Officer (1998–2000) and Finance Director (1996–1998) 

of United Broadcasting and Entertainment Limited

– Finance Director of Meridian Broadcasting Limited (1993–1995)

Qualifications: BSc, ACA

Previous experience: 
– Group Finance Director of Emap plc (2005–2008) 
–  Senior finance roles held within Emap plc including Director of Financial 

Control (2000–2005) and Head of Finance at Emap Business 
Communications (1995–2000) 

– Manager in audit and corporate finance, Ernst & Young (1988–1994)

Qualifications: MA, ACA

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John Ormerod
Non-executive director

Baroness Usha Prashar CBE
Non-executive director

Appointment to the Board: 18 January 2008
Age: 61 (9 February 1949)
Committee membership: Audit (Chairman), Nomination, Remuneration

Appointment to the Board: 7 February 2005
Age: 61 (29 June 1948)
Committee membership: Nomination, Remuneration (Chairman)

External appointments: 
– Deputy Chairman and Chairman of audit committee of Tribal Group plc (2009) 
–  Non-executive director and Chairman of audit committee of 

External appointments: 
– Committee Member of the Iraq Inquiry (2009) 
– Chairman of the Judicial Appointments Commission (2005)

Computacenter plc (2007) and Gemalto NV (2006) 

–  Non-executive director and Chairman of Merlin Claims Services Holdings 

Limited (2007) 

– Trustee of The Design Museum (2006) 
–  Senior Independent Director and Chairman of audit committee of Misys plc 

(2005)

Previous experience: 
–  Non-executive director of Negative Equity Protection Holdings Limited 

(2007–2009), Millen Group Limited (2007–2009) and BMS Associates Limited 
(2004–2008) 

– Member of audit and retail risk control committees of HBOS plc (2004–2008) 
– Trustee of The Roundhouse Trust (2003–2008) 
– Chairman of Walbrook Group (2004–2007) 
– Chairman of audit committee of Transport for London (2004–2006) 
– Practice senior partner, London, Deloitte & Touche (2002–2004) 
–  Regional managing partner, UK and Ireland and senior partner, UK, 

Arthur Andersen (2001–2002) 

Qualifications: MA, FCA

Previous experience: 
– Non-executive director of the Cabinet Office (2006–2009) 
– Chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society (2002–2008) 
– Chancellor of De Montfort University (1996–2006) 
– First Civil Service Commissioner (2000–2005) 
–  Non-executive director of Unite Group plc (2001–2004) and 

Channel Four Television Corporation (1992–1999) 
– Chairman of the National Literacy Trust (2000–2005) 
–  Member of the BBC Educational Broadcasting Council (1987–1988), 
the Arts Council of Great Britain (1994–1997) and the Council Royal 
Holloway College London (1992–1997) 

–  Trustee of BBC World Service Trust (2002–2005) 
– Chairman of the Parole Board for England and Wales (1997–2000)

Qualifications: BA, Diploma in Social Administration

 
 
46 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009(cid:31)  
Corporate Governance 

ITV plc is subject to the requirements of the Combined Code on 
Corporate Governance adopted by the Financial Reporting Council (the 
Code) and seeks to comply with the voting guidelines of major 
institutional investors where appropriate. This report describes how the 
Company has applied the main principles set out in section 1 of the 
Code and is split into the following five sections: 

–  The Board; 

–  Conflicts of interest; 

–  Board effectiveness; 

–  Relations with shareholders; and 

–  How the Board operates. 

The Board considers that the Company has complied with the provisions 
of the Code with the following exceptions: 

–  Michael Grade was Executive Chairman until 31 December 2009, 
contrary to Code provision A.2.1. Following the appointment of 
Archie Norman as non-executive Chairman and John Cresswell  
as Interim Chief Executive with effect from 1 January 2010,  
the Company now complies with this provision. 

–  Archie Norman was appointed a member of the Audit Committee 
on 2 February 2010. This is to enable the Committee to remain 
quorate until Andy Haste is able to take up membership later in  
the year. At this point Archie Norman will resign as a Committee 
member ensuring compliance with Code provision C.3.1. 

The Board 
Composition and appointments 
The composition of the Board during 2009 is set out in the table on  
page 48. 

In April 2009 Michael Grade announced his intention to step down  

as Executive Chairman at the end of the year. As a result, the Board 
commenced a search for a non-executive Chairman and a Chief 
Executive. In November 2009 the Board announced that Archie Norman 
would take up the role of non-executive Chairman on 1 January 2010.  
On 28 January 2010, the Board made a further announcement that 
it had appointed Adam Crozier as the new Chief Executive, and that he 
would take up the role later in the year. Until this time, John Cresswell 
will act as Interim Chief Executive. Sir George Russell, Sir James Crosby, 
Heather Killen and Agnès Touraine stepped down from the Board with 
effect from 31 December 2009. 

The Board currently consists of three executive directors and five 
non-executive directors. Biographical details for each of the directors are 
set out on pages 44 and 45. 

Roles 
A summary of the roles of each of the Chairman, the Chief Executive 
and the Senior Independent Director are shown in the table on the right. 
Full job descriptions have been agreed by the Board. 

Tenure 
All directors are required by the Company’s Articles of Association to  
be elected by shareholders at the first Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
following their appointment by the Board. Subsequently, all directors 
are subject to re-election by shareholders at least every three years. 
Archie Norman, who has a contract of service with the Company,  
will be seeking election at the AGM on 7 May 2010. 

Outside appointments 
With the approval of the Board, executive directors may accept external 
appointments as non-executive directors of other companies and retain 
any related fees paid to them. Details of fees received by executive 
directors during 2009 can be found in the Remuneration report .  

Role 
Chairman 

Description 
Archie Norman’s principal responsibilities are to: 

–  lead the Board, ensuring that it is effective in 

setting and implementing the Group’s direction 
and strategy; and  

–  act as the Company’s leading representative for 

all key shareholders.  

The Board is satisfied that his other professional 
commitments do not interfere with the performance 
of his duties for the Company. 

John Cresswell, as Interim Chief Executive, has 
responsibility for the performance of the Company’s 
businesses, as dictated by the overall strategy agreed 
by the Board.  

Mike Clasper’s principal responsibilities are to: 

–  act as Chairman of the Board when the Chairman 

is conflicted;  

–  act as a conduit to the Board for the 

communication of shareholder concerns when 
other channels are inappropriate; and 

–  ensure that the Chairman is provided with 

effective performance feedback. 

Chief Executive 

Senior 
Independent 
Director 

Non-executive directors 
The Board considers each of its current non-executive directors to be 
independent in both character and judgement. They constructively 
challenge and help develop proposals on strategy, and bring strong, 
independent judgement, knowledge and experience to the Board’s 
deliberations.  

The Board also considers that the non-executive directors are of 
sufficient calibre and number that their views carry significant weight  
in the Board’s decision making. 

Terms of engagement: non-executive directors all have a contract of 
service, and are appointed for an initial period of three years. At the third 
anniversary of appointment the director will discuss with the Board 
whether it is appropriate for a further term to be served, subject to the 
Board succession planning framework which provides that any further 
term may be adjusted in length should that be in the interests of an 
orderly succession of non-executive directors to the Board. The re-
appointment of directors who have served for more than nine years will 
be subject to annual review. 

Mike Clasper completed three years as a non-executive director in 
January 2009. It was agreed that he should serve a further term subject 
to the Board succession planning framework. 

Time commitment: non-executive directors are expected to commit  
18 to 20 days per annum. This includes attendance at Board meetings, 
Board committee meetings, the AGM, and an annual strategy away 
day. The Board is satisfied that each of the non-executive directors 
commits sufficient time to the business of the Company. 

Professional advice and Board support 
Directors are given access to independent professional advice at the 
Company’s expense when the directors deem it necessary in order for 
them to carry out their responsibilities. The directors also have access to 
the advice and services of the Company Secretary, who acts as 
secretary to the Board, and Group Secretariat who ensure that board 
processes and corporate governance practices are followed. 

Insurance and indemnities 
The Company maintains liability insurance for its directors and officers 
with a cover limit of £75 million which is renewed on an annual basis. 
The Company has also entered into deeds of indemnity with its 
directors. 

 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Corporate Governance   

47 

Conflicts of interest 
The Board is authorised to approve conflicts. It has delegated the 
authorisation of conflicts to the Nomination Committee and adopted  
a conflicts of interest policy.  

–  receive information about the Company’s corporate governance 

practices and procedures and the latest financial information about 
the Group; and 

–  are advised of their legal and other duties and obligations as a 

The policy outlines how conflicts will be dealt with and the process 

director of a listed company. 

for directors to follow when notifying the Company of an actual or 
potential conflict. When deciding whether to authorise a conflict or 
potential conflict of interest, only those that have no interest in the 
matter under consideration will be able to take the relevant decision.  
In addition, the Nomination Committee will be able to impose  
limits or conditions when giving authorisation where appropriate. 

The Board has considered in detail the current external 

appointments of the directors which may give rise to a situational 
conflict and has authorised potential conflicts where appropriate.  
This authorisation can be reviewed at any time but will always be 
subject to annual review. The Board is confident that these procedures 
operate effectively. 

Board effectiveness 
Performance evaluation 
The Board has established a formal process for the annual evaluation of 
the performance of the Board, its committees, and individual directors 
(with particular attention given to those who are due for re-election) in 
accordance with the requirements of the Code. The directors are made 
aware on appointment that their performance will be subject to an 
annual evaluation and that a director would not be put up for re-election 
at an AGM unless the Chairman has decided that they continue to 
perform effectively and show commitment to the role. 
  Some of the actions taken during the year resulting from the 2008 
evaluation include introducing more discussion on the corporate domain 
including the competitive and regulatory environment, giving more 
attention to stakeholder priorities and shareholder views, and reviewing 
the size and composition of the Board. 
  An internal evaluation of the effectiveness of the individual directors 
of the Board and its committees was carried out in 2009, led by the 
Senior Independent Director. The evaluation process included a 
confidential written questionnaire with questions covering a range of 
issues such as board structure, board processes, board roles and 
responsibilities, the Board’s relationship with management, board 
agendas, committee processes, individual effectiveness, training and 
continuing professional development. 

The results from the evaluation process were collated and passed to 
the Board for consideration. The review made the following suggestions, 
amongst others, for enhanced effectiveness: 

–  to simplify board reporting, ensuring that non-critical items are  

kept to a minimum allowing the Board to focus on key strategic and 
operational issues; and  

–  to focus on succession planning and leadership development. 

The Board will review the recommendations and adopt new processes 
and procedures during the year as appropriate. 

Induction and continuing professional development 
The Company has a policy and programme for induction and 
continuing professional development. On appointment, each director 
takes part in a comprehensive induction programme where they: 

–  receive information about the Group in the form of presentations  
by executives from all parts of the business and on the regulatory 
environment; 

–  meet representatives of the Company’s key advisers; 

–  receive information about the role of the Board and the matters 

reserved for its decision, the terms of reference and membership of 
board committees and the powers delegated to those committees;  

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This is supplemented by visits to key locations, including studios and 
regional sites, and meetings with key senior executives and with major 
shareholders where appropriate. 
  During their period in office, the directors are continually updated  
on the Group’s businesses and the competitive and regulatory 
environments in which they operate. This is done through: 

–  regular updates on changes affecting the Group and the market in 

which it operates through written briefings and meetings with senior 
executives across the Group and from meetings with key advisers;  

–  regular updates on changes to the legal and governance 

requirements of the Group and in relation to their own position as 
directors; and 

–  presentations given before board meetings on business matters and 
technical update sessions from external advisers where appropriate. 

The directors are expected to take responsibility for identifying their 
own professional development needs and to ensure that they are 
adequately informed about the Company and their responsibilities 
as directors. 

Relations with shareholders 
The Board attaches a high priority to effective communication with 
shareholders. In addition to the final and interim results presentations 
and the AGM, a series of meetings between institutional shareholders 
and senior management were held throughout 2009. In fulfilment of 
the obligations under the Code, the Chairman gave feedback to the 
Board on issues raised with him by major shareholders. This process will 
continue throughout 2010. 

The Company maintains a corporate website containing a wide 
range of information of interest to institutional and private investors. 
The Company has frequent discussions with institutional shareholders 
on a range of issues affecting its performance both following the 
Company’s announcements and in response to individual ad hoc 
requests. 

Save in exceptional circumstances, all members of the Board will 
attend the AGM and shareholders are invited to ask questions during  
the meeting and to meet with directors prior to and after the formal 
proceedings. At the meeting the Chairman will review the Group’s 
current trading. Notice of the AGM, together with any related 
documents, is made available to shareholders on the Company’s 
website or mailed to them, if they have elected to receive hard copies, at 
least 20 working days before the meeting. Separate resolutions are 
proposed on each substantially separate issue. At the meeting all 
resolutions are taken on a poll. The level of votes lodged on a resolution 
is made available on a regulatory information service and on the 
Company’s website at www.itvplc.com. 

The Company regularly seeks feedback on perception of the 

Company amongst its shareholders and the investor community more 
broadly via its corporate brokers. An independent Investor Audit was last 
undertaken in 2007 to assess investor and wider market perception of 
the Company. The Company is currently considering commissioning 
another review during 2010. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009(cid:31) Corporate Governance 

48 

How the Board operates 
Board meetings 
The number of meetings held during the year and attendance of 
directors is set out in the table below. Board members receive all papers 
tabled at meetings even if they are unable to attend. The Board 
approves annually a schedule of matters to be considered at each 
meeting and at each meeting of its Committees. 

Responsibility and delegation 
Specific responsibilities are set out in a schedule of matters reserved to 
the Board. These include:  

–  setting long-term objectives and corporate strategy and approving 

an annual budget; 

–  approving major acquisitions; 

–  approving major divestments and capital expenditure; 

–  approving appointments to the Board; 

–  reviewing systems of internal control and risk management; and 

–  approving policies relating to directors’ remuneration. 

Board Committees 
The Board has delegated certain responsibilities to the committees 
detailed on the following pages. The terms of reference for each 
committee are reviewed annually and the current versions are available 
on the Company’s website at www.itvplc.com. 

Audit Committee: see the report of the Audit Committee on page 50. 

Disclosure Committee: the Disclosure Committee comprises certain 
senior management of the Company. The function of the Committee, 
in accordance with the Company’s Inside Information Policy, is to ensure 
compliance with continuing obligations under the Disclosure and 
Transparency Rules and the Listing Rules through the timely public 
disclosure of material information. 

General Purpose Committee: the General Purpose Committee (formerly 
the Management Committee) comprises the executive directors. The 
Committee meets as required to conduct the Company’s business 
within the clearly defined limits delegated by the Board and subject to 
those matters reserved to the Board.  

Nomination Committee: see the Nomination Committee section on 
page 49. 

Remuneration Committee: see the Remuneration report on page 53. 

Board and Committee membership, and attendance at meetings in 2009 

Attendance in 2009 

Current directors 
Mike Clasper 
John Cresswell 
Ian Griffiths 
Andy Haste 
Rupert Howell 
Archie Norman 
John Ormerod 
Baroness Usha Prashar 
Directors who stepped 
down in the year 
Sir James Crosby 
Michael Grade 
Heather Killen 
Sir George Russell 
Agnès Touraine 

Status      

Date of appointment 
to Board 

Date of resignation 
from Board and Committees 

Independent    
Executive    
Executive    
Independent    
Executive    
Independent (1) 
Independent    
Independent    

3 January 2006 
16 January 2006 
9 September 2008 
11 August 2008 
28 February 2008 
1 January 2010 
18 January 2008 
7 February 2005 

Independent 
Executive 
Independent 
Independent 
Independent 

3 December 2003 
8 January 2007 
8 August 2007 
2 December 2003 
8 August 2007 

31 December 2009 
31 December 2009 
31 December 2009 
31 December 2009 
31 December 2009 

Notes: 
(1)   Independent on appointment to the Board. 
(2)  A number of additional Nomination Committee meetings were held in 2009 to discuss changes to the composition of the Board. 
(3)   Non-attendance has been due to illness or unavoidable prior commitments. 

Board 

Audit 
Committee 

8 

8 
8 
8 
8 
8 
– 
8 
7 

7 
8 
8 
8 
8 

6 

6 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
6 
– 

– 
– 
– 
6 
6 

Remuneration 
Committee 

Nomination 
Committee 
2(2) 

Strategy
day 

1 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
– 
1 
1 

– 
1 
1 
1 
1 

5 

– 
– 
– 
4 
– 
– 
– 
5 

5 
– 
5 
– 
– 

2 
– 
– 
1 
– 
– 
2 
2 

2 
– 
2 
2 
2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009(cid:31) Corporate Governance 

49 

Nomination Committee 
The Committee is comprised entirely of non-executive directors.  
The current members are: 

–  Archie Norman (Chairman) (appointed 1 January 2010) 

–  Mike Clasper 

–  Andy Haste 

–  John Ormerod 

–  Baroness Usha Prashar 

Sir James Crosby served as Chairman of the Committee until he 
stepped down from the Board on 31 December 2009 and Archie 
Norman took over as Chairman with effect from 1 January 2010. 
Heather Killen, Sir George Russell and Agnès Touraine also served on the 
Committee during the year until they stepped down from the Board on 
31 December 2009. Full details of attendance at Committee meetings  
can be found in the table on page 48. 

Role: the role of the Committee is to: 

–  review the structure, size and composition of the Board; 

–  identify and nominate for board approval, candidates to fill 

board vacancies; 

–  evaluate the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on  

the Board; 

–  consider succession planning for directors and other senior 

executives; and 

–  consider any conflicts of interest that may be reported by directors 

of the Company. 

Activities in 2009: the Committee focused on succession planning for 
the Board. The objectives of the succession planning framework are to 
ensure: 

–  board tenure is appropriate and encourages fresh thinking and 

new ideas; 

–  the Board has the appropriate mix of generalist and specialist skills 

for the Company’s changing requirements; and 

–  non-executive directors have the appropriate level of independence, 

from the executive directors and from each other. 

Following Michael Grade’s announcement of his intention to step  
down as Executive Chairman, the Committee commenced a search  
for a Chief Executive and a non-executive Chairman with the help of a 
professional search firm. Archie Norman was appointed Chairman with 
effect from 1 January 2010, and Adam Crozier will take up the position 
of Chief Executive on 26 April 2010.  
  The Committee will continue to review succession planning for key 
executives throughout the Group in 2010 to ensure an appropriate 
framework is in place. 

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  

50 

Audit Committee report 

Dear Shareholder, 

On the following pages we set out the Audit Committee’s report for 
2009. The report comprises four sections: 

–  Committee overview; 

–  Activities in 2009; 

–  Auditor’s independence and objectivity; and 

–  Internal control. 

Throughout 2009 the Audit Committee (the Committee) continued  
to monitor the integrity of the financial statements of the Company,  
to assist the Board in reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s 
internal control and risk management systems, and to review 
arrangements for its employees to raise concerns in confidence. 
The Committee has also been responsible for reviewing the 
effectiveness of the Company’s internal audit function and making 
recommendations to the Board in relation to the re-appointment and 
remuneration of the Company’s external auditor. 

The Committee works to a structured programme of activities  
with agenda items focused to coincide with key events of the annual 
financial reporting cycle, together with standing items that the 
Committee is required to consider regularly.  

This report has been written to give a full description of our 

activities in 2009. 

John Ormerod 
Chairman, Audit Committee 
3 March 2010 

Committee overview 
Composition 
The Committee is comprised entirely of non-executive directors. The 
current members are: 

–  John Ormerod (Chairman)  

–  Mike Clasper  

–  Archie Norman (appointed 2 February 2010) 

Mike Clasper served as Chairman of the Committee throughout 2009.  
In view of his role as Chairman of HMRC, discussions relating to the 
Company’s tax position were chaired by John Ormerod. Following Mike 
Clasper’s appointment as Senior Independent Director, John Ormerod 
took over as Chairman with effect from 1 January 2010. Archie Norman 
will only serve as a member of the Committee until Andy Haste is able 
to take up membership later in the year, in order to ensure the 
Committee remains quorate. 

Agnès Touraine and Sir George Russell served on the Committee 

during the year until they stepped down from the Board on 31 
December 2009. Full details of attendance at Committee meetings can 
be found in the table on page 48. 

The Code requires the Board to be satisfied that at least one member 

of the Committee has recent and relevant financial experience. The 
Board considered this requirement during 2009, and concluded that the 
wide range of business and financial experience of the Committee 
members as a whole, gained at the highest level of UK FTSE 100 
companies and other blue-chip organisations, was sufficient to enable 
the Committee to fulfil its terms of reference in a robust and 
independent manner. Biographical details of the members of the 
Committee including their qualifications are set out on pages 44 and 45. 
  At the invitation of the Chairman of the Committee, the Chief 
Executive, Group Finance Director, Group Financial Controller, Head of 
Internal Audit and representatives of senior management regularly 
attend Committee meetings. The Committee as a whole has the 
opportunity to meet privately with the internal and external auditors 
prior to meetings as required. 

Role 
The role of the Committee is to: 

–  monitor the integrity of the consolidated and parent company 

financial statements; 

–  review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control and risk 

management systems; 

–  review the Group’s arrangements for its employees to raise concerns, 
in confidence, about possible wrongdoing in financial reporting or 
other matters; 

–  monitor and review the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit 

function; and 

–  consider and make recommendations to the Board in relation to the 
appointment, re-appointment, replacement and remuneration of 
the Company’s external auditor. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Audit Committee report 

51 

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Activities in 2009 
The Committee’s activities during the year included: 

–  reviewing the Group’s financial statements (including detailed 

disclosures) prior to board approval; 

–  reviewing the appropriateness of the Group’s accounting policies  

and considering related accounting treatments in specific areas such 
as revenue recognition; 

Auditor’s independence and objectivity 
The Committee regularly monitors the other services being provided to 
the Group by its external auditor, and has developed a formal policy to 
ensure this does not impair their independence or objectivity which is 
available in full on the Company’s website at www.itvplc.com. 
  The policy is based on the five key principles which underpin the 
provision of other services by the external auditor. These are that the 
auditor should not:  

–  reviewing and approving the annual external audit process, the 

–  audit its own firm’s work;  

external auditors strategy and plan for the audit, considering the 
findings of that work and confirming that all significant matters  
had been satisfactorily resolved; 

–  make management decisions for the Group;  

–  have a mutuality of financial interest with the Group;  

–  reviewing the management letter arising from the 2008 year-end 

–  develop a close personal relationship with the employees of  

external audit; 

the Group; or  

–  monitoring regularly the non-audit services being provided to the 

–  be put in the role of advocate for the Group.  

Group by its external auditor. The Committee has approved a formal 
policy governing the independence of the Company’s external 
auditors and defining those non-audit services that may  
be provided to the Group, including those which require the prior 
approval of the Committee. This is explained further in the Auditor’s 
independence and objectivity section below; 

–  undertaking a review of the internal audit function, its plan and 

resources available. The internal audit plan is constructed by taking a 
risk based approach, encompassing financial, reputation, and broader 
macro-economic risks, with the review cycle designed such that 
financially material operations and areas of significant change are 
reviewed in a given year, with all activities reviewed at least once 
every three years. A decision was taken during the year to use 
external third parties to provide internal audit services in order to take 
advantage of the specialist resources available through use of 
consultants, and Deloitte were appointed to provide such services; 

–  considering internal audit reports, the actions taken to implement 
the recommendations made in those reports and the status of 
progress against previously agreed actions; 

–  reviewing the results of the Enterprise-wide Risk Management 
process, including consideration of a rolling programme of risk  
and internal control presentations made by each operating team 
and central service functions; 

–  continuing to monitor the implementation of the integrated  

finance processes and system; 

–  reviewing the Group’s technology function, resulting in a decision  
to outsource this area in 2010 resulting in further cost savings and 
efficiencies; 

–  reviewing the analysis supporting the carrying value of goodwill  

before consideration by the Board; 

–  reviewing the Group’s cash flow forecasts and facilities to support  

the going concern statement in the annual report before 
consideration by the Board. The going concern statement is 
contained in the Financial review on page 42; 

–  reviewing the effectiveness of the whistleblowing process through 

which the employees may, in confidence, raise concerns; 

–  considering regulatory and professional developments in respect  

of financial accounting and reporting; and 

–  receiving reports from the Treasury department on their activities. 

The Committee has pre-approved the categories of other services 
that may be performed by the external auditors and explicitly set out 
the categories of work that they may not perform. For this purpose 
auditing the accounts of subsidiaries and associates pursuant to 
legislation and other services provided pursuant to legislation are 
regarded as audit services.  

The policy sets a 1:1 ratio for the annual split between audit and 
other fees charged by the external auditor. Although the Committee 
believes that awareness of the 1:1 ratio is important, it is also of the view 
this should not act as a hard ceiling on non-audit fees but as a guide that 
may be exceeded from time to time to ensure flexibility so that the 
Company receives the best and most appropriate advice. Non-audit 
services will be subject to market tenders or tests and will be awarded  
to the most appropriate provider. Approval is required from the 
Committee Chairman for any engagement of the external auditor 
where the fee is likely to be in excess of £0.1 million. A report on the level 
of non-audit work is provided to the Committee half-yearly. Details of 
the related audit and other services are set out in note 4 of the 
consolidated financial statements.  

The Committee performs a specific evaluation of the performance 
of the external auditors annually, through assessment of the results of 
questionnaires completed by relevant senior management in addition 
to committee members’ own views of auditor performance. It is the 
Company’s policy to carry out regular market testing either through 
benchmarking or a form of audit tender. 
  During the year the Committee considered the tenure, performance 
and audit fees of the external auditor, and the level of non-audit work 
undertaken, and recommended to the Board that a resolution for the 
re-appointment of KPMG Audit Plc for a further year as the Company’s 
auditor be proposed to shareholders at the AGM in May 2009. The 
resolution was passed and KPMG Audit Plc were re-appointed for a 
further year. 

Internal control 
The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s systems of internal 
control and for regularly reviewing the effectiveness of those systems. 
The Committee assists the Board in reviewing the Group’s systems of 
internal control. The primary responsibility for the operation of these 
systems is delegated to management. Such systems can only provide 
reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement 
or loss. Key control procedures are designed to manage rather than 
eliminate risk and can be summarised as follows: 

–  Strategy and financial reporting: the Group performs a 

comprehensive annual strategy review and budgeting process.  
The executive directors review budgets and strategies and the  
Board approves the overall Group budget as part of its normal 
responsibilities. The results of operating units are reported monthly, 
compared with their individual budgets and forecast figures and 
are reviewed. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Audit Committee report  

52 

–  Organisational structure and authorisation procedures: the Group  

has an established organisational structure with clearly stated lines  
of responsibility and reporting. Authorisation procedures in respect  
of matters such as purchase commitments, capital expenditure, 
investment limits and treasury transactions are clearly defined. 

–  Control environment: financial controls and procedures are 
considered as part of the Group’s ongoing risk assessment 
process and are reviewed as part of the Group’s internal audit 
work programme. 

–  Risk assessment and management: management is responsible for 

identifying the risks facing the Company’s business and for 
establishing controls and procedures to monitor and mitigate those 
risks. As part of those controls and procedures, the Company has 
established an Enterprise-wide Risk Management (ERM) programme 
providing formal risk assessments. The ERM programme is  
co-ordinated through the Company’s Risk department and the 
Internal Audit function provides the assurance role reporting  
to management, the Committee and the Board.  

The ERM programme is being embedded within operational 
processes and will help to identify new business opportunities as  
well as provide risk analysis for all new projects and businesses.  
The annual ERM programme cycle passes through a number of 
phases as it escalates through the business. The Committee receive 
presentations from senior management covering the risks of the 
operating units. Following such presentations and review, senior 
management carry out a further risk consolidation process and then 
present the Company’s overall major risks to the Board for 
consideration of the top risks which are then disclosed in summary 
form within the published Report and accounts annually. Details on 
the Company’s key risks can be found on pages 30 and 31. 

–  Reviewing and monitoring the effectiveness of internal controls: 

controls are monitored by senior management, Internal Audit and 
the Committee. Directors of each business team are required 
annually to confirm compliance with internal control in their area. 
Serious control weaknesses (if any) are reported to the Board and 
actions taken as appropriate.  

The Committee is authorised by the Board to seek any information  
that it requires from any employee and to obtain, at the Company’s 
expense, independent legal or professional advice on any matter within 
its terms of reference and to call any employee to be questioned at a 
meeting of the Committee as and when required. The Committee 
members are subject to the programme of continuing professional 
development that applies to the full board. 

The Board is required to review, at least annually, all material internal 

controls including financial, operational, and compliance controls and 
risk management systems. The Board has conducted a review of the 
effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal controls for the year 
ended 31 December 2009. In the opinion of the Board, the Company 
has complied with the internal control requirements of the Combined 
Code throughout the year, maintaining an ongoing process for 
identifying, evaluating and minimising risk. 

Approval 
The Audit Committee report was approved by the Board on 3 March 
2010 and signed on its behalf by John Ormerod. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
53 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Remuneration report 

Dear Shareholder, 

On the following pages we set out the Remuneration report for 2009. 
The report comprises five sections: 

–  Committee overview; 

–  Remuneration policy; 

–  Delivering remuneration policy; 

–  Non-executive directors; and 

–  Detailed audited disclosures.  

During the year, the Remuneration Committee (the Committee) has 
endeavoured to ensure that arrangements remain focused, relevant 
and aligned with the need to create shareholder value over the short, 
medium and long-term. In taking decisions during 2009, the 
Committee has been mindful that the market in which the Company 
operates continues to be complex and challenging. The Committee 
would encourage shareholders to note the following: 

–  In considering the overall remuneration package for executive 

directors and senior executives of the Company (together the Senior 
Executive Group), the Committee looks to balance the need to 
attract and retain high quality talent with the need to be cost 
effective and to reward exceptional performance. As a result, a 
significant proportion of the Senior Executive Group’s remuneration 
is dependent on the achievement of stretching performance 
conditions that support the creation of shareholder value.  

–  In relation to 2009 performance, the Committee believes that the 

level of bonus awards are a fair reflection of Company performance 
during the year and in particular reflect the efforts made by the 
Senior Executive Group to maintain operational progress across the 
core business, reduce ITV’s cost base and manage cash and working 
capital, which have delivered strong financial results in a very 
challenging advertising market. 

–  In light of the current strategic review, we intend to undertake a full 
review of incentive plans during 2010 in consultation with major 
shareholders. The aim of the review will be to ensure incentive 
arrangements are strongly aligned with the priorities arising out  
of the strategic review and support the transformation of ITV. 

Further details are set out in full over the following pages. 

Baroness Usha Prashar 
Chairman, Remuneration Committee 
3 March 2010 

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Committee overview 
Composition 
The Committee is comprised entirely of non-executive directors.  
The current members are: 

–  Baroness Usha Prashar (Chairman) 

–  Mike Clasper (appointed 2 February 2010) 

–  Andy Haste  

–  Archie Norman (appointed 2 February 2010) 

–  John Ormerod (appointed 1 March 2010) 

Sir James Crosby and Heather Killen served on the Committee during 
the year until they stepped down from the Board on 31 December 
2009. Full details of attendance at Committee meetings can be found  
in the table on page 48. 

Role 
The role of the Committee is to: 

–  approve the remuneration strategy and policy for the Senior 

Executive Group; 

–  review the ongoing appropriateness and relevance of the 

remuneration policy; and 

–  approve the design of, and determine targets for, the Company’s 

annual bonus arrangements and share incentive plans, and 
determine the level of awards made under them as they apply  
to the Senior Executive Group.  

The Committee also maintains an active dialogue with shareholder 
representatives.  

Activities in 2009 
The Committee’s activities during the year included: 

–  ensuring that decisions taken in respect of the Senior Executive 

Group’s remuneration packages are sensitive to the activities being 
undertaken in the wider group, while also remaining appropriate in 
ITV’s commercial environment;  

–  considering the terms of remuneration for the roles of Chairman  

and Chief Executive; 

–  agreeing performance targets in relation to the 2010 bonus; and 

–  agreeing remuneration packages for the Senior Executive Group and 
termination arrangements for those individuals whose employment 
ceased.  

Advisers 
The Committee obtains advice from various sources in order to ensure  
it makes informed decisions. The Committee’s main advisers are set out 
below, and certain executives and other external advisers are invited to 
attend as appropriate. No individual is involved in decisions relating to 
their own remuneration. 

Adviser 
Andy Doyle,  
Group HR Director  

Deloitte LLP* 

Lovells LLP 

Towers Watson 

Area of advice 
Main internal adviser, provides updates on 
remuneration, employee relations and human 
resource issues affecting the Company. 
Independent advisers on remuneration policy and 
the external remuneration environment; providing 
performance testing for LTIPs. 
Legal matters. 
Salary benchmarking data. 

*During the year Deloitte also provided the Group with tax and corporate finance advice  
under separate engagement terms. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

54 

Remuneration policy 
As a company that operates in the particularly competitive media 
market, ITV aims to balance the need to attract and retain the high 
quality talent that is key to the Company’s success with the need to be 
cost effective and to reward exceptional performance. The Committee 
has designed a remuneration policy which balances these factors, while 
also taking into account prevailing best practice and investor 
expectations.  

In addition to the above, the remuneration policy for the Senior 

Executive Group is based on the following key principles:  

–  a significant proportion of remuneration should be tied to the 

achievement of specific stretching performance conditions which 
align remuneration with the creation of shareholder value;  

–  performance is measured over clearly specified time horizons, over 

the short, medium and long-term, and encourages executives to take 
action in line with the business strategy without taking excessive 
risks; and 

–  individuals should be rewarded for success and steps should be taken, 

within contractual obligations, to prevent rewards for failure. 
Payments to directors on termination will only reflect contractual 
obligations.  

When developing remuneration policy, the Committee obtains advice 
from the key advisers outlined on page 53. The Committee also 
considers the wider context of the Group when taking decisions.  

Components of reward 
The reward package for the Senior Executive Group consists of a 
combination of fixed and variable elements intended to provide 
motivation and reward for short, medium and long-term performance 
and to retain key executives over the longer term. Each component is 
intended to fulfil a different function within the remuneration 
framework as set out in the table below. Details of how these 
components are delivered is set out in the Delivering remuneration 
policy section. 

Components 
Fixed 
Base salary 

Pensions 

Function 

To recognise the individual’s skills and experience and 
provide a market competitive base reward. 
To provide an opportunity for executives to build up an 
income for retirement. 

Other benefits  To ensure remuneration is market competitive. 
Variable 
Short-term 
incentives 

To incentivise and reward exceptional performance 
against financial and non-financial annual targets that 
deliver value to shareholders. 
To drive sustained long-term performance that 
supports the creation of shareholder value. 

Long-term 
incentives 

By way of illustration, the balance between the fixed and variable 
elements of the total remuneration package (excluding pension) for 
executive directors is illustrated in the charts below. The charts illustrate 
the mix at both target and maximum performance and show the 
typical delivery of remuneration through cash and shares, over the short 
and longer term. Broadly there is a 50:50 split between fixed and 
variable pay at target performance and a 25:75 split at maximum 
performance, showing the high proportion of performance-related pay 
that is ‘at risk’ in the total remuneration package. 

Shareholder alignment 
The Committee continues to recognise the importance of executive 
directors aligning their interests with shareholders through the 
commitment of a significant amount of their own investment capital. 
Shareholding guidelines are in place, which encourage executive 
directors to build up and hold ITV plc shares with a value equivalent to at 
least 100% of their salary within five years of appointment. Details of 
the executive directors’ current personal shareholdings are shown on 
page 61. 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

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2010 Bonus: The Committee has set 2010 performance targets to 
ensure they are heavily weighted to corporate financial performance, 
and with a strong emphasis on ITV’s strategic goals. In setting these 
targets, the Committee has determined there will be no Bonus awards 
made if the Company’s profit is below a threshold level. In addition, the 
performance scales have been set such that maximum bonuses will 
only be paid for performance that is well above budgeted performance. 
It is anticipated that awards made to the executive directors for 2010 

performance will continue to be made partly in deferred shares and 
partly in cash. However, this may form part of the incentives review that 
will be undertaken during 2010. 

Long-term incentives 
The Committee keeps the Company’s long-term incentive plans under 
regular review to ensure they remain appropriate in fulfilling their 
objectives and that the performance conditions continue to represent 
the best way to drive the creation of shareholder value.  

The plans under which awards have been made to date, and are still 

outstanding, are: 

–  Performance Share Plan: this was the only long-term incentive used 
for awards made in 2009. Awards were made on 1 June 2009 after 
the cost savings review was completed, and were scaled back from 
historic levels to a maximum of 100% of salary. The performance 
conditions that apply to the 2009 awards are outlined in the table on 
page 56. The intention is to make awards under this plan in 2010. 

–  Turnaround Plan: no awards have been made under this plan since 

2008. Awards in the form of nil-cost options were made to a number 
of key senior executives in 2007 and 2008 with a maximum value  
of up to 550% of the individual’s salary. Individuals who received  
this award did not receive an award under the Company’s other  
long-term incentive plans in 2007 or 2008.  
  Up to 50% of the portion of the award subject to TSR (25% of the 
total award) was subject to performance over the three-year period 
to 31 December 2009. As the TSR condition was not met, 25% of the 
total award has lapsed. The balance will be tested at 31 December 
2011. 

–  Commitment Scheme: no awards have been made under this 

scheme since 2006. John Cresswell is the only executive director  
with outstanding awards. 

The table on page 56 outlines the key features of the above plans.  
The Company also operates an all employee Save As You Earn (SAYE) 
scheme. The executive directors’ participation in this scheme are set out 
in the Detailed audited disclosures section.  

In line with the Turnaround Plan (TP), a corresponding long-term 
cash-based incentive also exists for the wider employee population, not 
including participants in the TP, known as the Turnaround Incentive 
Opportunity, which is dependent on the same performance conditions. 

Performance graph 
The graph below shows the Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 
performance of the Company against the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 index 
over the five year period to 31 December 2009. Both indices have been 
shown as the Company has been a constituent of both over the 
previous five years. 

Delivering remuneration policy 
Base salary 
Market positioning of base salary is approached on an individual basis, 
and the Committee takes account of robust salary surveys and an 
individual’s skills before reaching its conclusions. The aim is for base 
salary to be set around market median, whilst recognising the need  
on occasion for an appropriate premium to attract superior talent. 

Executive directors’ base salaries are reviewed on an annual basis, 
effective from 1 January. In January 2010 the Company completed its 
annual pay review and concluded that there should be no increase in 
base salary for any ITV employees. This means the salaries of John 
Cresswell, Ian Griffiths and Rupert Howell have not increased since 2008.  

The base salaries for the executive directors are set out in the 

emoluments table in the Detailed audited disclosures section. 

Pensions 
As with other companies, the form in which pension benefits are 
delivered has changed for ITV in recent years. Since 2002, the Company 
has been offering a defined contribution pension scheme to all new 
employees. The majority of the Senior Executive Group receive their 
pension through defined contribution pension arrangements. The 
executive directors’ pension arrangements are set out on page 61. 

Other benefits 
Other benefits include private medical insurance and car related 
allowances which are offered where appropriate. 

Short-term incentives 
Annual incentives are provided for the Senior Executive Group through 
the ITV Annual Bonus Scheme (Bonus). The performance conditions 
that apply are set on an individual basis and are closely linked to the 
Company’s corporate, financial and strategic priorities. The Bonus 
extends to all ITV employees, providing a comprehensive and fully 
integrated bonus framework which rewards all employees when ITV is 
successful. 

The total Bonus opportunity for executive directors will not normally 

exceed 150% of a participant’s annual salary. Typically half of any  
pre-tax Bonus award to the executive directors has been automatically 
deferred into restricted shares or nil-cost options under the Deferred 
Share Award Plan (DSA), vesting 12 and 24 months after the end of the 
financial year to which the Bonus relates. Participants have been able to 
elect to take the balance of the Bonus in cash or as further share awards 
under the DSA. The DSA does not provide for any form of matching 
award. 

2009 Bonus: Bonus opportunities for the Senior Executive Group in 2009 
were designed to focus on profit generation (EBITA before exceptional 
items), cost savings, the efficient management of cash (profit to cash 
conversion) and employee engagement, with stretching targets set at 
the start of the financial year. In addition, the Committee determined 
that 2009 Bonus awards may be scaled back if profits were below a 
threshold level. In early 2009, it was also the Committee’s intention to 
make all awards wholly in the form of nil-cost options or restricted 
shares. 

ITV’s performance in 2009 in these key financial areas has been 
strong, particularly in a challenging advertising market. As set out in the 
Business review section, operational progress across the core business 
has been maintained, significant cost savings have resulted in profits 
being stabilised, and extensive efforts on cash conversion have resulted 
in improved cash and working capital management. As a result, all the 
financial targets set under the Bonus were met in full. The Committee 
has therefore determined that the 2009 Bonus awards will not be scaled 
back and believes the level of Bonus to be a fair reflection of the 
Company’s performance during the year. For executive directors awards 
will be made in the typical way with half being deferred into restricted 
shares under the DSA and the balance in cash.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

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Summary of long-term incentive plans 

Performance Share Plan  
(PSP) 
Co-investment requirements  None 

Turnaround Plan  
(TP) 
Requirement to: 
–  acquire a number of shares with a value of up to 
100% of salary within a specified period from  
date of grant; and 

–  hold the shares for the duration of the relevant 

performance period. 

Commitment Scheme  
(CS) 
Requirement to: 
–  acquire a number of shares with a value of up to 

300% of salary within a specified period from date 
of grant to receive a matching award comprised of 
either or both of a nil cost option and market value 
option each over a maximum of three times the 
number of shares committed; and 

–  hold the shares for the duration of the relevant 

performance period. 

Performance period 

–  three years from the date of grant. 

–  25% of total award – 1 January 2007 to 31 

–  up to 50% of the matching award – three years 

December 2009 (see page 55). 

from the date of grant. 

–  75% of total award – 1 January 2007 to 31 

–  remainder – four years from the date of grant. 

December 2011. 

Performance conditions 

75% TSR 
–  measured equally against two distinct 

50% TSR 
–  measured against a the customised FTSE 100 

100% TSR 
–  measured against the customised FTSE 100 

comparator groups drawn from the FTSE 250 
and a specific international industry peer group 
detailed in the notes on page 60. 

comparator group detailed in the notes on page 
60, excluding certain industry sectors that are less 
relevant as a benchmark of performance. 

comparator group detailed in the notes on page 
60, excluding certain industry sectors that are less 
relevant as a benchmark of performance. 

25% STRATEGIC 
–  measured in equal proportions against two 

50% STRATEGIC 
–  measured in equal proportions against four 

strategic targets, which for awards made on 1 June 
2009 were: 

Strategic target 
SOCI* (ITV Family) 
EPS Growth 

Threshold 

Maximum 

36.6% 
RPI +3% 

38.5% 
RPI +5% 

–  Earnings Per Share (EPS) growth will be measured 
over the relevant three year financial period with 
EPS for the 2008 financial year as the base year. 

strategic targets: 

Strategic target 
SOCI* (ITV Family) 
Revenue growth 

Adjusted EPS (in line 
with that reported in 
Group’s financial 
statements) 
Share price 

Threshold 
36.6% 
2% p.a. 
8p 

Maximum 
38.5% 
5% p.a. 
12p 

£1.35 

£2.25 

–  share price will be measured as an average over 
any 28 day period within the final three years 
of the TP. 

Vesting 

75% TSR 
–  Below median – nil 
–  Median – nil 
–  Upper quartile – 100% 
–  Vesting will occur on a straight line basis in 

between. 

50% TSR  
–  Below median – nil 
–  Median – 25% 
–  Upper quartile – 100% 
–  Vesting will occur on a straight line basis in 

between. 

100% TSR 
–  Below median – nil 
–  Median – 25% 
–  Upper quartile – 100% 
–  Vesting will occur on a straight line basis in 

between. 

25% STRATEGIC 
–  Threshold performance – 25% of the award 

50% STRATEGIC 
–  Threshold performance – 25% of the award 

relating to each target will vest 

relating to each target will vest 

–  Maximum performance – 100% of the award 

–  Maximum performance – 100% of the award 

relating to each target will vest 

relating to each target will vest 

–  Vesting will occur on a straight line basis 

–  Vesting will occur on a straight line basis 

in between. 

in between. 

Exercise period 

–  Once vested, awards can be exercised for  

–  Once vested, awards can be exercised until  

–  Once vested, awards can be exercised for up to  

12 months.  

31 December 2012.  

ten years from date of grant. 

–  Any portion of the award that does not vest or is 

not exercised will lapse. 

–  Any portion of the award that does not vest or is 
not exercised by 31 December 2012 will lapse and 
the TP will terminate. 

–  Any portion of the award that does not vest or is 

not exercised will lapse. 

Leavers 

Standard good leaver provisions apply (broadly relating to compassionate circumstances) and include pro-ration for service. If a participant ceases to be employed 
for any other reason, the award will lapse unless determined otherwise. 

Change of control 

Outstanding awards and options would normally vest and become exercisable on a change of control, subject to the satisfaction of any performance conditions. 
The proportion that vests may be capped depending on the time elapsed since grant. 

*SOCI as a measure of performance, and its importance to the business, is explained further in the Business review.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

57 

Non-executive directors 
Each non-executive director has a contract of service with the Company, 
further details of which can be found in the Corporate Governance 
section. Fees paid to the non-executive directors are determined by the 
Board based on market information supplied by Deloitte, and in 
accordance with the restrictions contained within the Company’s 
Articles of Association. Non-executive directors do not participate in 
decisions concerning their own fees. 

The fees are reviewed annually. The additional fee for membership 
of the Nomination Committee ceased from 1 January 2010. There were 
no changes to the level of fees paid during 2009, and none are proposed 
for 2010. The annual fees payable are as follows: 

Non-executive directors’ fees 
Board member 
Senior Independent Director  
Audit Committee member 
Audit Committee Chairman 
Remuneration Committee member 
Remuneration Committee Chairman 

£000 
55 
25 
5 
20 
5 
15 

Note: 
Details of committee membership can be found in the Corporate Governance section. 

From 1 January 2009 the non-executive directors have used 25%  
of their annual fees, after statutory deductions, to acquire shares in  
the Company. The shares are purchased quarterly and are held by a 
nominee on their behalf. The shares release when they retire from the 
Board. Details of their shareholdings can be found on page 61. 

Chairman 
Archie Norman joined the Company as Chairman on 1 January 2010.  
As announced at the time of his appointment, his remuneration will 
comprise a cash fee of £300,000 per annum and an annual award of 
400,000 shares over the initial three-year appointment term. He will  
not be required to apply a percentage of his cash fee to acquire shares 
as the Committee considers him to be sufficiently aligned with 
shareholders’ interests following his purchase of 380,000 shares on 
appointment, together with the share element of his remuneration. 

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Service contracts  
Executive directors have service contracts which provide for 12 months’ 
notice on either side. There are no special provisions that apply in the 
event of a change of control. 

John Cresswell 
Ian Griffiths 
Rupert Howell 

Date of appointment 
16 January 2006 
9 September 2008 
28 February 2008 

Nature of 
contract 
Rolling 
Rolling 
Rolling 

Notice period  
from Company  

Notice period 
from director 
12 months  12 months 
12 months  12 months 
12 months  12 months 

Compensation 
provisions 
for early 
termination 
None 
None 
None 

Note: 
The Company retains the right to terminate employment by making payment in lieu of notice, 
in which case the executive would be entitled to receive 12 months’ salary and benefits 
(including pension contributions). 

Executive directors’ non-executive directorships 
With specific approval of the Board, executive directors may accept 
external appointments as non-executive directors of other companies 
and retain any related fees paid to them. 

During the year Michael Grade retained fees for external non-

executive directorships as set out below: 

Company  
Pinewood Shepperton Plc 
Ocado Limited 

2009 
£000 
102 
100 

2008 
£000 
102 
100 

Payments to outgoing executive director  
When agreeing the terms of Michael Grade’s departure the Committee 
were keen to ensure that any payments made only reflected 
contractual obligations.  
  As Michael Grade indicated his intention to leave in April 2009 and 
stood down in December 2009, the Committee agreed he should 
receive payment for the residual four months of his contractual notice 
period to April 2010. However, the Committee determined that this 
payment should be made at the rate he would have been paid as  
non-executive Chairman, rather than his Executive Chairman salary.  
As a result, a payment of £167,000 was made on his departure. 

Michael Grade’s Bonus payment in respect of 2009 performance was 

assessed against performance targets set at the start of the financial 
year and calculated in line with the bonus payments for other executive 
directors as disclosed on page 55. The payment made is included in the 
emoluments table on page 58.  

Details of Michael Grade’s outstanding awards under the Company’s 
long-term incentive plans are outlined in the Detailed audited disclosures 
section. 

Interim Chief Executive 
John Cresswell was appointed to the position of Interim Chief Executive 
on 1 January 2010 and will hold the position until Adam Crozier joins the 
Company as Chief Executive on 26 April 2010. In order to reflect the 
increase in his responsibilities during this transitional period he will 
receive an additional allowance of £125,000 per annum pro-rata for the 
period he serves as Interim Chief Executive. 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

58 

Detailed audited disclosures 
The following tables provide details of each of the directors’ and former 
directors’ emoluments, pension entitlements, rights to share options 
and awards. All of these tables have been audited by KPMG Audit Plc. 

Aggregate directors’ remuneration  
The total amounts of directors’ remuneration for the period from  
1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009 were as follows: 

Emoluments 
Gains on exercise of share options 

2009
£000 
5,309  
1,092 

6,401 

2008 
£000 
2,893  
87 

2,980 

Notes: 
(1)  Gains on exercise figure for 2009 is higher as it shows both the nil-cost options awarded 
  under the 2008 Bonus vesting and being exercised, and the value on release of the 
  remaining restricted shares awarded under the 2007 Bonus. John Cresswell also exercised 
  his nil-cost options under the Granada Commitment Scheme during the year. Further 

information is contained in the tables on pages 59 and 60. 

(2)   The value on release of restricted shares awarded under the DSA will be included in the

  gains on exercise figure going forward in order to make year-on-year comparisons more 
  representative. The 2008 gains on exercise figure with this value included would have been 
  £504,000.

Directors’ emoluments 
The directors’ emoluments for the year ended 31 December 2009 are set out in the table below. The main reasons for the difference in total 
emoluments year-on-year are: 

2008 total emoluments: £2.9 million 

–  The total emoluments figure does not include any 2008 short-term incentives (Bonus), as they were awarded in nil-cost options under the DSA 

with no cash payments.  

–  The figures for Rupert Howell and Ian Griffiths are from the date of their appointment to the Board, in February and September 2008 

respectively. If the total emoluments figure for 2008 included their salary for a full year, as in 2009, then the 2008 total emolument figure is 
£3.2 million on a like-for-like basis. 

2009 total emoluments: £5.3 million 

–  The 2009 Bonus is higher as financial targets were met as described on page 53. 

Emoluments 

Notes 

1, 2 

 3, 7 

 3, 7 

Name of director 
Executive 
Michael Grade  
John Cresswell  
Ian Griffiths  
Rupert Howell  
Non-executive 
Mike Clasper 
Sir James Crosby 
Andy Haste  
Heather Killen  
John Ormerod  
Baroness Usha Prashar 
Sir George Russell 
Agnès Touraine  
Past director’s remuneration (for comparative purposes) 

Basic salary/ 
Fees 
£000 

Benefits in  
kind (4)
£000   

Pension 
contributions 
£000 

Short-term    
incentives     
(cash)(5)  
£000     

Total for the 
year ended 
31 December 2009 
£000 

Total for the 
year ended 
31 December 2008 
£000 

825 
575 
425 
450 

80 
100 
65 
65 
65 
75 
165 
65 
–  

63   
20   
13   
49   

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

74 
– 
64 
67 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

1,164   
363   
210   
267   

–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   
–   

2,126 
958 
712 
833 

80 
100 
65 
65 
65 
75 
165 
65 
–  

934 
599 
127 
474 

80 
100 
24 
65 
62 
75 
165 
65 
123 

Total emoluments 

2,955 

145   

205 

2,004   

5,309 

2,893 

Notes: 
(1)   Pension contribution represents a cash payment in lieu of pension and is described further in the pension entitlements section of this report. 
(2)   The benefits in kind figure includes a cash payment in lieu of accrued but unused holiday at the year end. 
(3)  Pension contributions represent payments made into Personal Pension Plans and are described further in the pension entitlements section of this report. 
(4)   This disclosure includes the cost of private medical insurance and car related benefits. 
(5)   Executive directors will receive a 2009 Bonus as follows. Michael Grade will receive 141% of salary and will be paid fully in cash. John Cresswell will receive 126% of salary and Rupert Howell  

  118.5% salary, with 50% paid in cash as shown above, and 50% awarded as restricted shares under the DSA. Ian Griffiths will receive 141% of salary, and has elected to take 65% as restricted  
  shares under the DSA and the remainder in cash. 

(6)  Non-executive directors’ fees include an element which is used to purchase shares as described on page 57. Details of their shareholdings are shown on page 61. 
(7)   The figures for 2008 reflect emoluments from the date of appointment to the Board which are set out on page 48. 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At 
1 January  
2009 

Awarded
 in year 

Exercised/ 
Released 
 in year 

Lapsed 
 in year 

At
31 December
2009 

Share price
used for
award
(pence) 

Exercise price
(pence) 

Date of exercise/ 
release  

Share price 
at date of 
exercise/ 
release 
(pence) 

Pre-tax gain at 
date of exercise/ 
release  
(£) 

Vesting date/
Exercise period 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

 59 

Directors’ interests in share options 
Information given in the table below is for the period from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2009. 

Notes 

Award date 
John Cresswell 
Deferred Share Award Plan  
14 March 2008 
24 April 2009 

1 
2 

241,491 

–  241,491 
–  264,314  264,314 
– 
  264,315 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
264,315 

65.30 
31.00 
31.00 

Performance Share Plan 
13 September 2006 
1 June 2009 

Turnaround Plan 
13 September 2007 

 3, A 
B 

607,595 

– 
–  1,608,392 

–  607,595 
– 
– 

– 
1,608,392 

98.75 
35.75 

4, A  2,849,100 

– 

–  712,275 

2,136,825 

111.00 

Save As You Earn scheme 
4 April 2008 
17 July 2009 

Commitment Scheme 
22 August 2003 
22 August 2003 

5 
5 

6 
6 

19 April 2005 

10, C 

283,407 

19 April 2005 
20 March 2006 

10, C 
11, D 

283,407 
518,358 

20 March 2006 

11, D 

518,358 

Executive Share Option Schemes 
22 December 2000 

7 

959 

6 July 2001 

7 

36,399 

28 September 2001 

7 

113,851 

9 January 2002 

10 July 2002 

7 January 2003 

Michael Grade 

7 

7 

7 

1,040 

19,240 

18,200 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–  283,407 

– 

–  283,407 
–  259,179 

– 
259,179 

–  259,179 

259,179 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

959 

36,399 

113,851 

1,040 

19,240 

18,200 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

125.75 
– 

115.75 

217.78 

137.02 

91.35 

143.27 

106.25 

76.92 

– 
– 

– 

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– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

31 December 2009  
31 December 2009 
– 

54.24 
54.24 
– 

130,985 
143,634 

– 
– 
–  31 December 2010 –
31 December 2011 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
June 2012 – 
June 2013 

–  31 December 2011–
31 December 2012 

– 
– 

– 
September 2014 –
March 2015 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
August 2005 –
August 2010 
– 

– 
March 2010 –
March 2016 
March 2010 –
March 2016 

December 2003 – 
December 2010 
July 2004 –
July 2011 
September 2004 –
September 2011 
January 2005 –
January 2012 
July 2005 –
July 2012 
January 2006 –
January 2013 

Deferred Share Award Plan  
14 March 2008  
24 April 2009 

1 
2 

740,352 

–  740,352 
– 

–  758,468 

– 
758,468 

65.30 
31.00 

Turnaround Incentive Award 
13 September 2007 

 8, A  5,657,042 

Save As You Earn scheme 
4 April 2008 

9 

32,307 

– 

– 

–  1,703,648 

3,953,394 

106.06 

– 

– 

32,307 

– 

52.00 

31 December 2009  
–  

54.24 
– 

401,567 

– 
–  31 December 2009 – 
31 December 2010 

– 

– 

– 

– 

–   31 December 2011 –
31 December 2012 

– 

January 2010 – 
June 2010 

32,307 
– 

– 
54,370 

– 
– 

32,307 
– 

– 
54,370 

– 
35.75 

52.00 
28.60 

301,785 
471,944 

–  301,785 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 
471,944 

– 
100.72 

20 October 2009 
– 

50.98 
– 

153,850 
– 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

At 
1 January  
2009 

Awarded
 in year 

Exercised/ 
Released 
 in year 

Lapsed 
 in year 

At
31 December
2009 

Notes 

Share price
used for
award
(pence) 

Exercise price
(pence) 

Date of exercise/
release  

Share price 
at date of 
exercise/ 
release 
(pence) 

Pre-tax gain at 
date of exercise/ 
release 
(£) 

Vesting date/
Exercise period 

60 

Award date 

Ian Griffiths 

Deferred Share Award Plan  
2 October 2008 
24 April 2009 

2 
2 

177,515 
– 

–  177,515 
48,840 
– 

48,840 
48,841 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
48,841 

42.25 
31.00 
31.00 

Performance Share Plan 
1 June 2009 

Turnaround Plan 
2 October 2008 

B 

–  1,188,812 

– 

– 

1,188,812 

35.75 

4, A  4,023,669 

– 

–  1,005,917 

3,017,752 

42.25 

Rupert Howell 

Deferred Share Award Plan 
14 March 2008  
24 April 2009 

1 
2 

48,756 

48,756 
– 
–  206,855  206,855 
– 
  206,855 

– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
206,855 

65.30 
31.00 
31.00 

Performance Share Plan 
1 June 2009 

Turnaround Plan 
3 October 2007 

B 

–  1,101,399 

– 

– 

1,101,399 

35.75 

4, A  2,357,143 

– 

–  589,286 

1,767,857 

105.00 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

31 December 2009  
31 December 2009  
– 

54.24 
54.24 
– 

96,284 
26,490 

– 
– 
–  31 December 2010 – 
31 December 2011 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

June 2012 –
June 2013 

–  31 December 2011– 
31 December 2012 

31 December 2009  
31 December 2009  
–  

54.24 
54.24 
– 

26,445 
112,198 

– 
– 
–  31 December 2010 –
31 December 2011 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

June 2012 –
June 2013 

–  31 December 2011– 
31 December 2012 

Notes: 
(1)    Awarded in the form of restricted shares. 
(2)    Awarded in the form of nil-cost options. The award made to Ian Griffiths on 2 October 2008 was a one off award under the terms of his employment. 
(3)    The 2006 PSP awards reached the end of their performance period in 2009 and lapsed as the TSR performance condition was not met. 
(4)    25% of the award was tested on 31 December 2009, and as the performance condition was not met this portion of the award lapsed. 
(5)    John Cresswell chose to withdraw from the 2008 scheme in order to participate in the 2009 scheme resulting in his options lapsing. 
(6)    The performance condition applicable for the awards made under the Granada Commitment Scheme was TSR relative to Granada’s international media comparator group. 25% of awards  
  vest at median; 100% vesting occurs at upper decile. Up to 50% of these awards were capable of vesting after two years, with the remainder subject to performance over a four year period.  
  The options are shown in ITV plc shares and were adjusted following the merger of Granada with Carlton in 2004. The balance shown represents options that have vested at the relevant  
  vesting dates, but not been exercised. 

(7)    Awards outstanding under the Granada Media and Granada Schemes. The options are shown in ITV plc shares and were adjusted following the merger of Granada with Carlton in 2004. 
(8)    In accordance with the terms of the award, 25% of the total award would vest at 31 December 2009 if the TSR condition was satisfied. As the performance condition was not satisfied, this 

portion of the award will be tested with the remaining balance of the award on 31 December 2011. On cessation of employment on 31 December 2009, 75% of the award due to be tested on  
31 December 2011 was pro-rated for service and a proportion lapsed accordingly. 

(9)     On cessation of employment on 31 December 2009, the award vested and became exercisable over a pro-rated number of shares for a period of six months. 
(10)   Lapsed on 19 April 2009 as performance conditions were not met. 
(11)   50% lapsed on 20 March 2009 as performance conditions were not met. Remaining balance is unvested and will be tested on 20 March 2010. 

The comparator groups for each award are set out in the table below, and apply as marked in the notes column: 

A 

B 

C 

D 

British Airways, British Sky Broadcasting Group, BT Group, Capita Group, Carnival, Compass Group, Diageo, DSG International, Enterprise Inns, Home Retail Group, Intercontinental Hotels Group, 
Kingfisher, Marks & Spencer Group, Next, Pearson, Reed Elsevier, Thomson Reuters, SABMiller, Scottish & Newcastle, Vodafone Group, WPP and Yell Group. 

The portion of the award subject to TSR will be measured equally against two distinct comparator groups, the constituents of the FTSE 250 index (excluding companies from the basic 
materials, financial services, oil and gas and industrials industries), and an industry sector specific group of 23 companies: British Sky Broadcasting Group, Scripps Networks, Canal Plus, Telecinco, 
CBS, Tf1 (Tv.Fse.1), Daily Mail & General Trust, Time Warner, M6-Metropole TV, Trinity Mirror, Mediaset, Viacom Digital, Modern Times Group, Virgin Media, News Corporation, Vivendi, Pearson, 
WPP Group, Premier AG, Yell Group, Proseiben Sat 1 Pf., Zon Multimedia and RTL Group. 

Allied Domecq, BAA, Alliance Boots, British Airways, British Sky Broadcasting Group, BT Group, Bunzl, Cable & Wireless, Capita Group, Carnival, Compass Group, Daily Mail and General Trust, 
Diageo, DSG International, EMAP, Enterprise Inns, Exel, Home Retail Group, Hays, InterContinental Hotels Group, Kingfisher, Ladbrokes, Marks & Spencer Group, Next, O2, Pearson, Reed Elsevier, 
Rentokil Initial, Thomson Reuters, Rexam, SABMiller, Scottish & Newcastle, Vodafone Group, Whitbread, William Hill, WPP and Yell Group. 

BAA, Alliance Boots, Brambles, British Airways, British Sky Broadcasting Group, BT Group, Cable & Wireless, Capita Group, Carnival, Compass Group, Daily Mail and General Trust, Diageo, DSG 
International, Enterprise Inns, Home Retail Group, InterContinental Hotels Group, Kingfisher, Ladbrokes, Marks & Spencer Group, Next, PartyGaming, Pearson, Reed Elsevier, Rentokil Initial, 
Thomson Reuters, Rexam, SABMiller, Scottish & Newcastle, Vodafone Group, Wolseley, WPP and Yell Group. 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors’ interests 
The figures set out below represent shareholdings in the ordinary 
share capital of ITV plc beneficially owned by directors and their 
family interests. Between the end of the financial year and 3 March 
2010, there were no changes in directors’ interests in shares. 

Director 
Mike Clasper 
John Cresswell 
Sir James Crosby 
Michael Grade 
Ian Griffiths 
Andy Haste 
Rupert Howell 
Heather Killen 
John Ormerod 
Baroness Usha Prashar 
Sir George Russell 
Agnès Touraine 

31 December 
2009 
46,784 
1,260,462 
138,388 
879,814 
233,358 
33,302 
199,350 
45,302 
75,372 
30,017 
112,847 
124,301 

31 December 
2008 
18,000 
784,660 
98,058 
436,407 
100,000 
10,000 
48,755 
22,000 
50,000 
3,000 
62,090 
100,000 

Share price information 
The market price of the ITV plc ordinary shares at 31 December 2009 
was 52.35 pence and the range during the year was 17.50 pence to 
55.05 pence. 

Approval 
The Remuneration report was approved by the Board on 3 March 
2010 and signed on its behalf by Baroness Usha Prashar.

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Remuneration report 

61 

Pension entitlements  
During the year John Cresswell was a member of the Company’s 
defined benefit pension scheme and had accrued entitlements 
under the scheme as follows: 

Name of director 

John Cresswell 

Accrued  
pension 
1 January 
2009 
£000 
108 

Increase in  
accrued 
pension in 
the year 
£000 
11 

Accrued
pension
31 December
2009
£000 
119 

The following table sets out the transfer value of his accrued benefits 
under the scheme calculated in a manner consistent with the 
Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations 2008. 
The pension benefits of John Cresswell are provided on a defined 
benefit basis. The accrued pension shown is that which would be 
paid annually based on service to the end of that year. The increase 
in accrued pension during the year reflects an increase in the 
pension entitlement as a result of an additional year of service. 
During 2009, ITV consulted with defined benefit scheme 

members regarding changes to future benefit accrual. With effect 
from January 2010, pensionable salary increases for all defined 
benefit members, including John Cresswell, are capped at 1%. 
Further information on this can be found in note 6 of the 
consolidated financial statements or on page 43. 

Transfer  
value 
1 January 
2009 
£000 
1,240 

Contributions 
made by 
the director 
£000 
46 

Increase    
in transfer    
value in     
the year    
net of     
contributions (1) 
£000     
201    

Transfer
value
31 December
2009
£000 
1,487 

Name of director 
John Cresswell 

Notes: 
(1)  Transfer values at 31 December 2009 have been calculated in accordance with the  
  transfer value members would receive if they transferred their pension elsewhere.  
  The Trustees of the ITV Pension Scheme updated the transfer value factors over 2009  
  to allow for increasing evidence that people are living longer than previously expected 
  which has contributed to the increase in the transfer value to 31 December 2009.  
  The increase in the transfer value also includes the effect of fluctuations due to factors 
  beyond the control of the Company and directors, such as stock market movements.  

(2)  John Cresswell has a normal retirement age of 63.  
(3)   In the event of the death of an executive director, a pension equal to one half of

  director’s pension will become payable to a surviving spouse. A pension may become 
  payable to any surviving dependant children. 

(4)   In common with other members of the defined benefit pension scheme, the  

  executive director may, with the consent of the Company, receive and draw a pension 
  at any time after reaching the age of 50 (55 from 6 April 2010). 

The following additional information is given to comply with the 
requirements of the Listing Rules which differ in some respects from 
the equivalent statutory requirements. 

Name of director 
John Cresswell 

Increase in accrued 
pension in the year  
in excess of inflation 
£000 
11 

Transfer value of
increase in the year less 
director’s contributions
£000 
59 

The transfer values disclosed above do not represent a sum paid or 
payable to John Cresswell. Instead they represent a potential liability 
of the pension scheme. 

Michael Grade, Ian Griffiths and Rupert Howell were not members 

of any Company pension scheme during the year. The Company 
made contributions to Personal Pension Plans belonging to Ian 
Griffiths and Rupert Howell with a value of 15% of their respective 
basic salaries. Michael Grade received a cash payment of 9% of his 
basic salary in lieu of pension contributions. These payments are 
included in the emoluments table on page 58.  

No directors were members of defined contribution schemes 

operated by the Group. 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Other governance and statutory disclosures 

Substantial shareholdings 
As at 3 March 2010 the Company had received notifications from 
the following companies and institutions of the voting interests of 
themselves and their clients in 3% or more of the issued ordinary 
share capital (carrying rights to vote in all circumstances) of the 
Company (numbers of shares and percentage interests are as at the 
notification dates). 

Sky Holdings Ltd(1)  
Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. 
Legal and General Investment 
Management Ltd 
Blackrock, Inc. 
AXA S.A. 

Notes: 
(1)  Subsidiary of British Sky Broadcasting Group plc. 
(2)  A profile of shareholdings is set out on page 113. 

Shares 
291,684,730 
275,411,157 
200,841,036 

194,695,694 
170,580,317 

% 
7.50 
7.08 
5.16 

5.01 
4.39 

Share capital 
Issued: At the date of this report there were 3,889,129,751 ordinary 
shares of 10 pence each in issue, all of which are fully paid up and 
quoted on the London Stock Exchange. Further details of the 
movements in the authorised and issued share capital of the 
Company during the year are set out on page 110. 

Rights: The rights attaching to the Company’s ordinary shares,  
as well as the powers of the Company’s directors, are set out in the 
Company’s Articles of Association, copies of which can be obtained 
from the Company’s website at www.itvplc.com or by writing to the 
Company Secretary. 

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on the transfer of ordinary 
shares in the capital of the Company other than those which may 
be imposed by law from time to time. In accordance with the Listing 
Rules, certain employees are required to seek approval to deal in ITV 
shares. The Company is not aware of any agreements between 
shareholders that may result in restrictions on the transfers of 
securities and/or voting rights. No person holds securities in the 
Company carrying special rights with regard to control of the 
Company. Unless expressly specified to the contrary, the Company’s 
Articles of Association may be amended by special resolution of the 
shareholders.  

Purchase of own shares: The directors have the authority to 
purchase up to 388.9 million of the Company’s ordinary shares. The 
authority remains valid until the 2010 Annual General Meeting, or 13 
August 2010 if earlier.  

Trusts: The Company has a discretionary trust funded by loans to 
acquire shares for the potential benefit of employees of the Group. 
Details of shares held by the trust at 31 December 2009 are set out 
in note 30. During the year shares have been released from the trust 
in respect of share schemes for employees. The trust waives the 
right to dividends payable on those shares held by the trust that  
are not subject to any share plan operated by the Company where 
participants are the beneficial but not registered owners of shares. 

Change of control 
All of the Company’s share schemes contain provisions relating to a 
change of control. Outstanding awards and options would normally 
vest and become exercisable on a change of control, subject to the 
satisfaction of any performance conditions. Certain of the Group’s 
bonds/borrowing facilities have change of control clauses whereby 
the issuer can require ITV to repay/redeem bonds in the event of a 
change of control. The Company is not aware of any other 
significant agreements to which it is party that take effect, alter or 
terminate upon a change of control of the Company. 

Creditor payment policy 
The Company’s policy, in relation to all its suppliers, is to settle the 
terms of payment when agreeing the terms of the transaction, 
ensure awareness of the terms and to abide by those terms  

provided that it is satisfied that the supplier has provided the goods 
or services in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions. The 
Company does not follow any code or standard payment practice. 
The number of days’ purchases outstanding for payment by the 
Company as at 31 December 2009 was nil days (2008: nil). 

Pension Scheme indemnities 
Qualifying pension scheme indemnity provisions, as defined in 
section 235 of the Companies Act 2006, were in force for the 
financial year ended 31 December 2009 and remain in force for the 
benefit of each of the directors of ITV Pension Scheme Limited, an 
associated company of ITV plc. These indemnity provisions cover, to 
the extent permitted by law, certain losses or liabilities incurred as a 
director or officer of ITV Pension Scheme Limited. 

Audit 
The directors who held office at the date of approval of the Directors’ 
report confirm that, so far as they are each aware, there is no 
relevant audit information of which the Company’s auditor is 
unaware; and each director has taken all steps that they ought to 
have taken as a director in order to make themselves aware of any 
relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s 
auditor is aware of that information. As recommended by the Audit 
Committee, a resolution for the re-appointment of KPMG Audit Plc 
as auditor to the Company will be proposed at the 2010 Annual 
General Meeting. 

Annual General Meeting 
The Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday 7 May 2010  
at 11.00 am at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad 
Sanctuary, Westminster, London SW1P 3EE. The Notice of the 
Annual General Meeting contains an explanation of special business 
to be considered at the meeting. A copy of the Notice is available on 
the Company’s website at www.itvplc.com. 

By order of the Board 

Andrew Garard 
Company Secretary 
3 March 2010 

ITV plc 
The London Television Centre 
Upper Ground 
London 
SE1 9LT 
Registered number 4967001 

Contacts and documents for corporate governance 

Chairman  
Senior Independent Director  
Interim Chief Executive  
Company Secretary  

Telephone: 020 7157 3000 

Archie Norman 
Mike Clasper 
John Cresswell 
Andrew Garard 

The following documents are available on the Company’s website  
at www.itvplc.com: 

–  Terms of engagement for non-executive directors; 

–  Schedule of matters reserved for the Board; 

–  Terms of reference for Audit, Disclosure, General Purpose, 

Nomination and Remuneration Committees; 

–  Guidelines for seeking independent advice; 

–  Directors’ indemnity; and 

–  Terms of reference for remuneration consultants. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
63 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Statement of directors’ responsibilities in respect of  
the annual report and the financial statements 

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the Group and parent company financial statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare Group and parent company financial statements for each financial year. Under that law they are 

required to prepare the Group financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU and applicable law and have elected to prepare 
the parent company financial statements in accordance with UK Accounting Standards and applicable law (UK Generally Accepted Accounting 
Practice). 

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the 

state of affairs of the Group and parent company and of their profit or loss for that period. In preparing each of the Group and parent company 
financial statements, the directors are required to: 

–  select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

–  make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

–  for the Group financial statements, state whether they have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 

–  for the parent company financial statements, state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material 

departures disclosed and explained in the parent company financial statements; and 

–  prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the parent company will 

continue in business. 

The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the parent company’s transactions 
and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the parent company and enable them to ensure that its financial 
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to 
safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the directors are also responsible for preparing a Directors’ Report, Directors’ Remuneration Report and 

Corporate Governance Statement that comply with that law and those regulations. 

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. 

Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Each of the directors, the names of whom are set out on pages 44 and 45, confirms that to the best of his or her knowledge: 

–  the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets and 
liabilities, financial position and the profit or loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole; and  

–  the Directors’ report includes a review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the issue and the undertakings 

included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

By order of the Board 

Andrew Garard 
Company Secretary 
3 March 2010 

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64 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Independent auditors’ report to the members 
of ITV plc 

We have audited the Consolidated and Company financial statements of ITV plc for the year ended 31 December 2009 set out on pages 63 to 112. 
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is applicable law and 
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the EU. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the parent company financial statements is applicable law and UK Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit 
work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report 
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and 
the Company’s members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. 

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors 
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 63, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the 
financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance 
with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing Practices 
Board’s (APB’s) Ethical Standards for Auditors. 

Scope of the audit of the financial statements 
A description of the scope of an audit of financial statements is provided on the APB’s website at www.frc.org.uk/apb/scope/UKP. 

Opinion on financial statements 
In our opinion: 

–  the Consolidated and Company financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs  

as at 31 December 2009, and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended; 

–  the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU; 

–  the parent company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; 

–  the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group 

financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. 

Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 
In our opinion: 

–  the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and 

–  the information given in the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the 

financial statements. 

Matters on which we are required to report by exception 
We have nothing to report in respect of the following: 

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion: 

–  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from 

branches not visited by us; or 

–  the parent company financial statements and the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement with the 

accounting records and returns; or 

–  certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or 

–  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. 

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 

–  the Directors’ report, set out on page 42, in relation to going concern; and 

–  the part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the Company’s compliance with the nine provisions of the June 2008 Combined 

Code specified for our review. 

Richard Bawden (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG Audit Plc, Statutory Auditor 
Chartered Accountants 

8 Salisbury Square 
London EC4Y 8BB 
3 March 2010  

 
 
 
 
 
65 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Consolidated income statement 

 For the year ended 31 December: 
 Revenue 
 Operating costs 
 Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) before exceptional items 
 Net operating income/(costs) – exceptional items 
 Amortisation of intangible assets 
 Impairment of intangible assets 
 Total operating costs 
 Operating profit/(loss) 
 Financing income 
 Financing costs 
 Net financing costs 
 Share of profit or loss of joint ventures and associated undertakings 
 Investment income 
 Loss on sale and impairment of non-current assets (exceptional items) 
 (Loss)/gain on sale and impairment of subsidiaries and investments (exceptional items) 
 Profit/(loss) before tax 
 Taxation 
 Profit/(loss) for the year 

Profit/(loss) attributable to: 
   Owners of the company 
   Non-controlling interests 
 Profit/(loss) for the year 

Earnings/(loss) per share 
 Basic earnings/(loss) per share 
 Diluted earnings/(loss) per share 

Note 
2 

5 
13 

4 

8 
14 

5 
5 

9 

2009
£m 
1,879 
(1,677)
202 
53 
(59)
– 
(1,683)
196 
201 
(292)
(91)
(7)
– 
(22)
(51)
25 
69 
94 

2008
£m   
2,029  
(1,818) 
211  
(97) 
(66) 
(2,695) 
(4,676) 
(2,647) 
316  
(376) 
(60) 
(15) 
1  
(17) 
6  
(2,732) 
178  
(2,554) 

91 
3 
94 

(2,556) 
2  
(2,554) 

11 
11 

2.3p 
2.3p 

(65.9)p  
(65.9)p  

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Operating exceptional items during the year mainly comprise reorganisation and restructuring costs, onerous property provisions and gains arising 
from pension scheme changes (see note 5 for details). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  

66 

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 

For the year ended 31 December: 
Profit/(loss) for the year 

Other comprehensive income: 
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Revaluation of available for sale financial assets 
Amounts recycled to the income statement in respect of cash flow hedges 
Other movements in respect of cash flow hedges 
Actuarial losses on defined benefit pension schemes 
Income tax on other comprehensive income 
Other comprehensive cost for the year, net of income tax 
Total comprehensive cost for the year 

Total comprehensive cost attributable to: 
  Owners of the Company 
  Non-controlling interests 
Total comprehensive cost for the year 

2009 
£m 
94 

2008 
£m 
(2,554)

(4)
2 
(9)
– 
(391)
101 
(301)
(207)

(210)
3 
(207)

16 
2 
– 
4 
(124)
35 
(67)
(2,621)

(2,623)
2 
(2,621)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
67 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Consolidated statement of financial position 

 Non-current assets 
 Property, plant and equipment 
 Intangible assets 
 Investments in joint ventures and associated undertakings 
 Available for sale financial assets 
 Held to maturity investments 
 Derivative financial instruments 
 Distribution rights 
 Net deferred tax asset 

 Current assets 
 Programme rights and other inventory 
 Trade and other receivables due within one year 
 Trade and other receivables due after more than one year 
 Trade and other receivables 
 Derivative financial instruments 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
 Assets held for sale 

 Current liabilities  
 Borrowings 
 Derivative financial instruments 
 Trade and other payables due within one year 
 Trade and other payables due after more than one year 
 Trade and other payables 
 Current tax liabilities 
 Provisions 
 Liabilities held for sale 

 Net current assets 

 Non-current liabilities 
 Borrowings 
 Derivative financial instruments 
 Defined benefit pension deficit 
 Net deferred tax liability 
 Other payables 
 Provisions 

 Net assets 

 Attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company 
 Share capital 
 Share premium 
 Merger and other reserves 
 Translation reserve 
 Available for sale reserve 
 Retained losses 
 Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company 
 Non-controlling interests 
 Total equity 

Ian Griffiths 
Group Finance Director 

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31 December
2009
£m 

31 December
2008
£m   

Note 

12 
13 
14 
15 
22 
25 
16 
9 

17 
18 
18 
18 
25 
22 
27 

22 
25 
19 
20 

26 
27 

22 
25 
6 
9 
21 
26 

30 

161 
1,030 
5 
1 
149 
151 
16 
50 
1,563 

388 
432 
7 
439 
5 
582 
78 
1,492 

(9)
(4)
(646)
(31)
(677)
(31)
(47)
(3)
(771)

220  
1,140  
66  
5  
–  
199  
13  
–  
1,643  

516  
444  
10  
454  
19  
616  
3  
1,608  

(259) 
(7) 
(748) 
(26) 
(774) 
(56) 
(43) 
–  
(1,139) 

721 

469  

(1,431)
(30)
(436)
– 
(12)
(29)
(1,938)

(1,264) 
(25) 
(178) 
(55) 
(15) 
(41) 
(1,578) 

346 

534  

389 
120 
308 
11 
8 
(491)
345 
1 
346 

389  
120  
273  
24  
6  
(286) 
526  
8  
534  

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  

68 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Balance at 1 January 2009 
Total comprehensive income for 
the year 
Profit 
Other comprehensive  
income/(cost) 

Revaluation of available for sale 
financial assets 

Exchange differences on translation 
of foreign operations 

Amounts recycled to the income 
statement in respect of cash flow 
hedges 

Actuarial losses on defined benefit 
pension schemes 

Income tax on other  
comprehensive income 

Total other comprehensive 
income/(cost) 
Total comprehensive income/(cost) 
for the year 
Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity 
Contributions by and distributions  
to owners 
Equity dividends 
Equity portion of the convertible 
bond 

Movements due to share-based 
compensation 
Total contributions by and 
distributions to owners 
Change in ownership interest in 
subsidiaries that do not result in a 
loss of control 
Non-controlling interest acquired 
Total changes in ownership interests 
in subsidiaries 
Total transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2009 

Attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company 

Share  
capital  
£m 
389 

Share 
premium 
£m 
120 

Merger and 
other reserves 
£m 
273 

Translation 
reserve 
£m 
24 

Available for 
sale reserve 
£m 
6 

Retained  
losses  
£m 
(286) 

Total  
£m 
526 

Non-controlling
interests 
£m 
8 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
389 

– 
– 
120 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

35 

– 

35 

– 

– 
35 
308 

– 

– 

(4)

(9)

– 

– 

(13)

(13)

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
11 

– 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

2 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
8 

91 

91 

– 

– 

– 

2 

(4) 

(9) 

(391) 

(391) 

101 

101 

(290) 

(301) 

(199) 

(210) 

– 

1 

8 

9 

– 

36 

8 

44 

(15) 

(15) 

(15) 
(6) 
(491) 

(15) 
29 
345 

3 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

3 

(2)

– 

– 

(2)

(8)

(8)
(10)
1 

Total 
equity 
£m 
534 

94 

2 

(4)

(9)

(391)

101 

(301)

(207)

(2)

36 

8 

42 

(23)

(23)
19 
346 

Merger and other reserves  
Merger and other reserves at 31 December 2009 include merger reserves arising on the Granada/Carlton and previous mergers of £119 million (2008: 
£119 million), capital reserves of £112 million (2008: £112 million), capital redemption reserves of £36 million (2008: £36 million), revaluation reserves 
of £6 million (2008: £6 million) and £35 million (2008: £nil) in respect of the equity element of the 2016 convertible bond. In 2008 a transfer of 
£2,429 million between retained losses and merger reserves was made in respect of the impairment of goodwill that arose on the Granada/Carlton 
and other mergers. 

Translation reserve  
The translation reserve comprises all foreign exchange differences arising on the translation of the accounts of, and investments in, foreign 
operations. Included within the movement in the year is £9 million recycled to the income statement in respect of cash flow hedges (2008: 
£4 million movement).  

Available for sale reserve  
The available for sale reserve comprises all movements arising on the revaluation and disposal of assets accounted for as available for sale  
(see note 24). 

Non-controlling interests 
Included within the net £7 million movement in the year is £3 million profit attributable to non-controlling interests, net of £2 million for dividends 
paid to such interests and £8 million in respect of the 25% non-controlling interest element purchased in GMTV in November 2009.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  

69 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity 

Balance at 1 January 2008 
Total comprehensive income/(cost) 
for the year 
(Loss)/profit 
Other comprehensive  
income/(cost) 
Revaluation of available for sale 
financial assets 
Exchange differences on translation 
of foreign operations 
Movement in respect of cash flow 
hedges 
Actuarial losses on defined benefit 
pension schemes 
Income tax on other  
comprehensive income 
Transfer from merger reserve 
Total other comprehensive costs 
Total comprehensive income/(costs) 
for the year 
Transactions with owners, recorded 
directly in equity 
Contributions by and distributions  
to owners 
Equity dividends 
Movements due to share-based 
compensation 
Total contributions by and 
distributions to owners 
Total transactions with owners 
Balance at 31 December 2008 

Attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company 

Share  
capital  
£m 
389 

Share 
premium 
£m 
120 

Merger and 
other reserves 
£m 
2,702 

Translation 
reserve 
£m 
4 

Available for 
sale reserve 
£m 
4 

Retained  
earnings/(losses)  
£m 
14 

Total  
£m 
3,233 

Non-controlling 
interests 
£m 
6 

Total 
equity 
£m 
3,239 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
389 

– 
– 
120 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
(2,429)
(2,429)

(2,429)

– 

– 

– 
– 
273 

– 

– 

(2,556) 

(2,556) 

2 

(2,554)

– 

16 

4 

– 

– 
– 
20 

20 

– 

– 

– 
– 
24 

2 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
2 

2 

– 

– 

– 
– 
6 

– 

– 

– 

2 

16 

4 

(124) 

(124) 

35 
2,429 
2,340 

35 
– 
(67) 

(216) 

(2,623) 

(96) 

(96) 

12 

12 

(84) 
(84) 
(286) 

(84) 
(84) 
526 

– 

– 

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

2 

– 

– 

– 
– 
8 

2 

16 

4 

(124)

35 
– 
(67)

(2,621)

(96)

12 

(84)
(84)
534 

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70 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Consolidated statement of cash flows 

  For the year ended 31 December: 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Operating profit/(loss) before exceptional items 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
 Share-based compensation 
 Decrease/(increase) in programme rights and other inventory, and distribution rights 
 Decrease/(increase) in receivables 
 (Decrease)/increase in payables 
 Movement in working capital 
 Cash generated from operations before exceptional items 
 Cash flow relating to operating exceptional items: 
   Net operating income/(costs) 

(Increase)/decrease in payables and provisions and the impact of the exceptional 

  pension gain 
 Cash outflow from exceptional items 
 Cash generated from operations 
 Defined benefit pension deficit funding 
 Interest received 
 Interest paid on bank and other loans 
 Interest paid on finance leases 
 Net taxation received 

 Net cash inflow from operating activities 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
Acquisition of subsidiary undertakings, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired  
and debt repaid on acquisition 
 Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 
 Acquisition of property, plant and equipment 
 Acquisition of intangible assets 
 Acquisition of associates and joint ventures 
 Loans granted to associates and joint ventures 
 Loans repaid by associates and joint ventures 
 Proceeds from sale of subsidiaries and available for sale investments 
 Net cash outflow from investing activities 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Bank and other loans – amounts repaid 
 Bank and other loans – amounts raised 
 Capital element of finance lease payments 
 Acquisition of non-controlling interests 
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interest 
 Repayment of loan by employees’ benefit trust 
 Purchase of own shares via employees’ benefit trust 
 (Purchase)/sale of held to maturity investments 
 Equity dividends paid 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 
Effects of exchange rate changes and fair value movements on cash  
and cash equivalents 
 Less: cash related to disposal group (note 28) 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 

Note 

£m 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m   

£m 

(2,550)
36 
2,761 
10 
(82)
(34)
49 
(67)

372 

190  

(63) 
309 

(66) 
243 

(40) 
150  

(59) 
91  

(97)

57 

(39)
40 
(99)
(4)
43 

(6)
35 
1 
(32)
(21)
(3)
(26)
20  
– 

(71) 

(32) 

(25)
110 
(6)
– 
– 
2 
– 
100 
(123)

(202) 
(30) 
616 

– 
(4) 
582 

58  
117  
498  

1  
–  
616  

12 
13 
7 

143 
38 
59 
11 
125 
11 
(15) 
121 

5 

53 

(116) 

(31) 
44 
(116) 
(4) 
41 

(50) 
– 
4 
(14) 
(13) 
– 
(6) 
4  
4 

(508) 
516 
(7) 
(23) 
(2) 
– 
(3) 
(150) 
(25) 

29 

14 
14 

29 

22 

22 

28 
22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
71 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009   
Notes to the accounts 

1  Accounting policies  
1.1)  Basis of preparation 
The Group accounts consolidate those of ITV plc, (“the Company”), a company domiciled in the United Kingdom and its subsidiaries (together 
referred to as “the Group”) and the Group’s interests in associates and jointly controlled entities. 

As required by EU law (IAS Regulation EC 1606/2002) the Group’s accounts have been prepared and approved by the directors in accordance  

with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU (“IFRS”). 

The accounts are principally prepared on the historical cost basis. Areas where other bases are applied are identified in the accounting  

policies below. 

The Company has elected to prepare its parent company financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP. 
The disclosures on pages 40–42 in respect of liquidity risk and going concern form part of the audited accounts. 
The Group has adopted the following standards and amendments effective from 1 January 2009 that are relevant to these financial statements: 

–  IAS 1 “Amendments to IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements – A revised presentation”. The Group has presented both a consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income and a consolidated statement of changes in equity as primary financial statements. The consolidated 
statement of comprehensive income effectively replaces the consolidated statement of recognised income and expense. As a result, the Group 
presents in the consolidated statement of changes in equity all owner changes in equity, where as all non-owner changes in equity are presented 
in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The Group has elected to present a separate consolidated income statement. 
Comparative information has been re-presented so that it is also in conformity with the revised standard. Since the adoption of this accounting 
standard only impacts presentation aspects there is no impact on earnings/(loss) per share.  

–  IFRS 2 “Amendment to IFRS 2 Share-Based Payment: Vesting Conditions and Cancellations”. The definition of vesting conditions has been 
amended to clarify that vesting conditions are limited to service conditions and performance conditions. Conditions other than service or 
performance conditions are considered non-vesting conditions. This has had no material impact on the Group’s results. 

–  IFRS 7 “Amendments to IFRS 7 Improving Disclosures about Financial Instruments”. These amendments enhance disclosures over fair value 

measurements relating to financial instruments and improving disclosures over liquidity risk. Specifically, as a result of adopting the amendment, 
the Group has introduced a three-level disclosure hierarchy for financial instruments held at fair value (see note 24). Since the adoption of this 
accounting standard only impacts presentation aspects there is no impact on earnings/(loss) per share. 

–  Improvements to IFRS 1 – Various standards amended – The improvements contain 24 amendments that result in accounting changes for 
presentation, recognition or measurement purposes and 11 terminology or editorial amendments that have no or only minimal effects on 
accounting but have been reflected where relevant in the accounting policies set out in Note 1.2 to 1.30. 

The Group has also chosen to early adopt the following standards that are effective from 1 July 2009: 

–  IFRS 3 “Business Combinations (2008)” and IAS 27 “Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements (2008)” for all business combinations and 
acquisitions of non-controlling interests occurring in the financial year starting 1 January 2009. The Group has applied these standards for the 
acquisitions disclosed in note 29. Under the new accounting policy, the acquisition of the non-controlling interest of 25% in GMTV is accounted  
for as a transaction with equity holders in their capacity as equity holders and therefore no goodwill is recognised as a result of such transactions. 
Previously, goodwill was recognised arising on the acquisition of a non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, which represented the excess of the  
cost of the additional investment over the carrying amount of the interest in the net assets acquired at the date of acquisition. The change in 
accounting policy is applied prospectively and had no material impact on earnings/(loss) per share.  

  The accounting policies set out below, except as noted above, have been applied consistently in presenting the consolidated  
financial information. 

1.2)  Revenue recognition 
Revenue is stated exclusive of VAT and consists of sales of goods and services to third parties. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised  
when the Group has transferred the significant risks and rewards of ownership and control of the goods sold and the amount of revenue can  
be measured reliably. Key classes of revenue are recognised on the following bases: 

  Advertising and sponsorship  
Programme production  
Programme rights  
Participation revenues 

on transmission 
on delivery 
when contracted and available for exploitation 
as the service is provided 

Revenue on barter transactions is recognised only when the goods or services being exchanged are of a dissimilar nature. Participation revenues 
relate to interactive and ‘red button’ services. 

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

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1  Accounting policies (continued) 
1.3)  Segmental analysis 
In accordance with IFRS 8, operating segments are reported in a manner that is consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Board  
of Directors, the chief operating decision maker. 

1.4)  Subsidiaries, associates, special purpose entities and joint ventures 
Subsidiaries are entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by the Group. Control exists where the Group has the power to govern the financial  
and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, potential voting rights that are currently 
exercisable or convertible are taken into account.  

A joint venture is an entity in which the Group holds an interest under a contractual arrangement where the Group and one or more other  

parties undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control. The Group accounts for its interests in joint ventures using the equity method. 

An associate is an entity, other than a subsidiary or joint venture, over which the Group has significant influence. Significant influence is the 
power to participate in the financial and operating decisions of an entity but is not control or joint control over those policies. These investments  
are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity method the investment in the entity is stated as one line item at cost plus the 
investor’s share of retained post-acquisition profits and other changes in net assets. 

The Group establishes special purpose entities (SPEs) for trading and investment purposes. An SPE is consolidated if, based on an evaluation of 
the substance of its relationships with the Group and the SPE’s risks and rewards, it is concluded that the Group controls the SPE. SPEs controlled by 
the Group are established under terms that impose strict limitations on the decision-making powers of the SPEs’ management and that result in the 
Group receiving the majority of the benefits related to the SPE’s operations and net assets, being exposed to the majority of risks incidental to the 
SPE’s activities and receive the majority of the residual or ownership risks related to the SPE’s or their assets. 

1.5)  Current/non-current distinction 
Current assets include assets held primarily for trading purposes, cash and cash equivalents, and assets expected to be realised in, or intended  
for sale or consumption in, the course of the Group’s operating cycle. All other assets are classified as non-current assets. 

Current liabilities include liabilities held primarily for trading purposes, liabilities expected to be settled in the course of the Group’s operating  

cycle and those liabilities due within one year from the reporting date. All other liabilities are classified as non-current liabilities. 

1.6)  Accounting estimates and judgements 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRSs requires management to exercise judgement in the process of applying the 
Group’s accounting policies. It also requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income  
and expenses. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.  
Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected. 

The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or where the most sensitive estimates and assumptions are significant to the 

financial statements, are set out in accounting policies 1.7 – 1.14 below: 

Intangible assets 

1.7) 
Business combinations and goodwill All business combinations that have occurred since 1 January 2009 are accounted for by applying the 
acquisition method. Goodwill is measured as the fair value of the consideration transferred including the recognised amount of any non-controlling 
interests in the acquiree, less the net recognised amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, all measured 
at the acquisition date. Subsequent adjustments to the fair values of net assets acquired are made within 12 months of the acquisition date where 
original fair values were determined provisionally. These adjustments are accounted for from the date of acquisition. The Group measures a non-
controlling interest at its proportionate interest in the identifiable net assets of the acquiree. Transaction costs that the Group incurs in connection 
with a business combination, such as legal fees, due diligence fees and other professional and consulting fees, are expensed as incurred. All business 
combinations that have occurred since 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008 have been accounted for by applying the purchase method in 
accordance with IFRS 3 “Business Combinations (2004)”. Goodwill on these combinations represents the difference between the cost of the 
acquisition and the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. 

For business combinations prior to 1 January 2004, but after 30 September 1998, goodwill is included at its deemed cost, which represents the 
amount recorded under UK GAAP at that time less amortisation up to 31 December 2003. The classification and accounting treatment of business 
combinations occurring prior to 1 January 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, has not been reconsidered as permitted under IFRS 1. Goodwill is 
stated at its recoverable amount being cost less any accumulated impairment losses and is allocated to cash generating units. 

Goodwill arising on acquisitions prior to 30 September 1998 was recognised as a deduction from equity. 

 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

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Intangible assets (continued) 

1  Accounting policies (continued) 
1.7) 
Other intangible assets Other intangible assets acquired by the Group are stated at cost less accumulated amortisation except those identifiable 
intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination which are shown at fair value at the date of acquisition less accumulated amortisation. 
Identifiable intangible assets are those which can be sold separately or which arise from legal rights.  

In determining the fair value of intangible assets arising on acquisition the directors are required to make judgements regarding the timing  
and amount of future cash flows applicable to the businesses being acquired, discounted using an appropriate discount rate. Such judgements are 
based on current budgets and forecasts, extrapolated for an appropriate period taking into account growth rates, expected changes to selling prices, 
operating costs and the expected useful lives of assets following purchase. Judgements are also made regarding whether and for how long licences 
will be renewed. The directors estimate the appropriate discount rate using pre tax rates that reflect current market assessments of the time value 
of money and the risks specific to the businesses being acquired. The values of brands acquired are assessed by applying a royalty rate to the 
expected future revenues over the life of the brand. Licences are valued on a start-up basis. Customer relationships and contracts are valued based 
on expected future cash flows from those existing at the date of acquisition. Contributory charges from other assets are taken as appropriate with 
cash flows then being discounted back to their present value.  

Amortisation Amortisation is charged to the income statement over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets unless such lives are judged to be 
indefinite. Goodwill is not amortised but is tested for impairment at each reporting date. Internally generated software development costs in relation 
to itv.com are expensed as incurred. The estimated useful lives and amortisation methods for each major class of intangible asset are as follows: 

Film libraries  
Licences  

  Brands  
  Customer contracts  
  Customer relationships  
  Software development costs  

Sum of digits  
Straight line  
Straight line  
Straight line  
Straight line  
Straight line  

20 years 
11 to 17 years 
up to 11 years 
up to 6 years 
5 to 10 years 
1 to 5 years 

Impairment of assets 

1.8) 
Non-financial assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested annually for impairment. Non-financial assets 
that are subject to amortisation or depreciation are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognised in the income statement for the amount by which the asset’s carrying 
amount exceeds its recoverable amount. For the purposes of assessing impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are 
separately identifiable cash flows (cash generating units).  

The recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. The value in use is based on the discounted present 

value of the future cash flows expected to arise from the cash generating unit to which the asset relates. Estimates are used in deriving these cash 
flows and the discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the risks specific to the asset and the time value of money. The complexity 
of the estimation process and issues related to the assumptions, risks and uncertainties inherent with the application of the intangible asset 
accounting policies affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. In particular, if different estimates of the projected future cash flows  
or a different selection of an appropriate discount rate or long-term growth rate were made, these changes could materially alter the projected 
value of the cash flows of the asset, and as a consequence materially different amounts would be reported in the financial statements. 

Impairment losses recognised in respect of cash generating units are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to  

those units, and then to reduce the carrying amount of other assets in the unit on a pro-rata basis. 

In respect of assets other than goodwill, an impairment loss is reversed if there has been a change in the estimates used to determine the 
recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount  
that would have been determined, net of depreciation or amortisation, if no impairment loss had been recognised. Impairment losses in respect  
of goodwill are not reversed. 

1.9)  Programme rights 
Where programming, sports rights and film rights are acquired for the primary purpose of broadcasting, these are recognised within current assets.  
Assets are recognised when the Group controls, in substance, the respective assets and the risks and rewards associated with them. For acquired 

programme rights assets are recognised as payments are made and are recognised in full when the acquired programming is available for 
transmission. Programming produced internally, either for the purpose of broadcasting or to be sold in the normal course of the Group’s operating 
cycle, is recognised within current assets at production cost.  

Programme costs and rights, including those acquired under sale and leaseback arrangements, are written off to operating costs in full on first 

transmission except certain film rights and programming for digital channels which are written off over a number of transmissions. Programme 
costs and rights not yet written off are included in the statement of financial position at the lower of cost and net realisable value. In assessing  
net realisable value consideration is given to the contracted sales price and estimated costs to complete for programmes in production, and the 
estimated airtime value of programme stock, sports rights and film rights. In assessing the airtime value of programme stock and film rights 
consideration is given to whether the number of transmissions purchased can be efficiently played out over the licence period. Any reversals  
of write downs for programme costs and rights are recognised as a reduction in operating costs.  

ITV entered into sale and leaseback agreements in relation to certain programme titles. Related outstanding sale and leaseback obligations, 
which comprise the principal and accrued interest, are included within borrowings. The finance related element of the agreement is charged to the 
income statement over the term of the lease on an effective interest basis. Sale and leaseback obligations are secured against an equivalent cash 
balance held within cash and cash equivalents. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 74 

1  Accounting policies (continued) 
1.10)  Trade receivables 
Trade receivables are recognised initially and subsequently at amortised cost. The Group provides goods and services to substantially all its customers  
on credit terms. Estimates are used in determining the level of receivables that will not, in the opinion of the directors, be collected. These estimates 
include such factors as historical experience, the current state of the UK and overseas economies and industry specific factors. A provision for 
impairment of trade receivables is established when there is sufficient evidence that the Group will not be able to collect all amounts due according 
to their original terms. 

1.11)  Taxation 
The tax charge for the period comprises both current and deferred tax and is based on tax rates that are enacted or substantively enacted at  
the reporting date. Taxation is recognised in the income statement, the statement of comprehensive income and the statement of changes in 
equity according to the accounting treatment of the related transaction. 

The Group recognises liabilities for anticipated tax issues based on estimates of the additional taxes that are likely to become due which requires 

judgement. Amounts are accrued based on management’s interpretation of specific tax law and the likelihood of settlement. Where the final tax 
outcome of these matters is different from the amounts that were initially recorded, such differences will impact the income tax and deferred tax 
provisions in the period in which such determination is made. 

Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable income or loss for the year and any adjustment to tax payable in respect  

of previous years. 

Deferred tax is provided on any temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes  

and those for taxation purposes. The following temporary differences are not provided for: 

–  the initial recognition of goodwill;  

–  the initial recognition of assets or liabilities that affect neither accounting nor taxable profit other than in a business combination; and 

–  differences relating to investments in subsidiaries to the extent that they will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future.  

The amount of deferred tax provided is based on the expected manner of realisation or settlement of the carrying amount of assets and liabilities. 
A deferred tax asset is recognised only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to utilise the temporary 
difference. Recognition of deferred tax assets, therefore, involves judgement regarding the timing and level of future taxable income. Deferred tax 
assets and liabilities are disclosed net to the extent that they relate to taxes levied by the same authority and the Group has the right of set off. 

1.12)  Employee benefits 
Defined contribution schemes Obligations under the Group’s defined contribution schemes are recognised as an operating cost in the income 
statement as incurred. 

Defined benefit schemes The Group’s obligation in respect of defined benefit pension schemes is calculated separately for each scheme by 
estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods; that benefit is 
discounted to determine its present value and the fair value of scheme assets is deducted. The discount rate used is the yield at the valuation date 
on high quality corporate bonds. The Group takes advice from independent actuaries relating to the appropriateness of the assumptions which 
include life expectancy of members, expected salary and pension increases, inflation and the return on scheme assets. It is important to note, 
however, that comparatively small changes in the assumptions used may have a significant effect on the income statement and statement  
of financial position.  

The calculations are performed by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in full  

in the period in which they arise through the statement of comprehensive income.  

Share-based compensation The Group operates a number of share-based compensation schemes. The fair value of the equity instrument is 
measured at grant date and spread over the vesting period through the income statement with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value  
of the share options and awards is measured using either a Monte Carlo or Black-Scholes model as appropriate taking into account the terms and 
conditions of the individual scheme. Under these valuation methods, the share price for ITV plc is projected to the end of the performance period  
as is the Total Shareholder Return for ITV plc and the companies in the comparator groups. Based on these projections, the number of awards that 
will vest and their present value is determined. The valuation of these share-based payments also requires estimates to be made in respect of the 
number of options that are expected to be exercised. Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of options that 
are expected to vest. Vesting conditions are limited to service conditions and performance conditions. Conditions other than service or performance 
conditions are considered non-vesting conditions. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimates of the number of options that are expected 
to vest. It recognises the impact of the revision to original estimates, if any, in the income statement, with a corresponding adjustment to equity. 

 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

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1  Accounting policies (continued) 
1.13)  Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities 
The Group uses a limited number of derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in interest and other foreign exchange 
rates. The Group does not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative purposes. 

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently remeasured at fair value with the movement recorded 
in the income statement within net financing costs. Derivatives with a positive fair value are recorded as assets and negative fair values as liabilities. 
The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is determined by using the difference between the contract exchange rate and the quoted 
forward exchange rate at the reporting date. The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that the Group would receive or pay to 
terminate the swap at the reporting date, taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of swap counterparties. 

Third party valuations are used to fair value the Group’s derivatives. The valuation techniques use inputs such as interest rate yield curves and 

currency prices/yields, volatilities of underlying instruments and correlations between inputs.  

Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset or liability, or a highly 

probable forecast transaction, the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognised directly in equity.  
Any ineffective portion of the hedge is recognised immediately in the income statement. 

For financial assets and liabilities classified at fair value through profit or loss the fair value change and interest income/expense are  

not separated. 

1.14)  Provisions 
A provision is recognised in the statement of financial position when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation arising from past 
events, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and the amount can be measured reliably. 
Provisions are determined by discounting the expected future cash flows by a rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of 
money and the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as a financing cost. These provisions are estimates for which 
the amount and timing of actual cash flows are dependent on future events. 

1.15)  Property, plant and equipment 
Owned assets Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Certain items of property, 
plant and equipment that had been revalued to fair value prior to 1 January 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, are measured on the basis of 
deemed cost, being the revalued amount less depreciation up to the date of transition. 

Leases Finance leases are those which transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. Assets held under such leases are 
capitalised within property, plant and equipment and depreciated on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives. Outstanding finance lease 
obligations, which comprise the principal plus accrued interest, are included within borrowings. The finance element of the agreements is charged to 
the income statement over the term of the lease on an effective interest basis. 

All other leases are operating leases, the rentals on which are charged to the income statement on a straight line basis over the lease term. 

Depreciation Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of property, plant and equipment less estimated residual value on a straight line basis  
over their estimated useful lives. The annual depreciation charge is sensitive to the estimated useful life of each asset and the expected residual 
value at the end of its life. The major categories of property, plant and equipment are depreciated as follows: 

Freehold land  
Freehold buildings  
Leasehold properties 
Leasehold improvements 

  Vehicles, equipment and fittings  

not depreciated 
up to 60 years 
shorter of residual lease term or 60 years 
shorter of residual lease term or estimated useful life  
3 to 20 years 

1.16)  Distribution rights 
Programme rights acquired primarily for the purposes of distribution are classified within the statement of financial position as non-current assets. 
They are recognised initially at cost and charged through the income statement over either a three or five year period depending on genre.  
The estimated lives are based on historical experience with similar rights as well as anticipation of future events. 

1.17)  Available for sale financial assets 
Available for sale financial assets comprise gilts and equity securities that do not meet the definition of subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates.  
They are stated at fair value, with any resultant gain or loss recognised directly in the available for sale reserve in equity, unless the loss is a 

permanent impairment when it is recorded in the income statement. 

1.18)  Foreign currencies 
Functional and presentational currency Items included in the financial statements in each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency  
of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (“the functional currency”). The consolidated financial statements are presented  
in pounds sterling (“£”), which is the Company’s functional and presentational currency. 

Foreign currency transactions Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency of the respective Group entity at the 
rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities at the reporting date are translated  
into the functional currency of the respective Group entity at the rate of exchange ruling at that date. Foreign exchange differences arising on 
translation are recognised in the income statement. Non-monetary assets and liabilities measured at historical cost are translated into sterling  
at the rate of exchange on the date of the transaction. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 76 

1  Accounting policies (continued) 
1.18)  Foreign currencies (continued) 
Financial statements of foreign operations The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into the functional currency of the Group at 
the rate of exchange ruling at the reporting date. The revenues and expenses of foreign operations are translated into the functional currency of the 
Group at the average rate of exchange ruling during the financial period. Exchange differences arising on translation are recognised directly in the 
translation reserve in equity and in other comprehensive income. 

Net investment in foreign operations Exchange differences arising on the translation of the net investment in foreign operations are taken directly  
to the translation reserve within equity. 

In respect of all foreign operations only those translation differences arising since 1 January 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, are presented  
as a separate component of equity. On disposal of an investment in a foreign operation the associated translation reserve balance is released to the 
income statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. 

1.19)  Exceptional items 
Exceptional items, as disclosed on the face of the income statement, are items which due to their material and non-recurring nature have been 
classified separately in order to draw them to the attention of the reader of the accounts. They are included in the adjustments that, in 
management’s judgement, are required in order to show more accurately the business performance of the Group in a consistent manner  
and to reflect how the business is managed and measured on a day-to-day basis. 

1.20)  Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprises cash balances, call deposits with maturity of less than or equal to three months from the date of acquisition, 
cash held to meet certain finance lease commitments and gilts over which unfunded pension promises have a charge. 

1.21)  Trade payables 
Trade payables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost. 

1.22)  Borrowings 
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value including directly attributable transaction costs, with subsequent measurement at amortised cost 
using the effective interest rate method. The difference between the amount initially recognised and the redemption value is recorded in the 
income statement over the period of the liability on an effective interest basis.  

Where the Group has identified that any such liabilities result in a mismatch between the accounting liability and the related derivative, the  
Group has adopted the fair value option provision of IAS 39 (revised) to eliminate this accounting mismatch. Management consider that this fair 
value treatment is more appropriate than amortised cost as the movements in these financial instruments largely offset each other and, as a result, 
they are managed on an aggregated basis. The effect of this is that the Group recognises any such financial liabilities at fair value in all periods 
subsequent to initial recognition, with resultant gains or losses recorded in the income statement.  

1.23)  Non-current assets held for sale, disposal groups and discontinued operations  
Non-current assets or disposal groups are classified as held for sale if their carrying amount will be recovered principally through sale rather than 
continuing use, they are available for immediate sale and sale is highly probable. 

On initial classification as held for sale, non-current assets or components of a disposal group are re-measured in accordance with the Group’s 
accounting policies. Thereafter generally the assets or disposal groups are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less costs  
to sell. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is first allocated to goodwill and then to remaining assets and liabilities on a pro-rata basis except to 
programming rights and other inventory, financial assets and deferred tax assets, which continue to be measured in accordance with the Group’s 
accounting policies. Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale and subsequent gains or losses on re-measurement are recognised in 
the income statement. Gains are not recognised in excess of any cumulative impairment loss. 

No amortisation or depreciation is charged on non-current assets (including those in disposal groups) classified as held for sale. Assets classified  
as held for sale are disclosed separately on the face of the statement of financial position and classified as current assets or liabilities, with disposal 
groups being separated between assets held for sale and liabilities held for sale. 

Disposal groups are classified as discontinued operations where they represent a major line of business or geographical area of operations.  
The income statement for the comparative period is re-presented to show the discontinued operations separate from the continuing operations. 

1.24)  ITV shares held by Employees’ Benefit Trust (EBT) 
Transactions of the Group-sponsored EBT are included in the Group’s accounts. In particular, the EBT’s purchases of shares in ITV plc are debited 
directly to equity. 

1.25)  Dividends 
Dividends are recognised through equity on the earlier of their approval by the Company’s shareholders or their payment. 

1.26)  Investment income 
Investment income comprises dividends received from the Group’s investments. Dividend income is recognised in the income statement on the  
date the Group’s right to receive payment is established. 

1.27)  Net financing costs 
Net financing costs comprises interest income on funds invested (including gilts classified as available-for-sale financial assets), gains/losses on the 
disposal of financial instruments, changes in the fair value of financial instruments classified at fair value through profit or loss, interest expense  
on borrowings and finance leases, unwinding of the discount on provisions and foreign exchange gains/losses. Interest income and expense is 
recognised as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method.  

1.28)  Derecognition and recognition 
The Group recognises a financial asset or liability when it becomes a party to the contract. Financial instruments are derecognised from the balance 
sheet when the contractual cash flows expire or when the Group no longer retains control of substantially all the risks and rewards under the 
instrument. 

1.29)  Held to maturity assets 
Where the Group has the positive intent and ability to hold financial assets to maturity, they are classified as held to maturity. Held to maturity 
financial assets are recognised initially at fair value including any directly attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, held to 
maturity financial assets are measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment losses. 

 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 77 

1  Accounting policies (continued)  
1.30)  Compound financial instruments 
Compound financial instruments issued by the Group comprise convertible notes that can be converted to share capital at the option of the holder. 
The liability component of a compound financial instrument is recognised initially at the fair value of a similar liability that does not have an 

equity conversion option. The equity component is recognised initially at the difference between the fair value of the compound financial 
instrument as a whole and the fair value of the liability component. Any directly attributable transaction costs are allocated to the liability and 
equity components in proportion to their initial carrying amounts. 

Subsequent to initial recognition, the liability component of a compound financial instrument is measured at amortised cost using the effective 

interest method. The equity component of a compound financial instrument is not remeasured subsequent to initial recognition. 

1.31)  Application of new EU endorsed accounting standards, amendments to existing EU endorsed standards and interpretations 

Set out below are the standards, amendments and interpretations that are effective in 2009 but are not considered relevant to the Group’s results:

New standards, amendments and interpretations endorsed by the EU and effective in 2009 
Not relevant to the Group’s results 
IAS 39 

Amendment to IAS 39 Reclassification of 
Financial Assets: Effective Date and 
Transition. 
Amendment to IAS 23 Borrowing Costs. 

IAS 23 

IFRS 1 & IAS 27 

Amendments to IFRS 1 and IAS 27  
Cost of an Investment in a Subsidiary, 
Jointly-Controlled Entity or Associate. 

IAS 1 & IAS 32 

IFRIC 12 

IFRIC 15 

IFRIC 16 

Financial Instruments: Presentation – 
Amendments to IAS 32 and IAS 1 Puttable 
Financial Instruments and Obligations  
Arising on Liquidation. 
Service Concession Arrangements. 

Agreements for the Construction  
of Real Estate. 
Hedges of a Net Investment in  
A Foreign Operation. 

This amendment clarified the effective date and transition requirements of the 
amendment to IAS 39, and states that the entities will apply this amendment  
on or after 1 July 2008.  
Comprehensive revision to prohibit immediate expensing of borrowing costs for 
costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production  
of a qualifying asset. 
The amendments allow first-time adopters relief from certain requirements of  
IAS 27 and by removing the definition of the cost method from the standard  
and replacing it with a requirement to present dividends as income in the separate 
financial statements of the investor. 
The amendments provide exemptions from the requirement to classify as a  
liability, financial instruments under which an entity has an unavoidable obligation 
to deliver cash. 

This interpretation provides guidance to operators of public to private service 
concession arrangement in relation to certain recognition and measurement issues. 
This interpretation deals with the accounting for revenue arising from agreements 
for the construction of real estate.  
This interpretation deals with hedge accounting for the foreign currency risk arising 
from a net investment in a foreign operation.  

Other than those standards the Group has elected to adopt early (as disclosed in Note 1.1), a number of new standards, amendments and 
interpretations are not yet effective for the Group and have not been applied in preparing these consolidated financial statements. 

New standards, amendments and interpretations endorsed by the EU but not yet effective  
Not relevant to the Group’s results 
IAS 39 

Amendment to IAS 39 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement: Eligible Hedged Items. 

The amendment clarifies how the principles that determine whether a hedged  
risk or portion of cash flows is eligible for designation should be applied in particular 
situations. The amendment addresses two particular situations, including the 
designation of a one-sided risk in a hedged item; and the designation of inflation in 
particular situations. The amendment applies to hedging relationships in the scope 
of IAS 39 and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009. 
Amendment to IFRIC 9 and IAS 39 requires an entity to assess whether an 
embedded derivative is required to be separated from a host contract when the 
entity reclassifies a hybrid financial asset out of the fair value through profit or loss 
category and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 30 June 2009. 

IFRIC 9 & IAS 39 

Amendments to IFRIC 9 and IAS 39 
Embedded Derivatives. 

IFRIC 17 

Distributions of Non-Cash Assets to Owners. The interpretation addresses the accounting when an entity distributes non-cash 

IFRIC 18 

Transfers of assets from customers. 

IAS 32 

Classification of Rights Issues. 

assets as dividends to its owners, by focusing on the measurement of the dividend 
payable and is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2009. 
This interpretation deals with the accounting for contributed property, plant and 
equipment, whereby an entity receives from a customer an item of property, plant 
and equipment that the entity must then use either to connect the customer  
to a network or to provide the customer with ongoing access to a supply of goods  
or services or to do both. It is effective for annual periods beginning on or after  
1 July 2009. 
The amendment requires that rights, options or warrants to acquire a fixed number 
of the entity’s own equity instruments for a fixed amount of any currency are 
equity instruments if the entity offers the rights, options or warrants pro rata to all 
of its existing owners of the same class of its own non-derivative equity instruments.

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 78 

 Operating segmental information  

2 
The Board of Directors considers the business primarily from a product perspective. The reportable segments are therefore Broadcasting & Online, 
ITV Studios and Other. All of the segments reported meet the quantitative thresholds required by IFRS 8, which the Group first adopted in 2007. 
Management has determined the reportable segments based on the reports reviewed by the Board of Directors. The Broadcasting & Online 

segment now includes the results of the previously disclosed Online segment which is now managed as part of the Broadcasting business.  
The comparatives have been restated in this note to reflect this significant change in the nature of the Group’s operations. The Global Content 
segment has changed its name to ITV Studios to reflect the rebranding of this business during the year. 

Broadcasting & Online is responsible for commissioning and scheduling programmes on the ITV channels, marketing and programme publicity 
and online rights exploitation. It derives its revenue primarily from the sale of advertising airtime and sponsorship. Other sources of revenue are from 
online advertising, premium rate services and the digital terrestrial multiplex, SDN. The Broadcasting & Online segment also includes the Group’s 
investment in STV Group plc. 

ITV Studios (formerly Global Content) derives its revenue primarily from ITV Studios UK (a commercial programme production company), 
international production centres in America, Germany, Sweden and Australia and the businesses in ITV Studios Global Entertainment. A proportion 
of revenue is generated internally via programme sales to the Broadcasting & Online segment. ITV Studios Global Entertainment sells programming, 
exploits merchandising and licensing worldwide, and is a distributor of DVD entertainment in the UK. 

Other comprises the Group’s 100% interest in Carlton Screen Advertising (“CSA”), which sells cinema screen advertising in the UK, and was put into 
creditors voluntary liquidation in the year and its 50% interest in Screenvision US and Europe, which operate cinema screen advertising businesses in 
continental Europe and the United States and were held for sale at the reporting date. 

The segment information provided for the reportable segments for the years ended 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2008 is as follows: 

Total segment revenue 
Intersegment revenue 
Revenue from external 
customers 
EBITA before exceptional 
items 
Share of (loss)/profit from 
joint ventures and 
associated undertakings 

Total segment assets 
Total assets include: 
Investments in associates 
and joint ventures 
Additions to non-current 
assets (other than 
financial instruments) 

Total segment liabilities 

Broadcasting & Online   

ITV Studios     

2009
£m 
1,543 
– 

2008 

£m   
1,683   
–   

1,543 

1,683   

111 

120   

2009
£m 
597 
(262)

335 

91 

2008

£m     
622     
(316)   

306     

90   

2009
£m 
1 
– 

1 

– 

Other   

2008 

£m   
40   
–   

40   

1   

2009
£m 
2,141 
(262)

Consolidated 

2008
£m 
2,345 
(316)

1,879 

2,029 

202 

211 

(4)

(4)  

– 

–     

(3)

(11)  

(7)

(15)

1,295 

1,704   

745 

645     

3 

14   

2 

1     

35 
(489)

37   
(519)   

29 
(256)

44     

(294)

– 

– 

– 
– 

65   

2,040 

2,414 

51   

5 

66 

10   
(5)   

64 
(745)

91 
(818)

Depreciation in the year was £38 million (2008: £36 million), of which £25 million (2008: £25 million) relates to the Broadcasting & Online, £13 million 
(2008: £10 million) to ITV Studios and £nil (2008: £1 million) to Other. 

Sales between segments are carried out at arm’s length. The revenue from external parties reported to the Board of Directors is measured in  
a manner consistent with the income statement. Income statement and statement of financial position allocations between reportable segments 
are performed on a consistent basis with the exception of pension costs, which are allocated, and pension assets and liabilities, which are not.  
This reflects the basis of reporting to the Board of Directors. 

The Board of Directors assess the performance of the reportable segments based on a measure of EBITA before exceptional items, which is 

defined as operating profit/(loss) before impairment and amortisation of intangible assets and operating income/(cost) – exceptional items.  
This measurement basis excludes the effect of non-recurring income and expenditure. Amortisation, investment income and share of 

profit/(losses) of joint ventures and associates are also excluded to reflect more accurately how the business is managed and measured on a day to 
day basis. Net financing costs are not allocated to segments as this type of activity is driven by the central treasury function, which manages the 
cash position of the Group. 

A reconciliation of EBITA before exceptional items to profit/(loss) before tax is provided as follows: 

EBITA before exceptional items 
Operating income/(costs) – exceptional items 
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
Net financing costs 
Share of losses of joint ventures and associated undertakings 
Investment income 
Loss on sale and impairment of non-current assets (exceptional items) 
(Loss)/gain on sale and impairment of subsidiaries and investments (exceptional items) 
Profit/(loss) before tax 

2009
£m 
202 
53 
(59)
(91)
(7)
– 
(22)
(51)
25 

2008
£m 
211 
(97)
(2,761)
(60)
(15)
1 
(17)
6 
(2,732)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
     
 
   
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 79 

2  Operating segmental information (continued) 
The amounts provided to the Board of Directors with respect to total assets are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial 
statements. These assets are allocated based on the operations of the segment. 

Reportable segments’ assets are reconciled to total assets as follows: 

Segment assets 
Unallocated: 
Held to maturity investments 
Assets held for sale 
Total derivative financial assets 
Net deferred tax assets 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total assets per the statement of financial position 

2009
£m 
2,040 

149 
78 
156 
50 
582 
3,055 

The amounts provided to the Board of Directors with respect to total liabilities are measured in a manner consistent with that of the financial 
statements. These liabilities are allocated based on the operations of the segment. 

Reportable segments’ liabilities are reconciled to total liabilities as follows: 

Segment liabilities 
Unallocated: 
Interest accruals 
Dividends payable 
Total derivative financial liabilities 
Total borrowings 
Current tax liabilities 
Net deferred tax liability 
Defined benefit pension deficit 
Total liabilities per the statement of financial position 

2009
£m 
745 

23 
– 
34 
1,440 
31 
– 
436 
2,709 

2008
£m 
2,414 

– 
3 
218 
– 
616 
3,251 

2008
£m 
818 

30 
25 
32 
1,523 
56 
55 
178 
2,717 

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The Group’s principal operations are in the United Kingdom. Its revenue from external customers in the United Kingdom is £1,621 million  
(2008: £1,821 million), and the total revenue from external customers in other countries is £258 million (2008: £208 million). 

The total of non-current assets other than financial instruments, deferred tax assets, and employment benefit assets (there are no rights arising 

under insurance contracts) located in the UK is £1,212 million (2008: £1,443 million), and the total of these non-current assets located in other 
countries is £1 million (2008: £1 million). 

Revenues of approximately £324 million (2008: £382 million), £226 million (2008: £236 million), £194 million (2008: £222 million) and  
£190 million (2008: £193 million) are derived from four external customers. The Group’s major customers are all media buying agencies.  
These revenues are attributable to the Broadcasting & Online segment and are from the only customers which individually represent over  
10% of the Group’s revenues. 

3  Staff costs  

Wages and salaries 
Social security and other costs 
Share-based compensation (see note 7) 
Pension costs 
Total 

2009
£m 
244 
33 
11 
16 
304 

2008
£m 
287 
36 
10 
14 
347 

Staff costs within exceptional items were £32 million (2008: £26 million) principally relating to redundancy payments and reorganisation costs.  
Total staff costs including exceptional items for the year ended 31 December 2009 are £336 million (2008: £373 million).  

In addition to the pension costs shown above, is a net debit to net financing costs of £15 million (2008: credit of £16 million) and a net debit  

to retained earnings in respect of actuarial losses of £391 million (2008: losses of £124 million). 
The weighted average number of employees employed by the Group during the year was: 

Broadcasting & Online 
ITV Studios 
Other 
Total 

2009 
2,606 
1,908 
5 
4,519 

2008 
3,120 
2,338 
139 
5,597 

Details of the directors’ emoluments, share options, pension entitlements and long-term incentive scheme interests are set out in the 
Remuneration report. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 80 

4  Total operating costs  

 Staff costs 
 Before exceptional items 
 Exceptional items 

 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
 Depreciation 

 Other operating costs 
 Broadcasting schedule costs 
 Broadcasting transmission costs 
 Broadcasting industry costs 
 Licence fees 
 CSA direct costs 
 ITV Studios non-staff costs 
 Operating lease costs 
 Other operating exceptional items 
 Audit and non-audit fees paid to KPMG Audit Plc (see below) 
 Other 

 Less: Staff costs and other costs charged to broadcasting schedule costs 
 Total operating costs 

2009
£m 

304 
32 
336 

59 
38 
97 

1,006 
97 
40 
22 
1 
233 
14 
(85)
2 
106 
1,436 

(186)
1,683 

2008

£m   

347  
26  
373  

2,761  
36  
2,797  

1,125  
94  
44  
30  
33  
217  
19  
71  
2  
97  
1,732  

(226) 
4,676  

ITV Studios non-staff costs are net of the recharge for programmes supplied to ITV Broadcasting channels (which is eliminated on consolidation  
as internal revenue).  

The Group engages KPMG Audit Plc (“KPMG”) on assignments additional to their statutory audit duties where their expertise and experience with 

the Group are important. The Group’s policy on such assignments is set out in the Audit Committee report. 

Fees paid to KPMG during the year are set out below:  

Fees payable to KPMG for the audit of the Group’s annual accounts 
Fees payable to KPMG and its associates for other services: 
  The audit of the Group’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 
  Other services supplied pursuant to legislation 
  Other services relating to taxation 
  Services relating to corporate finance transactions entered into or proposed to be  

entered into by or on behalf of the Group or any of its associates 

  All other services 
Total 

2009
£m 
0.7 

0.2 
0.4 
0.2 

0.6 
0.1 
2.2 

2008
£m 
0.9 

0.2 
0.1 
0.5 

0.6 
– 
2.3 

Fees paid to KPMG for audit and other services to the Company are not disclosed in its individual accounts as the Group accounts are required to 
disclose such fees on a consolidated basis. 

 
 
 
   
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 81 

5  Exceptional items  

Operating exceptional items: 
  Reorganisation and restructuring costs 
  PRS reimbursements and fines 
  Onerous contract provisions 
  Onerous property provision  
  Pension scheme changes 
  Kangaroo closure costs 
Total net operating exceptional items 
Non-operating exceptional items: 

Loss on sale and impairment of non-current assets 
(Loss)/gain on sale, net of impairment, of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates 

  Gain/(loss) on sale, net of impairment, of available for sale financial assets 
  Gain/(loss) from sale of Kangaroo joint venture assets 
(Loss)/gain on sale and impairment of subsidiaries and investments 
Total non-operating exceptional items 
Total exceptional items before tax 

2009 
£m 

(52) 
(1) 
2 

2009 
£m 

(40) 
– 
(1) 
(14) 
110 
(2) 
53 

(22) 

(51) 
(73) 
(20) 

2008
£m 

17 
(7)
(4)

2008
£m 

(40)
(6)
(50)
– 
– 
(1)
(97)

(17)

6 
(11)
(108)

2009 
In 2009 a charge of £40 million was incurred in respect of reorganisation and restructuring costs in relation to announced efficiency savings 
programmes. 

An increase in provisions in respect of onerous contracts for sports rights of £1 million were put in place in 2009 as a consequence of the forecast 

significant decline in the advertising market over the life of those contracts . 

A £14 million charge was incurred in respect of a property vacated as a result of the significant headcount reductions in the year. 
Pension scheme changes have taken place following consultation with the Scheme members to implement a cap on increases to pensionable 
salary levels and to offer retired members the option of altering the structure of their pension by receiving an uplift now in return for giving up rights 
to future annual increases. Both of these changes will reduce the future cost and risks of operating the Pension Schemes and have resulted in a gain 
of £110 million, £38 million of which relates to a past service cost and £72 million to a curtailment gain (see note 6), and a corresponding reduction in 
the defined benefit pension deficit. 

A £2 million charge was incurred in the year relating to closure costs associated with Kangaroo. A £2 million gain is included within non-operating 

exceptional items. This reverses an impairment taken in the prior year in respect of the Group’s investment in Kangaroo following the sale of the 
joint venture’s tangible assets during the year. 

The £22 million charge for loss on sale and impairment of non-current assets relates to a £5 million impairment on properties included within 
assets held for sale to reflect their estimated market value, a £14 million impairment on property, plant and equipment to reflect their estimated 
recoverable amount and a net £3 million loss on the disposal of property plant and equipment. This includes a £2 million gain on disposal of a 
Manchester property for £2 million cash consideration, offset by the disposal of plant and equipment with a net book value of £5 million for £nil 
cash consideration following the efficiency reviews, primarily in regional news and studios related properties.  

The net £52 million loss on sale, net of impairment, of subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates includes an impairment loss of £32 million on 
the remeasurement of the Friends Reunited disposal group to the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. It also includes a net 
loss on sale of subsidiaries of £5 million, £6 million loss on the sale of Enable Media Limited off set by a £1 million gain on the sale of JFMG Limited. 
Net impairments of joint ventures and associates of £9 million include £7 million for ITN. The remaining £2 million of this comprises numerous 
movements disclosed in note 14. A £6 million charge was also incurred during the year in relation to Carlton Screen Advertising Limited being put 
into creditors’ voluntary liquidation. The charge incurred is equal to the value of its net assets no longer consolidated by the Group following the 
transfer of control of the entity to the liquidator. The Group has a £29 million other debtor due from Carlton Screen Advertising Limited, which is 
fully provided for pending the outcome of the liquidation.  

The net £1 million loss on sale, net of impairment, of available for sale assets includes a £1 million impairment incurred on marking the Group’s 
investment in STV Group plc to its fair value following a significant and sustained decline in it’s share price, a £1 million impairment of the Group’s 
10% investment in Electric Farm Entertainment LLC and a £1 million gain on disposal of shares in Ambassador Theatre Group Limited. 

2008 
In 2008 a charge of £40 million was incurred in respect of reorganisation and restructuring costs. This includes £18 million related to Regional News 
and £22 million as a result of other efficiency programmes. 

On 8 May 2008, Ofcom announced a fine to ITV of £6 million in respect of breaches of the programme code relating to premium rate services  

on ITV1 and ITV2. At the date of approval of the 2007 accounts, the regulator had not yet confirmed the level of any fine that might have been 
imposed in this context. Therefore no provision for a fine was able to be included in the 2007 accounts. 

Provisions in respect of onerous contracts for sports rights of £50 million were put in place in 2008 as a consequence of the forecast significant 

decline in the advertising market over the life of those contracts. 

A £1 million charge was incurred in the year relating to closure costs associated with Kangaroo. A £4 million charge, included within non-operating 

exceptional items, related to the impairment of the joint venture investment to £nil. 

An impairment of £14 million was charged on the Manchester properties prior to their reclassification from assets held for sale to fixed assets  

and an impairment of £3 million has been charged on the remaining property classified in assets held for sale. 

During the year, as part of the ongoing process to dispose of non-core businesses and investments, the Group sold its 50% interests in Arsenal 
Broadband Limited and Liverpool FC.tv Limited, resulting in gains of £12 million and £13 million respectively. These and other smaller gains were 
partially offset by £9 million of closure costs relating to CSA and a £3 million impairment in the Group’s investment in Screenvision Holdings (Europe) 
Limited both of which are disclosed in the ‘‘other’’ reporting segment. 

An impairment of the holding in STV Group plc, which is held in the Broadcasting segment, of £7 million was made in 2008 following a significant 

and sustained decline in its share price. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 82 

6  Pension schemes 
The Group operates a number of defined benefit and defined contribution pension schemes. 

The pension scheme assets are held in a separate trustee-administered fund to meet long-term pension liabilities to past and present employees.  

The trustees of the fund are required to act in the best interest of the fund’s beneficiaries. The appointment of trustees to the fund is determined 
by the scheme’s trust documentation.  

Defined contribution schemes 
Total contributions recognised as an expense in relation to defined contribution schemes during 2009 were £4 million (2008: £4 million). 

Defined benefit schemes 
The Group provides retirement benefits to some of its former employees and approximately 25% of current monthly paid employees through 
defined benefit schemes. The Group’s main scheme was formed from a merger of a number of schemes on 31 January 2006. The level of 
retirement benefit is principally based on pensionable salary at retirement. 

The liabilities of the defined benefit scheme are measured by discounting the best estimate of future cash flows to be paid out by the scheme 

using the projected unit method. This amount is reflected in the deficit in the consolidated statement of financial position. The projected unit 
method is an accrued benefits valuation method in which the scheme liabilities make allowance for projected earnings. The accumulated benefit 
obligation is an actuarial measure of the present value of benefits for service already rendered but differs from the projected unit method in that it 
includes an allowance for early leaver statutory revaluation rather than projected pensionable salary increases. At the reporting date the 
accumulated benefit obligation was £2,720 million (2008: £2,310 million). 

The assets and liabilities of all of the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position  

at 31 December 2009 under IAS 19 (as explained in detail in this note) were £2,251 million (2008: £2,161 million) and £2,687 million (2008:  
£2,339 million) respectively, resulting in a net deficit in the defined benefit schemes of £436 million (2008: £178 million). 

An alternative method of valuation to the projected unit method is a solvency basis, often estimated using the cost of buying out benefits at the 

consolidated statement of financial position date with a suitable insurer. This amount represents the amount that would be required to settle the 
scheme liabilities at the consolidated statement of financial position date rather than the Group continuing to fund the ongoing liabilities of the 
scheme. The Group estimates the shortfall in the amount required to settle the scheme’s liabilities at the consolidated statement of financial 
position date is £1,500 million (2008: £1,800 million). 

The statutory funding objective is that the scheme has sufficient and appropriate assets to pay its benefits as they fall due. This is a long-term 
target. Future contributions will always be set at least at the level required to satisfy the statutory funding objective. The general principles adopted 
by the trustees are that the assumptions used, taken as a whole, will be sufficiently prudent for pensions and benefits already in payment to 
continue to be paid, and to reflect the commitments which will arise from members’ accrued pension rights. 

The Group’s main scheme, formed by merger on 31 January 2006, consists of three sections, A, B and C. The first triennial valuation of section A 
was completed as at 1 January 2008 by an independent actuary for the Trustees of the ITV Pension Scheme. The first triennial valuation of sections 
B and C were completed as at 1 January 2007 and the next triennial valuation of these sections are being undertaken as at 1 January 2010.  
The Group will monitor funding levels annually.  

The levels of ongoing contributions are based on the current service costs and the expected future cash flows of the defined benefit scheme. 

Normal employer contributions into the schemes in 2010 for current service are expected to be in the region of £9 million (2009: £11 million) 
assuming current contribution rates continue as agreed with the scheme trustees. In addition, deficit funding payments of £30 million per annum 
are expected for the next four years. The Group estimates the average duration of UK scheme liabilities to be 14 years (2008: 14 years).  

 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 83 

6   Pension schemes (continued)  
The movement in the present value of the defined benefit obligation for these schemes is analysed below: 

Defined benefit obligation at 1 January 
Current service cost 
Curtailment gain (redundancies) 
Operating exceptional curtailment gain (salary cap) 
Past service cost (augmentations) 
Operating exceptional past service credit (one off change to pension payment) 
Interest cost 
Net actuarial loss/(gain) 
Contributions by scheme participants 
Benefits paid 
Defined benefit obligation at 31 December 

2009
£m 
2,339 
7 
(2)
(72)
1 
(38)
143 
439 
4 
(134)
2,687 

2008
£m 
2,603 
12 
(2)
– 
– 
– 
146 
(314)
6 
(112)
2,339 

The present value of the defined benefit obligation is analysed between wholly unfunded and funded defined benefit schemes in the table below: 

Defined benefit obligation in respect of funded schemes 
Defined benefit obligation in respect of wholly unfunded schemes 
Total defined benefit obligation 

The movement in the fair value of the defined benefit scheme assets is analysed below: 

Fair value of scheme assets at 1 January 
Expected return on assets 
Net actuarial gain/(loss) 
Employer contributions 
Contributions by scheme participants 
Benefits and expenses paid 
Fair value of scheme assets at 31 December 

2009
£m 
2,653 
34 
2,687 

2009
£m 
2,161 
128 
48 
44 
4 
(134)
2,251 

2008
£m 
2,309 
30 
2,339 

2008
£m 
2,491 
162 
(438)
52 
6 
(112)
2,161 

The assets and liabilities of the scheme are recognised in the consolidated statement of financial position and shown within non-current liabilities. 
The total recognised is: 

Total defined benefit scheme assets 
Total defined benefit scheme obligations 
Net amount recognised within the consolidated statement of financial position 

Amounts recognised through the income statement are as follows: 

2009
£m 
2,251 
(2,687)
(436)

2008 
£m 
2,161 
(2,339) 
(178) 

2007 
£m 
2,491 
(2,603) 
(112) 

2006 
£m 
2,372 
(2,657)
(285)

2005 
£m 
2,072 
(2,604)
(532)

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Amount charged to operating costs: 
  Current service cost 
  Curtailment gain (redundancies) 
  Past service cost (augmentations) 

Amount credited to operating income - exceptional items: 
  Curtailment gain 
  Past service credit (one-off change to pensions payment) 

Amount (charged)/credited to net financing costs: 
Expected return on pension scheme assets 
Interest cost 

Total credited in the consolidated income statement 

2009
£m 

(7)
2 
(1)
(6)

72 
38 
110 

128 
(143)
(15)
89 

2008
£m 

(12)
2 
–
(10)

– 
– 
– 

162 
(146)
16 
6 

Two operating exceptional gains were recognised in 2009 in relation to changes made to the ITV Pension Scheme: a curtailment gain of £72 million 
in relation to the cap on increase to pensionable salaries; and a past service credit of £38 million in relation to the one off change to pension 
payments. These are included within the figures above. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 84 

6   Pension schemes (continued)  
The amounts recognised through the consolidated statement of comprehensive income/(cost) are: 

Actuarial gains and (losses): 
  Arising on scheme assets 
  Arising on scheme liabilities 

2009
£m 

48 
(439)
(391)

2008
£m 

(438)
314 
(124)

The cumulative amount of actuarial gains and losses recognised through the consolidated statement of comprehensive income since 1 January 
2004 is an actuarial loss of £319 million (2008: £72 million gain). 

Included within actuarial gains and losses are experience adjustments as follows: 

Experience adjustments on scheme assets 
Experience adjustments on scheme liabilities 

2009
£m 
48 
– 

2008 
£m 
(438) 
– 

2007 
£m 
15 
(18) 

2006
£m 
32 
(12)

At 31 December 2009 the scheme assets were invested in a diversified portfolio that consisted primarily of equity and debt securities. 

The fair value of the scheme assets are shown below by major category: 

Market value of assets – equity-type assets 
Market value of assets – bonds 
Market value of assets – other 
Total scheme assets 

Market
value
2009
£m 
869 
1,263 
119 
2,251 

2005
£m 
219 
9 

Market
value
2008
£m 
704 
1,330 
127 
2,161 

Exposure through the different asset classes is obtained through a combination of executing swaps and investing in physical assets. Some of these 
bond investments are issued by the UK Government. The risk of default on these is very small compared to the risk of default on corporate bond 
investments, although some risk may remain. The trustees also hold corporate bonds and other fixed interest securities. There is a more significant 
risk of default on these which is assessed by various rating agencies. In 2009 yields have reduced relative to gilts which is partly attributed to a 
decrease in default risk in respect of these bonds. 

The trustees also have a substantial holding of equity-type investments (predominantly equities with some exposure to hedge funds and 
infrastructure). The investment return related to these is variable, and they are generally considered much “riskier” investments. It is generally 
accepted that the yield on equity investments will contain a premium (“the equity risk premium”) to compensate investors for the additional  
risk of holding this type of investment. There is significant uncertainty about the likely size of this risk premium.  

In respect of overseas equity investments there is an additional risk associated with the exposure to unfavourable currency movements.  

To reduce this risk, the scheme aims to hedge broadly 60% of the overseas equity investment against currency movements. 

The expected return for each asset class is weighted based on the target asset allocation for 2010 to develop the expected long-term rate  

of return on assets assumption for the portfolio.  

The benchmark for 2010 is to hold broadly 47% equities and 53% bonds. The majority of the equities held by the scheme are in international  
blue chip entities. The aim is to hold a globally diversified portfolio of equities, with a target of broadly 22% of equities being held in UK and 78%  
of equities held overseas. Within the bond portfolio the aim is to hold 58% of the portfolio in government bonds (gilts) and 42% of the portfolio  
in corporate bonds and other fixed interest securities. 

The expected rates of return on plan assets by major category and target allocations are set out below: 

Equity and Property 
Bonds 

Expected  
long-term rate 
of return 
2010 
% p.a. 
8.1 
4.0 – 5.0 

Planned asset 
allocation 
2010 
% of assets 
47 
53 

Expected 
long-term rate
of return
2009
% p.a. 
7.5 
3.6 – 6.3 

Planned asset 
allocation
2009
% of assets 
47 
53 

The expected return on plan assets is based on market expectations at the beginning of the financial period for returns over the life of the related 
obligation. The expected yield on bond investments with fixed interest rates can be derived exactly from their market value. 

The actual return on plan assets in the year ended 31 December 2009 was an increase of £176 million (2008: decrease of £276 million). 
The principal assumptions used in the scheme valuations at the end of the reporting period were: 

Rate of general increase in salaries 
Rate of pensionable salary increases 
Rate of increase in pension payment (LPI 5% pension increases) 
Rate of increase to deferred pensions 
Discount rate for scheme liabilities 
Inflation assumption 

2009   
4.40% 
0.90% 
3.30% 
3.40% 
5.70% 
3.40% 

2008 
3.80% 
3.80% 
2.70% 
2.80% 
6.30% 
2.80% 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 85 

6   Pension schemes (continued)  
IAS 19 requires that the discount rate used be determined by reference to market yields at the reporting date on high quality fixed income 
investments. The currency and term of these should be consistent with the currency and estimated term of the post-employment obligations.  
The discount rate has been based on the yield available on AA rated corporate bonds of a term similar to the liabilities. 

The expected rate of inflation is an important building block for salary growth and pension increase assumptions. A rate of inflation is “implied” 

by the difference between the yields on fixed and index-linked Government bonds. However, differences in demand for these can distort this 
implied figure. The Bank of England target inflation rate has also been considered in setting this assumption. 

The Group has used PA92 year of birth tables with medium cohort improvements, with a 1% per annum underpin and a one year age rating  
(i.e. tables are adjusted so that a member is assumed to be one year older than actual age). Using these tables the assumed life expectations on  
retirement are: 

Retiring today at age 
Males 
Females 

Retiring in 20 years at age 
Males 
Females 

2009 
60 
26.5 
29.8 

60 
28.5 
31.9 

2009 
65 
21.6 
24.8 

65 
23.4 
26.7 

2008 
60 
26.5 
29.8 

60 
28.5 
31.9 

2008 
65 
21.6 
24.8 

65 
23.4 
26.7 

The tables above reflect published mortality investigation data in conjunction with the results of investigations into the mortality experience  
of scheme members. 

The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme’s liabilities are set out below. The illustrations consider the 
single change shown with the other assumptions assumed to be unchanged. In practice, changes in one assumption may be accompanied by 
offsetting changes in another assumption (although this is not always the case). The Group’s liability is the difference between the scheme liabilities 
and the scheme assets. Changes in the assumptions may occur at the same time as changes in the market value of scheme assets. These may or 
may not offset the change in assumptions. For example, a fall in interest rates will increase the scheme liability, but may also trigger an offsetting 
increase in the market value of certain scheme assets so there is no net effect on the Group’s liability. 

Assumption 
Discount rate 
Rate of inflation 
Life expectations 

Change in assumption 
Increase/decrease by 0.5% 
Increase/decrease by 0.5% 
Increase by 1 year 

Impact on scheme liabilities 
Decrease/increase by 7% 
Increase/decrease by 7% 
Increase by 2% 

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 86 

7  Share-based compensation 

Outstanding at 1 January 
Granted during the year – nil priced 
Granted during the year – other 
Forfeited during the year 
Exercised during the year 
Expired during the year 
Outstanding at 31 December 
Exercisable at 31 December 

The average share price during 2009 was 38.37 pence (2008: 52.34 pence). 

Range of exercise prices (pence) 
Nil 
20.00–49.99 
50.00–69.99 
70.00–99.99 
100.00–109.99 
110.00–119.99 
120.00–149.99 
200.00–249.99 
250.00–299.99 
300.00–385.99 

Weighted 
average exercise 
price
(pence) 
– 
28.60 
55.40 
84.75 
101.90 
114.14 
137.33 
217.78 
270.09 
385.31 

Number of 
options
(’000) 
47,851 
13,326 
5,377 
1,462 
11,321 
6,787 
3,401 
1,035 
11,337 
91 

2009   

Weighted 
average exercise 
price 
(pence)   
71.88  
–  
28.60  
39.23  
–  
52.19  
63.94  
160.42  

Number of 
options
(’000) 
116,454 
26,821 
13,498 
(12,794) 
(8,772) 
(33,218) 
101,989 
33,694 

2008 

Weighted 
average exercise 
price
(pence) 
79.46 
– 
52.00 
52.99 
6.63 
80.94 
71.88 
151.48 

Number of
options
(’000) 
131,803 
20,929 
15,132 
(15,295)
(11,351)
(24,764)
116,454 
42,057 

2009   

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual
life
(years)   
3.23  
3.71  
2.58  
1.99  
1.04  
4.22  
1.87  
0.98  
0.54  
0.40  

Weighted 
average exercise 
price 
(pence) 
– 
– 
53.80 
84.95 
101.96 
114.55 
133.63 
217.78 
270.25 
385.31 

2008 

Weighted 
average 
remaining 
contractual
life
(years) 
4.20 
– 
3.54 
2.68 
2.04 
5.73 
3.97 
1.98 
1.54 
1.40 

Number of 
options
(’000) 
53,272 
– 
14,106 
4,546 
12,032 
11,957 
6,367 
1,201 
12,882 
91 

Share schemes  
Full details of the Turnaround Plan, Commitment Scheme, Performance Share Plan and Deferred Share Award Plan can be found in the 
Remuneration report. 

Awards made under the Granada Media and Granada Commitment schemes, the Granada Media, Granada and Carlton Executive Share Option 
schemes, the Carlton Equity Participation Plan, and the Carlton Deferred Annual Bonus Plan have all reached the end of their various performance 
periods, and have vested or lapsed accordingly. Details of the performance criteria that applied to these awards have been detailed in the notes to 
previous accounts, and in previous Remuneration reports. The Granada and ITV Save As You Earn schemes are Inland Revenue Approved SAYE 
schemes. Although some awards remain vested but unexercised under these Plans, they are not considered material for the purposes of disclosure 
in this note. 

Exercises can be satisfied by market purchase or issue of new shares. No new shares may be issued to satisfy exercises under the terms of the 

Deferred Share Award Plan. During the year all exercises were satisfied by using shares purchased in the market and held in the ITV Employees’ 
Benefit Trust rather than by issuing new shares. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 87 

7   Share-based compensation (continued) 
Assumptions relating to grants of share options during 2009 and 2008: 

Scheme name 
Save As You Earn 
ITV – three year 
ITV – five year 
ITV – three year 
ITV – five year 
Performance Share Plan  
ITV – three year 
Turnaround Plan 
ITV – three year 
ITV – five year 
ITV – three year 
ITV – five year 

Date of 
grant 

Share price 
at grant
(pence) 

Exercise 
price
(pence) 

Expected     
volatility    
%    

Expected life 
(years) 

Gross dividend      
yield     
%     

Risk free    
rate    
%     

04-Apr-08 
04-Apr-08 
17-Jul-09 
17-Jul-09 

65.00 
65.00 
35.00 
35.00 

52.00 
52.00 
28.60 
28.60 

25.00% 
25.00% 
53.00% 
43.00% 

3.25 
5.25 
3.25 
5.25 

2.84% 
2.84% 
– 
– 

3.93% 
4.09% 
2.40% 
3.10% 

Fair value
(pence) 

17.00 
19.00 
17.00 
18.00 

01-Jun-09 

40.00 

12-Sep-08 
12-Sep-08 
02-Oct-08 
02-Oct-08 

49.90 
49.90 
42.30 
42.30 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

53.00% 

3.00 

– 

2.10% 

30.20 

25.00% 
25.00% 
25.00% 
25.00% 

2.25 
4.25 
2.25 
4.25 

2.96% 
2.96% 
2.96% 
2.96% 

5.04% 
4.98% 
5.04% 
4.98% 

14.00 
18.00 
12.00 
16.00 

The expected volatility has been revised upwards for awards made in 2009, reflecting historic volatility of ITV plc’s share price and equity markets as 
a whole over the preceding three or five years, dependent on the expected life of the award, prior to the grant date of the share options awarded. 
The expected volatility of the 2008 awards was based on the historic volatility of ITV plc, which was formed on the merger of Granada plc and 
Carlton Communications Plc on 2 February 2004. 

The awards made under the Commitment Scheme, Performance Share Plan and Turnaround Plan all have market based performance 
conditions which are taken into account in the fair value calculation using a Monte Carlo pricing model. The Black-Scholes model is used to value  
the Save As You Earn Schemes as these do not have any market performance conditions. 
Share-based compensation charges totalled £11 million in 2009 (2008: £10 million).  

8  Net financing costs 

Financing income: 
Interest income 
Expected return on defined benefit pension scheme assets 

  Gain on bond exchange 
  Change in fair value of instruments classified at fair value through profit or loss 

Foreign exchange gain 

Financing costs: 

Interest expense on financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 
Interest on defined benefit pension plan obligations 
Losses on early settlement 

  Change in fair value of instruments classified at fair value through profit or loss 

Foreign exchange loss 
  Other interest expense 

Net financing costs 

The foreign exchange gain/loss is economically hedged by cross currency interest rate swaps. See note 25 for further details. 

2009
£m 

23 
128 
14 
– 
36 
201 

(93)
(143)
(8)
(37)
– 
(11)
(292)
(91)

2008
£m 

31 
162 
– 
123 
– 
316 

(110)
(146)
– 
– 
(116)
(4)
(376)
(60)

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 88 

9  Taxation  

Current tax 
  Current tax charge before exceptional items  
  Current tax credit on exceptional items  

  Adjustment for prior periods  

Deferred tax: 
  Origination and reversal of temporary differences  
  Deferred tax on exceptional items 
  Adjustment for prior periods  

Total taxation credit in the income statement 

Reconciliation of taxation credit: 

Profit/(loss) before tax 
Taxation (charge)/credit at UK corporation tax rate of 28% (2008: 28.5%) 
Non-taxable/non-deductible exceptional items 
Non-taxable income/non-deductible expenses 
Tax losses  
Over provision in prior periods 
Impact of tax rate change 
Impact of goodwill impairment 
Other 

2009
£m 

(13)
10 
(3)
68 
65 

21 
(31)
14 
4 
69 

2009
£m 
25 
(7)
(21)
(8)
26 
82 
– 
– 
(3)
69 

2008
£m 

(28)
23 
(5)
198 
193 

(3)
– 
(12)
(15)
178 

2008
£m 
(2,732)
779 
(8)
(6)
– 
186 
1 
(768)
(6)
178 

In the year ended 31 December 2009 the effective tax rate is lower (2008: lower) than the standard rate of UK corporation tax primarily as a result  
of adjustments in respect of prior periods due to progress in the agreement with revenue authorities of prior periods’ tax liabilities. In addition, a tax 
credit totalling £101 million (2008: credit of £35 million) has been recognised directly in equity representing current tax of £nil (2008: credit of £nil) 
and a deferred tax credit of £101 million (2008: credit of £35 million).  

Tax losses of £26 million (2008: £nil) relate to a credit for utilisation of loan relationship deficits of £23 million (2008: £nil), offset by a charge for 
unrecognised deferred tax on tax losses arising in the year of £9 million (2008: £nil) and a credit for other tax losses arising in the year of £12 million 
(2008: £nil). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 89 

9   Taxation (continued) 
Deferred tax assets/(liabilities) recognised and their movements are: 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Programme rights 
Pension scheme deficits 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings, and derivatives 
Share-based compensation 
Unremitted earnings of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 
Other 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible assets 
Programme rights 
Pension scheme deficits 
Pensions funding payments 
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings, and derivatives 
Share-based compensation 
Unremitted earnings of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 
Other 

At  
1 January 
2009 
£m 
(15) 
(95) 
4 
49 
(1) 
4 
(3) 
2 
(55) 

At  
1 January 
2008 
£m 
(13) 
(113) 
3 
31 
11 
(2) 
4 
(2) 
6 
(75) 

Recognised  
in the income 
statement 
£m 
16 
13 
(2) 
(25) 
– 
– 
– 
2 
4 

Recognised  
in the income 
statement 
£m 
(2) 
18 
1 
(17) 
(11) 
1 
– 
(1) 
(4) 
(15) 

Recognised 
in equity
£m 
– 
– 
– 
98 
– 
3 
– 
– 
101 

Recognised 
in equity
£m 
– 
– 
– 
35 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
35 

At 
31 December
2009
£m 
1 
(82)
2 
122 
(1)
7 
(3)
4 
50 

At 
31 December
2008
£m 
(15)
(95)
4 
49 
– 
(1)
4 
(3)
2 
(55)

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At 31 December 2009 total deferred tax assets are £136 million (2008: £59 million) and total deferred tax liabilities are £86 million  
(2008: £114 million). 

Deferred tax assets of £625 million and £60 million (2008: £625 million and £83 million) in respect of capital losses of £2,230 million (2008:  
£2,233 million) and loan relationship deficits of £214 million (2008: £296 million) respectively, have not been recognised due to uncertainties as to 
their amount and whether gain or income will arise in the appropriate form and relevant territory against which such losses could be utilised. For the 
same reasons, deferred tax assets in respect of overseas losses of £10 million (2008: £10 million) which time expire between 2017 and 2026 have not 
been recognised. 

10  Dividends 
Dividends declared and recognised through equity in the year were: 

Equity shares: 

Final 2007 dividend of 1.8 pence per share 
Interim 2008 dividend of 0.675 pence per share 

No 2009 interim dividend was declared. No final dividend will be declared for 2009 (2008 £nil).  

2009
£m 

– 
– 
– 

2008
£m 

70 
26 
96 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 90 

11  Earnings per share 

Profit/(loss) for the year attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company 
Exceptional items (including related tax effect of a debit of £21 million,  
2008: credit of £23 million) 
Profit/(loss) for the year before exceptional items 
Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets (including related tax credit  
of £14 million, 2008: £14 million) 
Adjustments to net financing costs (including related tax effect of a credit £3 million,  
2008: debit of £6 million) 
Prior period tax adjustments 
Other tax adjustments 
Profit for the year before exceptional items, amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible 
assets, net financing cost adjustments and prior period and other tax adjustments 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue – million 
Dilution impact of share options – million 
Dilution impact of convertible bond – million 

Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share 
Basic earnings/(loss) per ordinary share 
Add: Loss per ordinary share on exceptional items 
Earnings/(loss) per ordinary share before exceptional items 
Add: Loss per ordinary share on amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets 
Add: Gain/(loss) per ordinary share on adjustments to net financing costs 
Subtract: Profit per ordinary share on prior period tax adjustments 
Subtract: Profit per ordinary share on other tax adjustments 
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share for the year 

2009 

Diluted 
£m   
92  

41  
133  

2008 
(restated) 

Diluted
£m 
(2,556)

85 
(2,471)

Basic
£m 
(2,556)

85 
(2,471)

37  

2,739 

2,739 

9  
(82)  
(26)  

71  

3,882  
13  
192  
4,087  

(11)
(186)
– 

(11)
(186)
– 

71 

71 

3,877 
– 
– 
3,877 

3,877 
9 
– 
3,886 

Basic
£m 
91 

41 
132 

37 

9 
(82) 
(26) 

70 

3,882 
– 
– 
3,882 

2.3p 

2.3p  

(65.9)p 

(65.9)p 

2.3p 
1.1p 
3.4p 
1.0p 
0.2p 
(2.1)p 
(0.7)p 
1.8p 

2.3p  
1.0p  
3.3p  
0.9p  
0.2p  
(2.1)p  
(0.6)p  
1.7p  

(65.9)p 
2.2p 
(63.7)p 
70.6p 
(0.3)p 
(4.8)p 
– 
1.8p 

(65.9)p 
2.2p 
(63.7)p 
70.6p 
(0.3)p 
(4.8)p 
– 
1.8p 

An adjusted earnings per share figure has been disclosed because in the view of the directors this gives a fairer reflection of core business 
performance. The basis for adjusted earnings per share has been changed in the year to more accurately reflect this and the 2008 comparison has 
been restated accordingly. Net financing costs are now adjusted for the non-cash imputed pension interest charge, mark-to-market movements on 
swaps and foreign exchange movements on bonds, the impact of amortised cost adjustments from coupon step-ups, one off gains and losses on 
exchanges and buybacks of bonds and the effective interest on the onerous contract provision. Internally generated intangible asset amortisation is 
now also included within adjusted earnings.  

Diluted earnings per share have been impacted in 2009 by the issue of the £135 million Convertible Eurobond 2016 in November 2009.  
The conversion of share options in 2008 is anti-dilutive, so the diluted loss per share in 2008 has been shown as the same as basic loss per share  
in accordance with IAS 33 “Earnings per Share”. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 91 

12  Property, plant and equipment  

Cost 
At 1 January 2008 
Additions 
Reclassification from assets held for sale 
Disposals and retirements 
At 31 December 2008 
Additions 
Reclassification 
Reclassification to assets held for sale 
Disposals and retirements 
At 31 December 2009 

Depreciation 
At 1 January 2008 
Charge for the year 
Disposals and retirements 
At 31 December 2008 
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge for the year (see note 5) 
Reclassification 
Reclassification to assets held for sale 
Disposals and retirements 
At 31 December 2009 
Net book value 
At 31 December 2009 

At 31 December 2008 

Freehold land
and buildings   

Improvements to leasehold 
land and buildings   

Vehicles, equipment and fittings   

£m   

23  
–  
27  
(1) 
49  
–  
5  
–  
–  
54  

–  
1  
(1) 
–  
3  
6  
3  
–  
–  
12  

42  

49  

Long
£m 

66 
– 
3 
– 
69 
– 
(1)
(14)
(4)
50 

12 
1 
– 
13 
3 
2 
– 
(5)
(1)
12 

38 

56 

Short

£m   

Owned 
£m 

Finance Leases

£m   

21  
–  
–  
(1) 
20  
–  
–  
–  
–  
20  

8  
1  
(1) 
8  
2  
4  
–  
–  
–  
14  

6  

12  

251 
21 
– 
(31) 
241 
14 
(4) 
– 
(40) 
211 

144 
30 
(25) 
149 
27 
2 
(3) 
– 
(31) 
144 

67 

92 

16  
–  
–  
(1) 
15  
–  
–  
–  
–  
15  

2  
3  
(1) 
4  
3  
–  
–  
–  
–  
7  

8  

11  

Included within the book values above is expenditure of £3 million (2008: £10 million) on property, plant and equipment that is in the course  
of construction. The amount of contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment is disclosed in note 33.  

13  Intangible assets 

Cost 
At 1 January 2008 
Acquisition of subsidiaries 
Purchase of brands and software development 
At 31 December 2008 
Purchase of software development 
Reclassification to assets held for sale 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2009 
Amortisation and impairment 
At 1 January 2008 
Charge for the year 
Impairment charge 
At 31 December 2008 
Charge for the year 
Reclassification to assets held for sale 
Disposals 
At 31 December 2009 
Net book value 
At 31 December 2009 

At 31 December 2008 

Goodwill
£m 

Brands
£m 

Customer 
contracts and 
relationships
£m 

Licences 
£m 

Software 
development 
£m 

Film
 libraries and 
other
£m 

3,478 
6 
– 
3,484 
– 
(115)
(4)
3,365 

40 
– 
2,695 
2,735 
– 
(81)
– 
2,654 

711 

749 

199 
– 
1 
200 
– 
(26)
(1)
173 

68 
18 
– 
86 
17 
(9)
– 
94 

79 

114 

338 
– 
– 
338 
– 
(8)
(2)
328 

212 
22 
– 
234 
21 
(5)
(1)
249 

79 

104 

121 
– 
– 
121 
– 
– 
– 
121 

29 
9 
– 
38 
9 
– 
– 
47 

74 

83 

26 
– 
20 
46 
13 
– 
(7) 
52 

1 
8 
– 
9 
8 
– 
(5) 
12 

40 

37 

83 
1 
– 
84 
– 
(3)
(2)
79 

22 
9 
– 
31 
4 
(2)
(1)
32 

47 

53 

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Total 

£m 

377 
21 
30 
(34)
394 
14 
– 
(14)
(44)
350 

166 
36 
(28)
174 
38 
14 
– 
(5)
(32)
189 

161 

220 

Total
£m 

4,245 
7 
21 
4,273 
13 
(152)
(16)
4,118 

372 
66 
2,695 
3,133 
59 
(97)
(7)
3,088 

1,030 

1,140 

Included within the book values above is expenditure of £6 million (2008: £nil) on software development that is in the course of development.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 92 

13  Intangible assets (continued) 
Amortisation of intangible assets is shown within operating costs in the income statement.  

Impairment tests for cash generating units containing goodwill 
The following units have significant carrying amounts of goodwill: 

Broadcasting 
Online 
GMTV 
SDN 
ITV Studios 

2009
£m 
265 
30 
33 
76 
307 
711 

2008
£m 
265 
68 
33 
76 
307 
749 

The recoverable amount of each CGU is based on value in use calculations. These calculations require the use of estimates and use pre-tax cash flow 
projections based on the Group’s current five-year plan. Cash flows beyond the five-year period are extrapolated using an estimated growth rate  
of 1%–2.5% depending on the CGU and are appropriate because these are long-term businesses. The growth rates used are consistent with the  
long-term average growth rates for the industry. 

Impairment tests are carried out annually, or when indicators show that assets may be impaired. The impairment tests carried out as a 
consequence have resulted in no impairment charge for the year (2008: £2,695 million) being applied against the goodwill in these CGUs.  

A pre-tax market discount rate of 12.9% has been used in discounting the projected cash flows for each CGU. The pre-tax market discount rate 

used in the previous year on the same basis was 11.9%. The discount rate has been revised to reflect the latest market assumptions for the Risk  
Free-rate and Equity Risk Premium and also to take into account the net cost of debt. Management believe that a consistent discount rate can be 
applied to all CGUs due to similarity of the risk factors affecting them and their geographical spread. Management believe that there is currently  
no reasonably possible change in discount rate that would reduce the headroom in any CGU to zero. 

Broadcasting 
The goodwill in this CGU arose as a result of the acquisition of broadcasting businesses since 1999, the largest of which were the acquisition by 
Granada of United News and Media’s broadcast businesses in 2000 and the merger of Carlton and Granada in 2004 to form ITV plc. In 2007, as a 
result of the early adoption of IFRS 8 Operating Segments, this goodwill was apportioned between the Broadcasting and Online CGUs based on the 
relative Net Present Value of the cash flows of the two segments.  

No impairment charge arose in the Broadcasting CGU during the course of 2009 (2008: £2,309 million), due to the anticipated stabilisation in the 

advertising market in 2010 and the cost savings achieved in 2009. Management believe that currently no reasonably possible change in the 
advertising market would reduce the headroom in this CGU to zero. Broadcasting goodwill was reduced in the year by £nil (2008: £57 million)  
as required by IAS 12, following the recognition of deferred tax assets not recognised at the time of the Carlton/Granada merger. 

The main assumptions on which the forecast cash flows were based include the television share of advertising market, share of commercial 

impacts, programme and other costs. The key assumption in assessing the recoverable amount of Broadcasting goodwill is the size of the TV 
advertising market. In forming its assumptions about the TV advertising market, the Group has used a combination of long-term trends, industry 
forecasts and in-house estimates which place greater emphasis on recent experience. These are broadly in the range of -3% to +3% for 2010 and  
+2% to +5% for 2011, with our assumptions at the cautious end of these ranges. It is also assumed that ITV elects to renew its broadcasting licences 
in 2014.  

The impairment charge in 2008 arose as a result of the downturn in the short-term outlook for the advertising market. The outlook  

for advertising, including Online, improved in particular towards the end of 2009 and video on demand continued to grow. 

Online 
As noted above, in 2007 as a result of the adoption of IFRS 8, Broadcasting goodwill was apportioned between the Broadcasting and Online  
CGUs based on the relative net present value of the cash flows of the two operating segments. This resulted in £257 million of Online goodwill.  
The remainder of the Online goodwill arose on the acquisition of Friends Reunited in 2005. 

No impairment charge arose in the Online CGU during the course of 2009 (2008: £308 million). However, a net £34 million (2008: £nil) of goodwill 

associated with the disposal groups has been transferred from intangible assets to assets held for sale and a net £4 million was disposed of on the 
sale of the Enable Media business. 

The key assumption on which the cash flows were based is the Group’s online advertising revenue growth. Online advertising is dependent on  
a number of factors including Online’s share of the total advertising market, as well as page impressions, unique users, average dwell times, video 
views and advertising rates (CPT) generated by the Group’s online sites. However, no one factor is key in determining the Group’s online advertising 
revenue. The Group’s online revenue growth assumptions have been determined by using a combination of industry forecasts and in-house 
estimates of growth rates which are based on recent experience. Industry estimates of growth in the online advertising market range from 4% to 
17% in 2010 and 9% to 20% in 2011. 

Management believe that currently no reasonably possible change in the revenue assumptions would reduce the headroom in this CGU to zero. 

The impairment charge in 2008 arose as a result of the downturn in the short-term outlook for the advertising market which is an area highly 
exposed to the general downturn in the economy and the over-supply of white-space advertising on online sites, leading to a significant fall  
in rates. The outlook for advertising, including Online, improved in particular towards the end of 2009 and video on demand continued to grow. 

GMTV 
The goodwill in this CGU arose initially on the acquisition of a 75% shareholding in GMTV Limited in 2004. The remaining 25% interest in this 
subsidiary was purchased in November 2009 and did not give rise to an adjustment to goodwill in accordance with IAS27. 

No impairment charge arose in the GMTV CGU during the course of 2009 (2008: £21 million). The main assumptions on which the forecast  
cash flows are based are as described under the Broadcasting CGU above. Management believe that currently no reasonably possible change in  
the advertising market would reduce the headroom in this CGU to zero. 

The impairment charge in 2008 arose as a result of the downturn in the short-term outlook for the advertising market, which has since recovered 

in 2009. 

 
 
 
 
 
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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 93 

13  Intangible assets (continued) 
SDN 
The goodwill in this CGU arose on the acquisition of SDN (the licence operator for DTT Multiplex A) in 2005 and represented the wider strategic 
benefits of the acquisition to ITV plc. The strategic benefits were principally the enhanced ability to promote Freeview as a platform, business 
relationships with the channels which are on Multiplex A and additional capacity available from 2010. 

The main assumptions on which the forecast cash flows were based are income to be earned from medium-term contracts and the market price 

of available multiplex video streams in the period up to and beyond digital switch over. These assumptions have been determined by using a 
combination of current contract terms, recent market transactions and in-house estimates of video stream availability and pricing. It is also assumed 
that the Multiplex A licence is renewed to 2022. Management believe that currently no reasonably possible change in the income and availability 
assumptions would reduce the headroom in this CGU to zero.  

ITV Studios 
The goodwill in this CGU arose as a result of the acquisition of production businesses since 1999, the largest of which were the acquisition  
by Granada of United News and Media’s production businesses in 2000 and the merger of Carlton and Granada in 2004 to form ITV plc. 

The key assumptions on which the forecast cash flows were based include revenue (including the share of total network programme budget 
obtained) and margin growth. These assumptions have been determined by using a combination of extrapolation of historical trends within the 
business, industry estimates and in-house estimates of growth rates in all markets. Management believe that currently no reasonably possible 
change in the revenue and margin assumptions would reduce the headroom in this CGU to zero.  

14  Investments in joint ventures and associated undertakings 

At 1 January 2008 
Additions 
Share of attributable losses 
Repayment of loans 
Impairment 
Exchange movement and other 
At 31 December 2008 
Additions 
Share of attributable losses 
Repayment of loans 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Impairment 
At 31 December 2009 

Joint  
ventures 
£m 
63 
17 
(18) 
(7) 
(7) 
2 
50 
3 
(5) 
– 
(47) 
(1) 
– 

Associated 
undertakings
£m 
16 
10 
– 
(10)
– 
– 
16 
3 
(2)
(4)
–
(8)
5 

Total
£m 
79 
27 
(18)
(17)
(7)
2 
66 
6 
(7)
(4)
(47)
(9)
5 

The £3 million of additions to joint ventures during the year relate to further loans granted of £3 million to Freesat. 

The £5 million share of losses of joint ventures includes £3 million from Screenvision US and £2 million from Freesat. Of the share of attributable 

losses of joint ventures, £3 million was allocated to assets held for sale in line with their statement of financial position classification.  

The £47 million transfer to assets held for sale relates to the carrying value of the joint venture investment in Screenvision US, now held for sale 
(see note 27). As an asset held for sale equity accounting ceases at the date of classification. This has resulted in unrecognised profits of £5 million. 
The joint venture investment in Freesat has also been impaired by £1 million during the year. The investment is now carried at its estimated value in 
use of £nil. Any unrecognised losses following its impairment to £nil, when equity accounting ceases, are immaterial. 

The £3 million of additions in associated undertakings include loans granted of £2 million to ITN and £1 million to Carbon Media Limited, a new 
associated undertaking in the year. The £2 million share of attributable losses in associated undertakings include £2 million from ITN. ITN made £4 
million of loan repayments during the year. The £8 million impairment of associated undertaking investments includes £7 million for ITN and £1 
million for Crackit Productions Limited. Both are carried at their estimated value in use amount. 

The aggregated summary financial information in respect of associates in which the Group has an interest is as follows: 

Assets 
Liabilities 
Revenue 
(Loss)/profit 

The aggregated summary financial information in respect of the Group’s share of interests in joint ventures is as follows:  

Non-current assets 
Current assets 
Current liabilities 
Non-current liabilities 
Revenue 
Expense 

2009
£m 
52 
(70)
106 
(5)

2009
£m 
31 
46 
(24)
(43)
71 
(73)

2008
£m 
66 
(63)
122 
– 

2008
£m 
37 
75 
(37)
(33)
84 
(102)

The Group’s interests in significant joint ventures and associated undertakings are listed in note ix in the ITV plc company financial statements 
section of this report. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 94 

15  Available for sale financial assets 

At 1 January  
Additions 
Impairment 
Disposals 
At 31 December  

2009
£m 
5 
– 
(2)
(2)
1 

2008
£m 
10 
2 
(7)
– 
5 

The Group’s interests in available for sale financial assets are listed in note ix in the ITV plc Company financial statements section of this report. The 
Group’s investment in STV Group plc is marked to market. However, following a significant and sustained decline in its share price an impairment of 
£1 million has been taken against this investment in the year. A further impairment of £1 million relates to the impairment of the Group’s 10% 
investment in Electric Farm Entertainment LLC to £nil. The £2 million disposal relates to the sale of the Group’s interests in Ambassador Theatre 
Group Limited to a consortium including Exponent Private Equity LLP for a £3 million cash consideration resulting in a £1 million gain on sale (see 
note 5). 

16  Distribution rights 

Cost 
At 1 January  
Additions 
At 31 December  
Charged to income statement 
At 1 January  
Expense for the year 
At 31 December  
Net book value 

The expense for the year is accounted for within operating costs in the income statement.  

17  Programme rights and other inventory  

Commissions 
Sports rights 
Acquired films 
Production 
Prepayments 
Other 

2009
£m 

2008
£m 

82 
17 
99 

69 
14 
83 
16 

2009
£m 
73 
23 
207 
48 
36 
1 
388 

68 
14 
82 

61 
8 
69 
13 

2008
£m 
125 
57 
237 
62 
29 
6 
516 

Net programme rights and other inventory written off in the year was £11 million (2008: £29 million), including £nil (2008: £2 million) for reversals 
relating to inventory previously written down to net realisable value. In addition to these amounts, there are exceptional costs for onerous contract 
provisions in respect of sports rights of £1 million (2008: £50 million), as disclosed in note 5. Of the total provision £4 million (2008: £5 million) has 
been written off against sports rights and £nil (2008: £1 million) has been written off against prepayments above. £35 million (2008: £44 million) 
remains in provisions, see note 26. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 95 

18  Trade and other receivables 

Due within one year: 
  Trade receivables 
  Other receivables 
  Prepayments and accrued income 

Due after more than one year: 
  Trade receivables 
  Prepayments and accrued income 

Total trade and other receivables 

2009
£m 

353 
22 
57 
432 

7 
– 
7 
439 

2008
£m 

336 
24 
84 
444 

9 
1 
10 
454 

As at 31 December 2009, trade receivables of £8 million (2008: £14 million) were impaired and provided for. The individually impaired receivables 
relate mainly to the Broadcasting & Online and ITV Studios segments due to concerns over their recoverability. Movements in the Group provision  
for impairment of trade receivables are as follows:  

At 1 January 
Charged during the year 
Receivables written off during the year as uncollectible 
Unused amounts reversed 
At 31 December 

2009
£m 
14 
4 
(6)
(4)
8 

2008
£m 
9 
9 
(1)
(3)
14 

Trade receivables that are less than three months past due are not usually considered impaired. As at 31 December 2009, trade receivables  
of £130 million (2008: £134 million) were past due but not impaired. Of this, £88 million (2008: £52 million) relates to non-consolidated licensee 
customers in the Broadcasting & Online segment where the Group has supplier and customer relationships. Further amounts relating to these same 
customers of £1 million (2008: £4 million) and £7 million (2008: £14 million) are included in current trade receivables and other receivables 
respectively. There is also a credit of £61 million (2008: credit of £42 million) included in trade and other payables relating to these customers. 

The net balance due from non-consolidated licensees is £36 million, the majority of which relates to STV Group plc. 

Current 
Up to 30 days overdue 
Between 30 and 90 days overdue 
Over 90 days overdue 

19  Current liabilities – trade and other payables due within one year  

Trade payables 
Social security 
Other payables 
Accruals and deferred income 
Dividends 

2009
£m 
230 
43 
8 
79 
360 

2009
£m 
83 
13 
162 
388 
– 
646 

2008
£m 
211 
48 
21 
65 
345 

2008
£m 
(restated) 
93 
13 
223 
394 
25 
748 

The 2008 comparatives for current liabilities have been restated to reflect the current year classification. This is to show a better reflection of the 
nature of the Group’s liabilities. The Group’s VAT creditor has been reclassified from trade payables to other payables and film creditors have been 
reclassified from trade payables to accruals where, at the reporting date, the programme is in rights but no invoice has been received. 

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 96 

20  Current liabilities – trade and other payables due after more than one year 

Other payables 

21  Non-current liabilities – other payables 

Other payables 

22  Analysis of net debt  

Cash 
Cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash held within the Disposal Group 
Held to maturity investments 
Loans and loan notes due within one year 
Finance leases due within one year 
Loans and loan notes due after one year 
Finance leases due after one year 

Currency component of swaps held against Euro denominated bonds 
Convertible Bond Equity Component 
Amortised cost adjustment 

Net debt 

Cash 
Cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Held to maturity investments 
Loans and loan notes due within one year 
Finance leases due within one year 
Loans and loan notes due after one year 
Finance leases due after one year 

Currency component of swaps held against Euro denominated bonds 
Amortised cost adjustment  

Net debt 

2009
£m 
31 

2009
£m 
12 

2008
£m 
26 

2008
£m 
15 

1 January 
2009 
£m 
503 
113 
616 
– 
– 
(252) 
(7) 
(1,192) 
(72) 
(1,523) 
147 
– 
30 

(730) 

1 January 
2008 
£m 
381 
117 
498 
100 
(27) 
(6) 
(1,184) 
(79) 
(1,296) 
30 
– 

(668) 

Net cash flow  
and acquisitions 
£m 
(20) 
(11) 
(31) 
– 
150 
249 
7 
(221) 
– 
35 
– 
(36) 
– 

Currency and 
non-cash 
movements
£m 
(4)
1 
(3)
4 
(1)
2 
(8)
47 
7 
48 
(39)
1 
(10)

31 December
2009
£m 
479 
103 
582 
4 
149 
(1)
(8)
(1,366)
(65)
(1,440)
108 
(35)
20 

118 

– 

(612)

Net cash flow  
and acquisitions 
£m 
122 
(5) 
117 
(100) 
25 
6 
(110) 
– 
(79) 
– 
– 

Currency and 
non-cash 
movements
£m 
– 
1 
1 
– 
(250)
(7)
102 
7 
(148)
117 
30 

31 December
2008
£m 
503 
113 
616 
– 
(252)
(7)
(1,192)
(72)
(1,523)
147 
30 

(62) 

– 

(730)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 97 

22  Analysis of net debt (continued) 
Included within cash equivalents is £62 million (2008: £67 million), the use of which is restricted to meeting finance lease commitments under 
programme sale and leaseback commitments and gilts of £34 million (2008: £33 million) over which the unfunded pension promises have a charge.  
The purpose of the amortised cost adjustment is to exclude the impact of the coupon step-up on total net debt. ITV’s Standard & Poor’s credit 

rating was lowered to BB+ in August 2008, resulting in a coupon step-up in the 2011 and 2017 bonds. The recalculation of the amortised cost 
carrying values as required by IAS 39 resulted in an increase in net debt of £30 million as at 31 December 2008. This increase will be unwound in 
future years as a reduction in interest expense. 

In February 2009 ITV raised a net £50 million through a £200 million covenant free loan with a maturity of March 2019, secured against the 
purchase of 4.5% March 2019 gilts with a nominal value of £138 million (for a cost of £150 million). The cash receipt relating to the £200 million loan 
and the cash payment relating to the £150 million gilts are both presented within cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statement 
of cash flows, as the gilts are held as security for the £200 million loan and thus form an integral part of the financing transaction. The cost of the 
£200 million loan is fixed at 8.85% for the first three years and a variable rate thereafter, depending in part on the performance of an interest rate 
algorithm. The total return on the gilts receivable by ITV is 11% of the nominal value. The gilts are accounted for as a held to maturity investment. 
In March 2009 ITV repaid its £250 million Eurobond and drew down a £125 million covenant free loan with a maturity of May 2013 at a variable 

rate of 12-month sterling LIBOR plus 6.814%. In May 2009 ITV completed a £100 million tap of the existing £325 million October 2015 Eurobond 
raising net proceeds of £58 million with an effective interest rate of 15.6%. 

In June 2009, under the terms of an exchange offer, ITV repaid €81 million (£69 million) of the €500 million October 2011 bond and exchanged 
at par €188 million of the 2011 bonds for the issuance at par of new bonds with a maturity of June 2014 and carrying a coupon of 10%; this resulted 
in an accounting gain of £14 million. A pro rata proportion of the cross-currency interest rate swaps entered into at the time of issue of the 2011 
bond were restructured and extended to match the terms of the new 2014 bonds. Under the terms of the swaps ITV receives 10% on a notional 
amount of €188 million and pays 12.9% on a notional amount of £63 million and three-month sterling LIBOR plus 7.9% on a notional amount of £63 
million. At maturity of the swaps ITV receives €188 million to match its principal repayment to bondholders and pays £126 million. 

In October 2009 ITV repurchased £75 million of the £125 million May 2013 loan at a loss of £6 million.  
In November 2009 ITV issued a £135 million convertible Eurobond with a maturity date of November 2016. The coupon on the bond is 4.0% and 
the initial conversion price is 70.44 pence, a premium on issue of 40%. The bonds are accounted for partly as debt and partly as equity, net of issue 
costs. The debt and equity components are accreted to par over the life of the bond; the accretion of the equity component is accounted for as a 
transfer from other reserves to retained losses. The effective interest rate on the carrying value of the debt component is 9.3%. 

In November and December 2009 ITV repurchased €114 million nominal value of the remaining October 2011 bonds, resulting in an accounting 
loss of £2 million. As at 31 December, 2009 €118 million of these bonds remained outstanding. Subsequent to the repurchase, ITV entered into new 
cross currency interest rate swaps to offset existing swaps. Under the terms of the cross currency interest rate swaps matching the €118 million 
2011 bonds, ITV receives 4.75% on a notional amount of €118 million and pays 26.7% on a notional amount of £5 million and three-month LIBOR 
minus 4.1% on a notional amount of £33 million. The net interest rate payable by ITV reflects the impact of exchange and interest rate differences 
between the original swaps and the new swaps. At maturity of the swaps ITV receives €118 million to match its principal repayment to bondholders 
and pays £38 million. 

As at 31 December 2009 the currency element of the cross currency interest rate swaps is a £108 million asset (2008: £147 million asset) and this 

offsets the exchange rate movement of the 2011 and 2014 bonds. The interest element of the swap is a £12 million asset (2008: £5 million asset) 
resulting in an overall net asset total at 31 December 2009 of £120 million (2008: £152 million net asset total). 

2008 
In July 2008 ITV issued a £110 million bond with a maturity of March 2013 and a coupon of three-month sterling LIBOR plus 2.7%. During 2008  
ITV redeemed loan notes totalling £25 million. 

In November 2008 ITV redeemed for cash a £100 million senior note issued by UBS AG (“UBS”) under UBS’s Euro Note Programme. 

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 98 

22  Analysis of net debt (continued) 
Ageing of borrowings 

Current 
In one year or less, or on demand 
Non-current 
In more than one year but not more than two years 
In more than two years but not more than five years 
In more than five years 

Total 

Loans and 
loan notes
£m 

Finance
leases
£m 

2009   

Total

£m   

Loans and 
loan notes 
£m 

Finance
leases
£m 

1 

106 
316 
944 
1,366 
1,367 

8 

9 
39 
17 
65 
73 

9  

252 

115  
355  
961  
1,431  
1,440  

– 
603 
589 
1,192 
1,444 

7 

8 
26 
38 
72 
79 

2008 

Total
£m 

259 

8 
629 
627 
1,264 
1,523 

Loans repayable between one and two years 
Loans repayable between one and two years as at 31 December 2009 comprise an unsecured €118 million Eurobond which has a coupon of 6.0% 
and matures in October 2011. After cross currency swaps the net amount repayable in October 2011 is £38 million.  

Loans repayable between two and five years 
Loans repayable between two and five years as at 31 December 2009 includes an unsecured £50 million bank loan which has a coupon of 12-month 
sterling LIBOR plus 6.814% and matures in May 2013, an unsecured £110 million Eurobond which has a coupon of three-months sterling LIBOR plus 
2.7% and matures in March 2013 and an unsecured €188 million Eurobond (£126 million net of cross currency swaps) which has a coupon of 10.0% 
and matures in June 2014.  

Loans repayable after five years 
Loans repayable after five years includes an unsecured £425 million Eurobond which has a coupon of 5.375% and matures in October 2015, an 
unsecured £135 million convertible Eurobond which has a coupon of 4.0% and matures in November 2016, an unsecured £250 million Eurobond 
which has a coupon of 7.375% and matures in January 2017 and an unsecured bank loan for £200 million which has a coupon of 8.85% for its first 
three years and a variable rate thereafter which matures in March 2019.  

Finance leases 
Finance lease liabilities are payable as follows: 

In one year or less 
In more than one year but not more than five years 
In more than five years 

Minimum lease 
payments
£m 
12 
58 
18 
88 

Interest
£m 
4 
10 
1 
15 

2009   

Principal

£m   
8  
48  
17  
73  

Minimum 
lease payments 
£m 
11 
45 
40 
96 

2008 

Principal
£m 
7 
34 
38 
79 

Interest
£m 
4 
11 
2 
17 

Finance leases principally comprise the lease of programme titles under sale and leaseback arrangements and an embedded lease relating to the 
provision of news. 

The net book value of assets held under finance leases at 31 December 2009 was £9 million (2008: £11 million). 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 99 

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23  Financial risk factors  

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, price risk and interest rate risk), credit risk and 
liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential 
adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge certain risk exposures. 

Treasury policies have been approved by the Board for managing each of these risks including levels of authority on the type and use of financial 

instruments. Transactions are only undertaken if they relate to underlying exposures. The treasury department reports regularly to the Audit 
Committee and treasury operations are subject to periodic reviews.  

Market risk 

a)  Currency risk 
The Group operates internationally and is therefore exposed to currency risk arising from various currency exposures, primarily with respect to  
the US dollar and the Euro. Foreign exchange risk arises from future commercial transactions, recognised assets and liabilities and net investments  
in foreign operations. 

The Group’s foreign exchange policy is to hedge material foreign currency denominated costs at the time of commitment and to hedge  

a proportion of foreign currency denominated revenues on a rolling 12-month basis unless a natural hedge exists. 

The Group ensures that its net exposure to foreign denominated cash balances is kept to an acceptable level by buying or selling foreign 

currencies at spot rates when necessary to address short-term imbalances. 

The Euro denominated interest and principal payments under the €118 million and €188 million bonds have been fully hedged by cross-currency 

interest rate swaps. 

The Group’s investments in subsidiaries are not hedged as those currency positions are considered to be long term in nature. 
At 31 December 2009, if sterling had weakened/strengthened by 10% against the US dollar with all other variables held constant, post-tax  
profit for the year would have been £2 million (2008: £2 million) higher/lower. Equity would have been £13 million (2008: £9 million) higher/lower. 
At 31 December 2009, if sterling had weakened/strengthened by 10% against the Euro with all other variables held constant, post-tax profit  

for the year would have been £3 million (2008: £2 million) higher/lower. Equity would have been £2 million (2008: £5 million) higher/lower. 

b)  Price risk 
The Group is not exposed to any material price risk. 

c)  Interest rate risk 
The Group’s principal interest rate risk arises from long-term borrowings and associated interest rate swaps. Borrowings issued at or swapped  
to floating rates expose the Group to interest rate risk. 

The Group’s interest rate policy is to have between 50% and 70% of its total indebtedness held at fixed rates over the medium term in order  
to provide a balance between certainty of cost and benefit from lower floating rates. The Group uses interest rate swaps and options in order to 
achieve the desired mix between fixed and floating rates. 

All of the Group’s interest rate swaps are classified as fair value through profit or loss so any movement in the fair value goes through the income 

statement rather than equity.  

At 31 December 2009, if interest rates had increased/decreased by 0.1%, post-tax profit for the year would have been £1 million (2008: £1 million) 

lower/higher.  

Credit risk 
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument fails to meet its contractual obligations.  
It arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers, cash and held to maturity investments. There is also credit risk relating to the  
Group’s own credit rating as this impacts the availability and cost of future finance. 

a)  Trade and other receivables (see note 18) 
The Group’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of each customer. The majority of trade receivables relate  
to airtime sales contracts with advertising agencies and advertisers. Credit insurance has been taken out against these companies to minimise the 
impact on the Group in the event of a possible default. 

b)  Cash and held to maturity investments 
The Group operates strict investment guidelines with respect to surplus cash and the emphasis is on preservation of capital. Counterparty limits  
for cash deposits are largely based upon long-term ratings published by the major credit rating agencies and perceived state support. Deposits longer 
than six months require the approval of the General Purpose Committee. 

c)  Borrowings 
ITV’s credit ratings with Standard & Poors and Moody’s Investor Service are B+/B1 respectively and are “sub-investment grade” with both agencies. 
The combination of ITV’s lower credit rating and the deterioration in credit conditions adversely impacts the availability and costs of future finance. 

Liquidity risk 
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to meet its financial obligations as they fall due. The Group’s financing policy is to fund itself  
for the long term by using debt instruments with a range of maturities. It is substantially funded from the UK and European capital markets and it 
has a bilateral bank facility.  

Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity reserve (comprising undrawn bank facilities and cash and cash equivalents)  
on the basis of expected cash flows. This monitoring includes financial ratios to assess possible future credit ratings and headroom and takes into 
account the accessibility of cash and cash equivalents.  

At 31 December 2009 the Group has available £75 million (2008: £650 million) of undrawn committed facilities. The £75 million facility is 

provided by one bank and is secured on advertising receivables. The facility has no financial covenants and matures in May 2013. The reduction from 
2008 reflects the cancellation of the £450 million syndicated facility and the drawing down of a £125 million loan.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 100 

23  Financial risk factors (continued) 
The table below analyses the Group’s financial liabilities and derivative financial liabilities into relevant maturity groupings based on the period 
remaining until the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the table are the contractual undiscounted cash flows so will not always 
reconcile with the amounts disclosed on the statement of financial position. 

At 31 December 2009 
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Borrowings  
Held to maturity investments  
Trade and other payables 
Other non-current payables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Interest rate swaps 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges 
  Outflows 
Inflows 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit or loss 
  Outflows 
Inflows 

At 31 December 2008 (restated) 
Non-derivative financial liabilities 
Borrowings  
Trade and other payables 
Other non-current payables 
Derivative financial instruments 
Interest rate swaps 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges 
  Outflows 
Inflows 

Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit or loss 
  Outflows 
Inflows 

Total contractual 
cash flows
£m 

Less than 
1 year 
£m 

Between  
1 and 2 years 
£m 

Between 
2 and 5 years
£m 

Over 
5 years
£m 

(2,167)
288 
(677)
(12)

165 

– 
– 

(77)
77 
(2,403)

(108) 
15 
(646) 
– 

13 

– 
– 

(61) 
61 
(726) 

(215) 
15 
(23) 
(10) 

79 

– 
– 

(16) 
16 
(154) 

(639)
45 
(8)
(2)

64 

– 
– 

– 
– 
(540)

Total contractual 
cash flows
£m 

Less than 
1 year 
£m 

Between  
1 and 2 years 
£m 

Between 
2 and 5 years
£m 

(1,933)
(774)
(15)

187 

(31)
40 

(347) 
(748) 
– 

9 

(31) 
40 

(80)
87 
(2,519)

(57) 
60 
(1,074) 

(82) 
(18) 
(1) 

8 

– 
– 

(17) 
20 
(90) 

(780)
(7)
(14)

155 

– 
– 

(6)
7 
(645)

(1,205)
213 
– 
– 

9 

– 
– 

– 
– 
(983)

Over 
5 years
£m 

(724)
(1)
– 

15 

– 
– 

– 
– 
(710)

2008 is restated as clarified by the amendment to IFRS 7 and now includes contractual interest. Borrowings are now shown gross rather than net of 
cross currency swaps relating to the 2011 €118 million and 2014 €188 million Eurobonds, which are now shown separately within derivative financial 
instruments.  

Held to maturity investments are included within the table above because the £138 million March 2019 gilts are used as security against the  

£200 million 2019 loan, and the net repayment in 2019 is £62 million. 

Capital management 
The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes borrowings disclosed in note 22, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable 
to equity holders of the parent company (“equity”). Equity comprises issued capital, reserves and retained earnings disclosed in the consolidated 
statement of changes in equity. The Group’s objective when managing capital is to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern in 
order to provide returns for shareholders and benefits for other stakeholders and to maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of 
capital. The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.  

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders, increase gross debt by 

issuing new debt or drawing down upon facilities or reduce net debt by issuing new shares or selling assets.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 101 

24  Financial instruments 
a) Fair values versus carrying amounts 

The tables below provide fair value information for all financial instruments listed in note 24 (c), other than those where the carrying value is a 
reasonable approximation of fair value. 

Assets  
Held to maturity investments 

Maturity 
Mar 19   

2009
£m 
149 

Book value   

2008 
£m   
–  

2009
£m 
143 

Fair value 

2008
£m 
– 

The fair value of held to maturity investments is based on quoted market bid prices at the reporting date.  

Liabilities  
€118 million Eurobond (previously €500 million Eurobond) 
£110 million Eurobond 
£50 million loan 
€188 million Eurobond 
£425 million Eurobond (previously £325 million Eurobond) 
£135 million Convertible bond 
£250 million Eurobond 
£200 million loan 
Other loans 

Maturity 
Oct 11   
Mar 13   
May 13   
Jun 14   
Oct 15   
Nov 16   
Jan 17   
Mar 19   

Book value   

Fair value 

2009
£m 
106 
110 
50 
156 
384 
96 
264 
200 
1 
1,367 

2008 
£m   
493  
110  
–  
–  
323  
–  
266  
–  
2  
1,194  

2009
£m 
109 
105 
58 
187 
387 
147 
240 
244 
1 
1,478 

2008
£m 
391 
110 
– 
– 
211 
– 
163 
– 
2 
877 

Fair value, which is determined for disclosure purposes, is calculated based on the present value of future principal and interest cash flows, 
discounted at the market rate of interest at the reporting date. 

The book value of the 2011 Eurobond decreased in the year principally as a result of an exchange offer and repurchases of the 2011 bonds in 
November and December 2009 (see note 22). After taking account of cross currency interest rate swaps, ITV’s net principal repayment on the 2011 
Eurobond will be £38 million in 2011.  

The book value of the 2015 £425 million Eurobond increased due to the £100 million tap of the existing £325 million Eurobond on the same 

terms, raising net proceeds of £58 million. 

The fair value of the £135 million Convertible bond is based upon the par value, whereas the bonds are accounted for partly as debt and partly  

as equity, net of issue costs, as described in note 22.  

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 102 

24  Financial instruments (continued) 
b)  Fair value hierarchy for instruments measured at fair value 

Assets measured at fair value 
Available for sale financial instruments 
  STV shares 
  Available for sale gilts 
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 

Interest rate swaps 
Forward foreign exchange contracts 

Total 

Liabilities measured at fair value 
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss 

Interest rate swaps 
Forward foreign exchange contracts 

Total 

Fair value
31 December 2009
£m 

Level 1 
31 December 2009 
£m 

Level 2
31 December 2009
£m 

Level 3
31 December 2009
£m 

1 
34 

154 
2 
191 

1 
34 

– 
– 
35 

– 
– 

154 
2 
156 

– 
– 

– 
– 
– 

Fair value
31 December 2009
£m 

Level 1 
31 December 2009 
£m 

Level 2
31 December 2009
£m 

Level 3
31 December 2009
£m 

33 
1 
34 

– 
– 
– 

33 
1 
34 

– 
– 
– 

Level 1 
Fair values measured using quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. 

Level 2 
Fair values measured using inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability either directly 
or indirectly. 

Interest rate swaps and options are accounted for at their fair value based upon termination prices. Forward foreign exchange contracts  

are accounted for at the difference between the contract exchange rate and the quoted forward exchange rate at the reporting date. 

Level 3 
Fair values measured using inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 103 

24  Financial instruments (continued) 
c)  Financial instruments application 
The accounting policies for financial instruments have been applied to each financial position caption as follows: 

At 31 December 2009 
Statement of financial position assets 
Available for sale financial assets 
Held to maturity investments 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents* 

At 31 December 2009 
Statement of financial position liabilities 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 

At 31 December 2008 
Statement of financial position assets 
Available for sale financial assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Trade and other receivables 
Cash and cash equivalents 

At 31 December 2008 
Statement of financial position liabilities 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 

*Excludes cash in the disposal group of £4 million. 

Held to 
maturity 
investments
£m 

Loan and 
receivables
£m 

At fair value 
through profit  
or loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for  
hedging 
£m 

Available 
for sale
£m 

– 
149 
– 
– 
– 
149 

– 
– 
– 
439 
548 
987 

– 
– 
156 
– 
– 
156 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

At fair value 
through profit  
or loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for  
hedging 
£m 

– 
34 
34 

– 
– 
– 

Loan and 
receivables
£m 

At fair value 
through profit  
or loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for  
hedging 
£m 

– 
– 
454 
583 
1,037 

– 
208 
– 
– 
208 

– 
10 
– 
– 
10 

At fair value 
through profit 
or loss 
£m 

Derivatives  
used for  
hedging 
£m 

250 
31 
281 

– 
1 
1 

1 
– 
– 
– 
34 
35 

Other 
financial 
liabilities 
£m 

1,440 
– 
1,440 

Available 
for sale
£m 

5 
– 
– 
33 
38 

Other 
financial 
liabilities
£m 

1,273 
– 
1,273 

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Total
£m 

1 
149 
156 
439 
582 
1,327 

Total
£m 

1,440 
34 
1,474 

Total
£m 

5 
218 
454 
616 
1,293 

Total
£m 

1,523 
32 
1,555 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 104 

25  Derivative financial instruments  
The following table shows the fair value of derivative financial instruments analysed by type of contract. 

Current portion: 

Interest rate swaps – fair value through profit or loss 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit or loss 

Non-current portion: 

Interest rate swaps – fair value through profit or loss 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – cash flow hedges 
Forward foreign exchange contracts – fair value through profit or loss 

Assets  
£m 

2009   

Liabilities 
£m   

3 
– 
2 
5 

151 
– 
– 
151 
156 

(3)  
–  
(1)  
(4)  

(30)  
–  
–  
(30)  
(34)  

Assets
£m  

2 
10 
7 
19 

194 
– 
5 
199 
218 

2008 

Liabilities
£m 

(2)
(1)
(4)
(7)

(25)
– 
– 
(25)
(32)

Interest rate swap assets as at 31 December 2009 include £120 million of cross currency interest rate swaps relating to the €118 million 2011 
Eurobond and the €188 million 2014 Eurobond (see note 22).  

The remaining £34 million of assets relates to a number of floating rate swaps. ITV has a £125 million swap matched against half of the 2017 
£250 million bond. Under this swap ITV receives 6.125% (to match the original bond coupon) and pays three-month sterling LIBOR plus 0.51% with 
the three-month sterling LIBOR capped at 5.25% for rates between 5.25% and 8.0%. ITV also has a £162.5 million swap matched against part of the 
2015 £425 million bond. Under this swap ITV receives 5.375% (to match the bond coupon) and pays six-month sterling LIBOR plus 0.3%. In addition, 
ITV has other swaps totalling £162.5 million matched against part of the 2015 £425 million bond. Under these swaps ITV receives 5.375% (to match 
the bond coupon) and pays a weighted average of three-month sterling LIBOR plus 1.45%. 

Interest rate swap liabilities of £33 million as at 31 December 2009 relate to various fixed rate swaps. ITV has a £162.5 million swap with a 

maturity of October 2015 under which it receives three-month sterling LIBOR and pays 4.35%. The bank has the right to cancel the swap. ITV also has 
a £162.5 million swap with a maturity of October 2015 under which it receives six-month sterling LIBOR plus 0.3%, and pays the higher of six-month 
sterling LIBOR minus 0.2% or six-month US$ LIBOR minus 1.0%, set in arrears or in advance. In addition, ITV has a £125 million swap with a maturity 
of January 2017 under which it receives three-month sterling LIBOR and pays 4.31%. The bank has the right to cancel the swap. 

All forward foreign exchange contracts hedge underlying currency exposures. The forward foreign exchange contracts which were designated  
as cash flow hedges related to contractual payments for sport and other programme rights and transponder costs. All cash flow hedges outstanding 
at 31 December 2008 matured during 2009.  

26  Provisions 

At 1 January 2009 
Additions in the year 
Unwind of discount 
Utilised in the year 
At 31 December 2009 

Contract 
provisions
£m 
47 
1 
3 
(16)
35 

Restructuring 
provisions 
£m 
16 
7 
– 
(15)
8 

Property 
provisions 
£m 
2 
16 
– 
(1) 
17 

Other 
provisions
£m 
19 
– 
– 
(3)
16 

Total
£m 
84 
24 
3 
(35)
76 

Of the provisions £47 million (2008: £43 million) are shown within current liabilities. 

Contract provisions of £35 million are for onerous sports rights commitments; there were additions of £4 million in 2009, including £3 million 
from the unwind of the discount on the provision, and £13 million was utilised. The remaining £3 million of the CSA contract provision was utilised in 
the year.  

Restructuring provisions of £8 million are in respect of previously announced efficiency programmes. The £15 million utilised in 2009 was in 

respect of regional news. 

Property provisions of £17 million mainly relate to onerous lease contracts due to empty space created by the significant reduction in headcount 
in 2009. Utilisation will be over the anticipated life of the leases or earlier if exited. Of the additions of £16 million, £14 million has been classified as an 
operating exceptional cost in relation to a provision in respect of Gray’s Inn Road. 

Other provisions of £16 million mainly relate to potential liabilities that may arise as a result of Boxclever having been placed into administration, 

most of which relate to pension arrangements.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 105 

27  Assets held for sale 

Property, plant and equipment 
Investment in joint ventures  
Disposal group assets (note 28) 
Assets held for sale 

Disposal group liabilities (note 28) 
Liabilities held for sale 

The liabilities held for sale are new in the year and are disclosed below. 

The movements in assets held for sale are summarised in the table below: 

At 1 January 2009 
Transfer from property, plant and equipment 
Impairment of properties held for sale 
Transfer from investments in joint ventures and associated undertakings 
Net repayment of loans from investments in joint ventures and associated undertakings 
Assets classed as disposal group (note 28) 
Impairment of disposal group (note 28) 
At 31 December 2009 

2009 
£m 
7 
43 
28 
78 

2009 
£m 
(3)
(3)

2009
£m 
3 
9 
(5)
47 
(4)
60 
(32)
78 

During the year the Group began actively marketing properties in Birmingham and Bristol, which are deemed to be surplus to future operating 
requirements and for which disposal is anticipated to be completed within one year. These properties were transferred from property, plant and 
equipment at a net book value of £9 million. The property in Bedford, classified as an asset held for sale in prior periods, continues to be classified  
as held for sale at the end of the year. Impairments of £5 million have been recognised in respect of these properties reflecting the currently 
challenging property market conditions.  

The Group is actively marketing its 50% interest in Screenvision US (Technicolor Cinema Advertising LLC) and has classified this joint venture 
investment as an asset held for sale carried at £47 million. The investment being sold is not core to the Group’s main activities and is disclosed in the 
Other segment (note 2). During the year the Group received net repayments of loans of £4 million from this entity. This sale is expected to complete 
within one year. 

The Group continues to also actively market its interest in Screenvision (Holdings) Europe Limited, an asset held for sale carried at £nil.  

The investment being sold is not core to the Group’s main activities and is disclosed in the Other segment. 

28  Disposal group 
The disposal group consists of the non-core business, Friends Reunited. In August 2009, the Group announced that it had agreed to sell Friends 
Reunited to Brightsolid Limited for a total cash consideration of £25 million with a variable component dependent on the net current assets of the 
business on the date of completion. On 2 November, the Office of Fair Trading referred the acquisition to the Competition Commission for further 
investigation. The Competition Commission is currently reviewing the proposed transaction with a final decision expected by 16 April 2010. The 
Friends Reunited social networking business, within the Broadcasting & Online segment, is consequently presented as held for sale. 

At 31 December 2009 the disposal group comprised assets of £28 million less liabilities of £3 million. 
An impairment loss of £32 million on the remeasurement of the disposal group to the lower of its carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell 

has been recognised in non-operating exceptionals (see note 5). 

Intangible assets  
Trade and other receivables due within one year 
Cash and cash equivalents 
Disposal group assets 

Trade and other payables due within one year 
Disposal group liabilities 

31 December 
2009 
£m 

23 
1 
4 
28 

31 December 
2009 
£m 
(3)
(3)

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ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 106 

29  Acquisitions and disposals of businesses 
Acquisitions and disposals in 2009 

GMTV 
On 26 November 2009, the Group acquired the remaining 25% interest in the shares of GMTV Limited, the national breakfast time channel 3 
licensee, taking its total percentage of shareholding to 100%. The results of this entity have always been disclosed within the consolidated income 
statement of the Group at 100% with an adjustment made to reflect the previous non-controlling interest’s share. The impact of the acquisition of 
the remaining non-controlling interest is reflected in the consolidated statement of changes in equity. 

The fair value of the consideration paid is £23 million. The non-controlling interest reserve of £8 million was debited on acquisition with the excess 

of consideration over the identifiable net assets acquired of £15 million debited to retained losses in accordance with IAS 27.  

Friends Reunited 
In January 2009 the Group paid £50 million in respect of the final payment of the earn-out arrangement relating to the Friends Reunited acquisition 
undertaken in 2005 previously disclosed within other payables in note 19 of this report. 

Disposals 
The Group disposed of its 100% interest in Enable Media Limited on the 22 September 2009 for £nil cash consideration resulting in a loss on disposal 
of £6 million. The Group’s 63% interest in JFMG Limited was sold on 18 February 2009 for £1 million cash consideration resulting in a gain on disposal 
of £1 million.  

30  Called up share capital 
The Group’s share capital is the same as that of ITV plc. Details of this are given in note v in the ITV plc Company financial statements section  
of this annual report. 

Employees’ Benefit Trust 
The Group has investments in its own shares as a result of shares purchased by the ITV Employees’ Benefit Trust. As at 31 December 2009 the trust 
held the following shares: 

ITV Employees’ Benefit Trust 

2009   

Number  
of shares 
3,528,761 

Market value 
Number 
£m   
of shares 
2   4,144,550 

2008 

Market value
£m 
2 

The nominal value of own shares held is £0.35 million (2008: £0.41 million). The shares will be held in trust until such time as they may be transferred  
to participants of the various Group share schemes. Rights to dividends have been waived by the ITV Employees’ Benefit Trust in respect of shares  
held which do not relate to restricted shares under the Deferred Share Award Plan. 

The total number of shares held by the trust at 31 December 2009 is 3,528,761 (2008: 4,144,550) ordinary shares representing 0.09%  

(2008: 0.11%) of ITV’s issued share capital. 

In accordance with the Trust Deed, the Trustees of the ITV Employees’ Benefit Trust have the power to exercise all voting rights in relation to any 
investment (including shares) held within that trust. During the year the following ordinary shares were purchased/(released) from the above trust to 
satisfy awards vesting under the Group’s share schemes as follows: 

Shares released from: 
ITV Employees’ Benefit Trust 

Number of shares 
(released)/purchased 
(8,175,476)
(64,945)
(531,785)
(634,112)
8,790,529 

Nominal value
£ 
(817,548)
(6,495)
(53,179)
(63,411)
879,053 

Scheme 
ITV Deferred Share Award Plan 
Carlton Deferred Award Bonus Plan 
Granada Commitment Scheme 
ITV Employee Bonus Plan 
Shares purchased 

Shares released under the ITV Employee Bonus Plan include 264,784 shares awarded to all employees in March 2009 and an additional 369,328 
shares awarded to all eligible employees in December 2009 as described on page 27. 

31  Contingent liabilities 
There has been a disagreement between the Group, STV Group plc and the two licence holding subsidiaries, STV Central and STV North, as to  
the amounts of money due and payable to the Group. A legal claim, based upon the balances outstanding at 30 April 2009, for approximately  
£38 million in respect of outstanding invoices, was filed on 22 September 2009 and Particulars of Claim were served on 24 September 2009.  

The Group recognises that certain amounts are due to STV and these and other amounts are the subject of a counterclaim served by STV on 13 

November 2009. Prior to the litigation, the Group and STV have come to an arrangement whereby amounts owed to each other will be set off, 
although until the current litigation is resolved, that amount cannot be accurately identified. For the period after 30 April 2009, the Group and STV 
have agreed to operate a monthly payment on account scheme so that the operations may continue effectively. 

In a separate action STV Central and STV North issued proceedings on 16 November 2009 against ITV Network and other Group companies in 
relation to the exploitation of new media rights in the UK. Through the proceedings STV Central and STV North seek an injunction to prevent the ITV 
Network from entering into any UK wide deals involving new media rights and seek declarations in relation to how the rights are owned and may be 
exploited. The Group rejects this claim and intends to defend it robustly. No provision has been made in these financial statements for this claim. 
On 24 February 2010, STV issued a letter alleging that the Group has acted with unfair prejudice against the interests of STV and that ITV 
Network is in breach of its fiduciary duties to STV. ITV Network rejects these allegations and will vigorously defend any claim that is brought. 

There are other contingent liabilities in respect of certain litigation and guarantees, and in respect of warranties given in connection with certain  

disposals of businesses.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the accounts  

 107 

32  Operating leases 
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are payable as follows:  

Not later than one year 
Later than one year and not later than five years 
Later than five years 

2009
£m 
13 
39 
145 
197 

2008
£m 
16 
45 
152 
213 

The Group leases a number of properties principally comprising offices and studios under operating leases. Leases typically run for a period of 
between five and ten years and may or may not have an option to renew after that date. Lease payments are typically increased every five years 
to reflect market rentals. None of the leases include contingent rentals. 

The total future minimum sublease payments expected to be received under non-cancellable subleases at the reporting date is £5 million  

(2008: £8 million). 

The total operating lease expenditure recognised during the year was £14 million (2008: £19 million) and total sublease payments received 

totalled £4 million (2008: £4 million). 

33  Capital and other commitments  
There are £1 million of capital commitments at 31 December 2009 (31 December 2008: £1 million). There are also a number of operating 
commitments in respect of programming entered into in the ordinary course of business.  

34  Subsequent events  
In January and February 2010 the Group repurchased £42 million of the 2015 £425 million Eurobonds. In February 2010 the Group repurchased 
€27 million (£23 million) nominal of the 2011 €118 million Eurobonds, leaving the net repayable in 2011 after cross currency swaps as £15 million.  

35  Related party transactions  
Transactions with associated undertakings and joint ventures: 

Sales to associated undertakings 
Purchases from joint ventures 
Purchases from associated undertakings 

The purchases from associated undertakings relate to purchase of news services from ITN. 

Amounts owed by joint ventures 
Amounts owed by associated undertakings 
Amounts owed by pension scheme 

2009
£m 
1 
2 
43 

2009
£m 
25 
4 
1 

2008
£m 
2 
1 
42 

2008
£m 
27 
7 
1 

Amounts owed by joint ventures relate to loan balances with Screenvision (Holdings) Europe Limited which have been fully provided for at the 
reporting date. 

All transactions with associated undertakings and joint ventures arise in the normal course of business on an arm’s-length basis. None of the 

balances are secured. 

Amounts paid to the Group’s retirement benefit plans are set out in note 6. 

Transactions with key management personnel 
Key management consists of ITV plc executive, non-executive directors and ITV’s senior executive team. Key management personnel compensation 
is as follows:  

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Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Termination benefits 
Share-based compensation 

2009
£m 
10 
1 
2 
5 
18 

2008
£m 
6 
– 
2 
5 
13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
108 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
ITV plc Company Financial Statements 

Company balance sheet 

At 31 December: 
Fixed assets: 
Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
Held to maturity investments 
Derivative financial instruments 

Current assets: 
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings 
Prepayments and accrued income 
Cash at bank and in hand and short-term deposits 

Creditors – amounts falling due within one year: 
Borrowings 
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings 
Accruals and deferred income 
Other creditors 
Dividends 

Net current assets/(liabilities) 
Total assets less current liabilities 
Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year: 
Borrowings 
Derivative financial instruments 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves: 
Called up share capital 
Share premium 
Other reserves 
Profit and loss account 
Shareholders’ funds – equity 

Note 

iii 

iv 

iv 

v 
vi 
vi 
vi 

2009 
£m 

2009 
£m 

2008
£m 

2008
£m 

1,671 
149 
151 
1,971 

1,699 
– 
194 
1,893 

173 
– 
146 
319 

– 
(173) 
(21) 
– 
– 
(194) 

78 
1 
283 
362 

(252)
(88)
(33)
(53)
(25)
(451)

125 
2,096 

(1,366) 
(29) 
(1,395) 

701 

389 
120 
71 
121 
701 

(89)
1,804 

(1,192)
(25)
(1,217)

587 

389 
120 
36 
42 
587 

The accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 3 March 2010 and were signed on its behalf by: 

Ian Griffiths 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
109 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Notes to the ITV plc Company Financial Statements 

i   Accounting policies 
Basis of preparation 
As permitted by section 408 (3) of the Companies Act 2006, a separate profit and loss account, dealing with the results of the parent company,  
has not been presented. 

Under FRS 29 the Company is exempt from the requirement to provide its own financial instruments disclosures, on the grounds that it is 
included in publicly available consolidated financial statements which include disclosures that comply with the IFRS equivalent to that standard.  

Subsidiaries 
Subsidiaries are entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by the Company. Control exists where the Company has the power to govern the 
financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. The investment in the Company’s subsidiaries is recorded  
at cost, adjusted for the effect of the adoption of UITF 41. Annual FRS 20 share based payment compensation costs are recharged to the 
subsidiary’s through the profit and loss account. 

Foreign currency transactions 
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. Foreign currency 
monetary assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are translated into sterling at the rate of exchange ruling at that date. Foreign exchange 
differences arising on translation are recognised in the profit and loss account. Non-monetary assets and liabilities measured at historical cost are 
translated into sterling at the rate of exchange on the date of the transaction. 

Borrowings 
Borrowings are recognised initially at fair value including directly attributable transaction costs, with subsequent measurement at amortised cost 
using the effective interest rate method. The difference between initial fair value and the redemption value is recorded in the profit and loss account 
over the period of the liability on an effective interest basis.  

Derivatives and other financial instruments  
The Company uses a limited number of derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in interest and other foreign exchange 
rates. The Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative purposes. 

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value and are subsequently remeasured at fair value with the movement recorded 

in the profit and loss account within net financing costs. Derivatives with a positive fair value are recorded as assets and negative fair values as 
liabilities. 

The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is determined by using the difference between the contract exchange rate and the quoted 
forward exchange rate at the balance sheet date. The fair value of interest rate swaps is the estimated amount that the Company would receive or 
pay to terminate the swap at the balance sheet date, taking into account current interest rates and the current creditworthiness of swap 
counterparties. 

Third party valuations are used to fair value the Company’s derivatives. The valuation techniques use inputs such as interest rate yield curves and 

currency prices/yields, volatilities of underlying instruments and correlations between inputs.  

Where a derivative financial instrument is designated as a hedge of the variability in cash flows of a recognised asset or liability, or a highly 
probable forecast transaction, the effective part of any gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognised directly in equity. Any 
ineffective portion of the hedge is recognised immediately in the profit and loss account. 

For financial assets and liabilities classified at fair value through profit or loss the fair value change and interest income/expense are not 

separated. 

Dividends 
Dividends are recognised through equity on the earlier of their approval by the Company’s shareholders or their payment. 

ii  Employees 
Four (2008: four) directors of ITV plc were the only employees of the Company during the year. The costs relating to these directors are disclosed  
in the Remuneration report. 

iii  Investments in subsidiary undertakings 
The principal subsidiary undertakings are listed in note ix. The movements during 2009 were as follows: 

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At 1 January 2009 
Impairment 
At 31 December 2009 

£m 
1,699 
(28)
1,671 

An impairment charge of £28 million was recognised in respect of Friends Reunited now carried at its fair value less costs to sell of £25 million. 

iv  Borrowings  
Loan repayable after more than one year 
Loans repayable after more than one year as at 31 December 2009 comprise an unsecured €118 million Eurobond which has a coupon of 6.0% and 
matures in October 2011, an unsecured loan from a bank for £50 million which has a coupon of 12-month sterling LIBOR plus 6.814% and matures in 
May 2013, an unsecured £110 million Eurobond which has a coupon of three-months sterling LIBOR plus 2.7% and matures in March 2013, an 
unsecured €188 million Eurobond which has a coupon of 10.0% and matures in June 2014, an unsecured £425 million Eurobond which has a coupon 
of 5.375% and matures in October 2015, an unsecured £135 million convertible Eurobond which has a coupon of 4.0% and matures in November 
2016, an unsecured £250 million Eurobond which has a coupon of 7.375% and matures in January 2017 and an unsecured loan from a bank for 
£200 million which has a coupon of 8.85% for its first three years and a variable rate thereafter which matures in March 2019. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the ITV plc Company Financial Statements   

110 

v  Called up share capital 

Ordinary shares of 10 pence each 
Authorised: 
8,000,000,000 (2008: 5,826,377,627) 
Allotted, issued and fully paid: 
3,889,129,751 (2008: 3,889,129,751) 
Total 

2009
£m 

Authorised   

2008 
£m   

Allotted, issued 
and fully paid 

2009
£m 

2008
£m 

800 

583  

800 

583  

389 
389 

389 
389 

The Company’s ordinary shares give shareholder’s equal rights to vote, receive dividends and to the repayment of capital. There have been no issued 
ordinary share capital movements during the period. 

vi   Reconciliation of movements in shareholders’ funds  

At 1 January 2009 
Retained profit for year for equity shareholders 
Share-based compensation 
Equity portion of the convertible bond 

At 31 December 2009 

Share
capital
£m 
389 
– 
– 
– 

389 

Share  
premium 
£m 
120 
– 
– 
– 

120 

Other 
reserves 
£m 
36 
– 
– 
35 

71 

Profit and
loss account
£m 
42 
67 
11 
1 

121 

Total
£m 
587 
67 
11 
36 

701 

The profit after tax for the year dealt with in the accounts of ITV plc is £67 million (year ended 31 December 2008: loss of £218 million) before 
dividends declared of £nil (2008: £96 million). 

vii   Contingent liabilities 
Under a group registration, the Company is jointly and severally liable for VAT at 31 December 2009 of £25 million (31 December 2008: £13 million). 
The Company has guaranteed certain finance and operating lease obligations of subsidiary undertakings. 

There are contingent liabilities in respect of certain litigation and guarantees and in respect of warranties given in connection with certain 

disposals of businesses and in respect of certain trading and other obligations of certain subsidiaries.  

Where the Company enters into financial guarantee contracts to guarantee the indebtedness of other companies within its Group, the 

Company considers these to be insurance arrangements, and accounts for them as such. In this respect, the Company treats the guarantee contract 
as a contingent liability until such time as it becomes probable that the Company will be required to make a payment under the guarantee. 

viii  Capital and other commitments 
There are no capital commitments at 31 December 2009 (31 December 2008: none).  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the ITV plc Company Financial Statements   

111 

ix  Principal subsidiary undertakings and investments 
Principal subsidiary undertakings  
The principal subsidiary undertakings of the Company at 31 December 2009, all of which are wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) and incorporated 
and registered in England and Wales except where stated, are: 

Name 
12 Yard Productions(1) 
3sixtymedia Limited(2) 
Carlton Communications Limited 
Friends Reunited Limited 
GMTV Limited 
Granada Limited 
Granada Ventures Limited 
ITV Broadcasting Limited 
ITV Consumer Limited 
ITV Digital Channels Limited 
ITV Global Entertainment Limited 
ITV Network Limited(3) 
ITV Services Limited 
ITV Studios Limited 
ITV2 Limited 
SDN Limited 
Granada Media Australia Pty Limited(4) 
Granada Produktion für Film und Fernsehen GmbH(5) 
Imago TV Film und Fernsehproduktion GmbH(5, 6) 
Silverback AB(7) 
ITV Global Entertainment, Inc(8) 
ITV Studios, Inc. (formerly Granada Entertainment USA)(8) 
Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment LLC(9) 

Principal activity 
Production of television programmes 
Supplier of facilities for television productions 
Holding company 
Operation of community based websites 
Production and broadcast of breakfast time television under national Channel 3 licence 
Holding company 
Production and distribution of video and DVD products 
Broadcast of television programmes 
Development of platforms, broadband, transactional and mobile services 
Operation of digital television channels 
Rights ownership and distribution of television programmes and films 
Scheduling and commissioning television programmes 
Provision of services for other companies within the Group 
Production of television programmes 
Operation of digital television channels 
Operation of Freeview Multiplex A 
Production of television programmes 
Production of television programmes 
Production of television programmes 
Production and distribution of television programmes 
Distribution of television programmes 
Production of television programmes 
Production of television programmes 

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(1)   A partnership. 
(2)   80% owned. 
(3)  Interest in company limited by guarantee. 
(4)   Incorporated and registered in Australia. 
(5)   Incorporated and registered in Germany. 
(6)   67.72% owned. 
(7)   Incorporated and registered in Sweden. 
(8)   Incorporated and registered in the USA. 
(9)   51% owned. 

A list of all subsidiary undertakings will be included in the Company’s annual return to Companies House. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Notes to the ITV plc Company Financial Statements   

112 

ix  Principal subsidiary undertakings and investments (continued) 
Principal joint ventures, associated undertakings and investments  
The Company indirectly held at 31 December 2009 the following holdings in significant joint ventures, associated undertakings and investments: 

Name 
Carbon Media Limited 
Crackit Productions Limited 
Freesat (UK) Limited 

Independent Television News Limited 
ISAN UK Limited 

Mammoth Screen Limited 
Screenvision Holdings (Europe) Limited(1) 
STV Group plc (2) 
Technicolor Cinema Advertising LLC (1, 3) 
Electric Farm Entertainment LLC (3) 

(1)   Classified as an Asset Held for Sale. 
(2)   Incorporated and registered in Scotland. 
(3)   Incorporated and registered in USA. 

Interest in ordinary 
share capital
2009
% 
25.00 
25.00 
50.00 

Note 
a 
a 
b 

a 
a 

a 
b 
c 
b 
c 

40.00 
25.00 

25.00 
50.00 
7.36 
50.00 
10.00 

Interest in ordinary 
share capital
2008
% 
– 
25.00 
50.00 

Principal activity 
Production of television programmes 
Production of television programmes 
Provision of a standard and high definition enabled digital 
satellite proposition 
40.00  Supply of news services to broadcasters in the UK and elsewhere 
–  Operates voluntary numbering system for the identification of 
audiovisual works 
Production of television programmes 
European cinema advertising 
Television broadcasting in central and north Scotland 
US cinema advertising 
Digital studio company 

25.00 
50.00 
7.36 
50.00 
10.00 

a  Associated undertaking. 
b 
c  Available for sale financial asset.  

Joint venture. 

x   Post balance sheet events 
In January and February 2010 the Company repurchased £42 million of the 2015 £425 million Eurobonds. In February 2010 the Company 
repurchased €27million (£23 million) nominal of the 2011 €118 million Eurobonds, leaving the net repayable in 2011 after cross currency swaps as 
£15 million.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
113 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Shareholder information 

Type of holder: 
Banks and nominee companies 
Individuals 
Others 
Totals 

Size of holding: 
1 – 100 
101 – 200 
201 – 500 
501 – 1,000 
1,001 – 2,000 
2,001 – 5,000 
5,001 – 10,000 
10,001 – 50,000 
50,001 – 100,000 
100,001 – 500,000 
500,001 – 1,000,000 
1,000,001 – 5,000,000 
5,000,001 – 10,000,000 
10,000,001 – 50,000,000 
50,000,001 and above 
Totals 

Information as at 31 December 2009. 

Holders 
Number 

Shares held
Millions 

% 

% 

2,514 
69,104 
462 

9,904 
9,488 
18,524 
13,153 
10,374 
6,410 
2,162 
1,379 
149 
231 
86 
132 
35 
36 
17 

3,661.29 
153.84 
74.00 

0.36 
1.42 
6.22 
9.58 
14.71 
20.06 
15.55 
27.18 
10.78 
56.25 
61.17 
309.71 
250.53 
699.99 
2,405.62 

3.49 
95.87 
0.64 
100.00 

13.74 
13.16 
25.70 
18.25 
14.39 
8.89 
3.00 
1.91 
0.21 
0.32 
0.12 
0.18 
0.05 
0.05 
0.03 
100.00 

94.14 
3.96 
1.90 
100.00 

0.01 
0.04 
0.16 
0.25 
0.38 
0.51 
0.40 
0.70 
0.28 
1.45 
1.57 
7.96 
6.44 
18.00 
61.85 
100.00 

Registrars and transfer office 
All administrative enquiries relating to shareholdings and requests to 
receive corporate documents should, in the first instance, be directed  
to Capita Registrars, Northern House, Woodsome Park, Fenay Bridge, 
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD8 0LA.  

0871 664 0300 (calls cost 10 pence per minute plus network 
charges) from the UK and +44 20 8639 3399 from outside the UK 

Alternatively you could email them at: 
shareholder.services@capitaregistrars.com 

Shareholders who receive duplicate sets of company mailings because 
they have multiple accounts should write to Capita to have the accounts 
amalgamated. 

By logging on to www.capitashareportal.com shareholders can benefit 
from a number of online services as follows: 

–  Cast your proxy vote online;  

–  Elect to receive shareholder communication electronically; 

–  View your holding balance, indicative share price and valuation;  

–  View transactions on your holding and dividend payments you have 

received; 

–  Update your address or register a bank mandate instruction to have 

dividends paid directly to your bank account;  

–  Access a wide range of shareholder information including 

downloadable forms. 

www.capitashareportal.com 

You will need your investor code (IVC) which can be found on your share 
certificate(s) to register to use the Shareholder Portal. 

Share dealing services 
The Company’s shares can be traded through most banks, building 
societies and stockbrokers. Additionally, the Company’s registrars offer 
online and telephone dealing for UK resident shareholders through 
Capita IRG Trustees Limited. To use this service shareholders should 
contact Capita: 

0871 664 0364 from the UK (calls cost 10 pence per minute plus 
network charges) or 1 890 946 375 from Ireland 

www.capitadeal.com 

ShareGift 
ShareGift is a charity share donation scheme for shareholders who may 
wish to dispose of a small quantity of shares where the market value 
makes it uneconomic to sell on a commission basis. The scheme is 
administered by the Orr Mackintosh Foundation and further 
information can be obtained by contacting them:  

020 7930 3737 

www.sharegift.org 

Share price information 
The current price of ITV plc ordinary shares is available on Ceefax and  
on the Company website at www.itvplc.com. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITV plc Report and accounts 2009 Shareholder information 

114 

The Unclaimed Assets Register 
The Company participates in The Unclaimed Assets Register, which 
provides a search facility for financial assets, which may have been  
lost or forgotten and which donates 10% of its public search fees to  
a wide range of UK charities. For further information and to obtain  
a search request form contact: 

The Unclaimed Assets Register 
PO Box 9501 
Nottingham NG80 1WD 

0870 241 1713 

search@uar.co.uk 

www.uar.co.uk 

Unsolicited mail 
The Company is legally obliged to make its register of members 
available to the public. As a consequence of this some shareholders 
might receive unsolicited mail. Shareholders wishing to limit the amount 
of such mail should write to the Mailing Preference Service (MPS): 

FREEPOST 29 LON20771  
London W1E 0ZT 

Alternatively you can register online or request an application form by 
telephone or by email. MPS will then notify the bodies that support its 
service that you do not wish to receive unsolicited mail. 

0845 703 4599 

mps@dma.org.uk 

www.mpsonline.org.uk 

Registered office 
The London Television Centre 
Upper Ground 
London SE1 9LT 

020 7157 3000 

Company registration number 4967001 

Company website 
Investor and shareholder related information can be found on the 
Company website at: 

www.itvplc.com 

Financial calendar 

Annual General Meeting 
Interim Management Statement 
Half year results announcement 

7 May 2010 
May 2010 
August 2010 

Unauthorised brokers (Boiler Room Scams) 
Shareholders are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, 
offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free company reports. 
These are typically from overseas based brokers who target UK 
shareholders offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless 
or high risk shares in US or UK investments. These operations are 
commonly known as boiler rooms. 

If you receive any unsolicited investment advice: 

–  Make sure you get the correct name of the person and organisation. 

–  Check that they are properly authorised by the FSA before getting 

involved by visiting: 

www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/register 

–  Report the matter to the FSA either by calling 0300 500 5000 or by 

visiting:  

www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk 

–  If the calls persist, hang up. 

If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you will not be eligible to receive 
payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The FSA 
can be contacted by completing an online form at: 

www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/doing/regulated/law/alerts/overseas.shtml 

Details of any sharedealing facilities that the Company endorses will 
only be included in company mailings.  

More detailed information can be found on the FSA website: 

www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk 

Identity theft 
Tips for protecting your ITV plc shares: 

–  Ensure all your certificates are kept in a safe place or hold your shares 

electronically in CREST via a nominee. 

–  Keep all correspondence from Capita in a safe place, or destroy 

correspondence by shredding. 

–  If you change address inform Capita in writing or via the Shareholder 
Portal. If you receive a letter from Capita regarding a change of 
address but have not recently moved please contact them 
immediately. 

–  Consider having your dividend paid directly into your bank. This will 
reduce the risk of the cheque being intercepted or lost in the post. 

–  If you change your bank account, inform Capita of the details  

of your new account. You can do this via post or online using the 
Shareholder Portal. Respond to any letters Capita sends you  
about this. 

–  If you are buying or selling shares only deal with brokers registered  

in your country of residence or the UK. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
115 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Glossary of terms 

Analogue television – UK terrestrial television broadcasting format 
supporting five channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five) 

BARB – Broadcasters’ Audience Research Board – owned by 
broadcasters and advertisers and providing data on viewing statistics in 
UK households 

Cable – cable television – often also providing telephony and broadband 
internet services 

Cash bid – the fixed element of ITV and GMTV’s licence fees 

Channel 3 licences – the 15 regional licences and one national licence 
awarded to transmit Channel 3 across the UK. Eleven of the regional 
licences are held by ITV plc.  

Contract Rights Renewal (CRR) – the remedy agreed by Carlton and 
Granada in 2003 as a pre-condition of the merger and which governs the 
way in which ITV1 airtime is sold by ITV to its advertising customers 

Corporate Responsibility (CR) – term used to cover all areas of 
responsible behaviour by companies including ethical behaviour, 
corporate governance and environmental impact 

Cost Per Thousand (CPT) – the price paid by an advertiser for 1,000 
commercial impacts 

Defined benefit pension scheme – a pension scheme for employees 
under which the ultimate pension benefit is usually related to salary, 
either at date of retirement/leaving or at date of accrual 

Defined contribution pension scheme – a pension scheme for 
employees under which the ultimate pension is usually related to the 
contributions paid into the scheme by employee and employer and to 
the investment returns earned on such contributions up to retirement 

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) – the digital transmission system 
(currently comprising six multiplexes each capable of transmitting 
between six and ten television channels), that is often referred to as 
Freeview, will fully replace analogue transmissions at switchover 

Freesat – a platform broadcasting digital channels by satellite accessible 
to viewers without paying a subscription  

Freeview – the name by which UK free to air digital terrestrial television 
is often known 

High Definition/HD Services – channels or services broadcast in 
substantially higher resolution than standard, providing improved 
picture quality 

Impact or commercial impact – one advertising impact is one viewer 
watching one 30-second commercial (usually referred to as rate card 
weighted and relating to a specific demographic group). Unless 
otherwise stated, commercial impact figures cited throughout this 
report refer to adult commercial impacts based on BARB data 

ITV1 adult SOCI – SOCI for the adult demographic delivered on ITV1 

Net Advertising Revenue (NAR) – the amount of money received 
by the broadcaster as payment for spot advertising net of any 
commission paid 

Ofcom – the regulator established to govern UK broadcasting as well as 
other areas of the media and telephony industry 

Office of Fair Trading (OFT) – the Office of Fair Trading is the UK’s 
principal competition regulator 

Peak-time – the evening period of heaviest television viewing activity 
normally between 7.00 pm and 10.30 pm 

PQR Levy – the variable element of ITV’s licence fees representing a 
percentage of NAR and sponsorship income 

Product placement – the inclusion of, or reference to, a product or 
service within a programme in return for payment or other valuable 
consideration to the programme maker or broadcaster  

Premium Rate Services (PRS) – usually a telephone number charging a 
higher rate than normal local calls and often used by television channels 
for participation TV and quizzes. PRS may be accessed via the red button 
on a TV remote control  

Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) – the considerable requirements 
placed on certain broadcasters including obligations to transmit 
particular material which may not be wholly commercial (e.g. religion 
and current affairs) within their schedules 

Share of Commercial Impacts (SOCI) – the term used to define the share 
of total UK television commercial impacts which is delivered by one 
channel or group of channels. Unless otherwise stated, SOCI figures cited 
throughout this report refer to share of adult commercial impacts based 
on BARB data 

Share of viewing/audience share – the share of the total viewing 
audience during a defined period (for example, for a slot, hour, peak-
time or full calendar year) gained by a programme or channel. Unless 
otherwise stated, audience share figures cited throughout this report 
refer to share of viewing for all individuals based on BARB data 

Unique users (UUs) – a measure of the number of individual users 
visiting a website over a defined period 

Video on demand – the ability to deliver video content to a customer’s 
television set or computer when the customer requests it 

Video views – a measure of viewing of online video. A video view is 
generated when a piece of video content is delivered to a user’s screen 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
116 

ITV plc Report and accounts 2009  
Financial record 

Results 
Revenue 
Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) before exceptional items 
Amortisation of intangible assets 
Impairment of intangible assets 
Share of profit or loss of joint ventures and associated undertakings 
Investment income  
Exceptional items 
Profit/(loss) before interest and tax 
Net financing costs 
Profit/(loss) before tax 
Taxation 
Profit/(loss) after tax 
Non-controlling interests 
Profit/(loss) for the financial year 

Basic earnings/(loss) per share 
Dividend per share 

Consolidated statement of financial position 
Share capital 
Reserves 
Total equity attributable to equity shareholders of the parent company 
Non-controlling interests 
Net assets 

Represented by: 
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets 
Investments 
Distribution rights 
Inventory 
Trade and other receivables (including assets held for sale and derivative  
financial instruments) 
Deferred tax asset 
Total assets 
Net debt 
Deferred tax liability 
Other liabilities 
Provisions 

2009
£m 

2008 
£m 

2007 
£m 

2006
£m 

2005
£m 

1,879 
202 
(59)
– 
(7)
– 
(20)
116 
(91)
25 
69 
94 
(3)
91 

2.3p 
– 

389 
(44)
345 
1 
346 

1,191 
6 
16 
388 

565 
50 
2,216 
(612)
– 
(1,182)
(76)
346 

2,029 
211 
(66) 
(2,695) 
(15) 
1 
(108) 
(2,672) 
(60) 
(2,732) 
178 
(2,554) 
(2) 
(2,556) 

(65.9)p 
0.675p 

389 
137 
526 
8 
534 

1,360 
71 
13 
516 

528 
– 
2,488 
(730) 
(55) 
(1,085) 
(84) 
534 

2,082 
311 
(56) 
(28) 
2 
1 
(9) 
221 
(33) 
188 
(50) 
138 
(1) 
137 

3.5p 
3.15p 

389 
2,844 
3,233 
6 
3,239 

4,084 
89 
7 
440 

472 
– 
5,092 
(668) 
(75) 
(1,079) 
(31) 
3,239 

2,181 
375 
(56)
(20)
8 
3 
4 
314 
(26)
288 
(66)
222 
(3)
219 

5.5p 
3.15p 

401 
2,755 
3,156 
7 
3,163 

4,088 
103 
11 
400 

548 
– 
5,150 
(734)
(7)
(1,219)
(27)
3,163 

2,196 
460 
(481)
– 
11 
5 
(28)
346 
(35)
311 
(85)
226 
(4)
222 

5.4p 
3.12p 

423 
2,870 
3,293 
12 
3,305 

4,182 
274 
13 
388 

432 
74 
5,363 
(481)
– 
(1,525)
(52)
3,305 

This financial record sets out the balance sheet and results of the Group since its formation following the merger of Granada plc and 
Carlton Communications plc. 

Cash and cash equivalents are included within net debt.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Design and production: Radley Yeldar

Print: Granite Colour are ISO 14001 and FSC accredited.

Paper: The cover and text material used for this report is printed on revive 50:50 Silk a recycled paper containing 50% recycled waste and 50% virgin fibre and manufactured 
at a mill certified with ISO 14001 environmental management standard. The pulp used in this product is bleached using a Elemental Chlorine Free process (ECF)

 ITV plc
The London Television Centre 
Upper Ground 
London SE1 9LT
www.itv.com
Investors: www.itvplc.com