Should ITV coverage of the Isle of Man be in the hands of Tyne Tees and Border - or the Granada region?

The Communications Commission is seeking views on proposals to change ITV's regional news coverage of the Island.

The pros and cons of both options are set out in a consultation paper which has just been published.

Marian Kenny reports (audio file attached):

The recent merger of Border with Tyne Tees means coverage of Island news would be incorporated in a 15 minute slot within the weekday magazine programme, covering the extended region.

The service would cover 1.6 million homes of which Island households would account for aproximately two per cent.

The Granada region covers almost three million homes of which Island households make up one per cent.

Granada's early evening regional news programme would consist of 30 minutes of news and magazine items from across its region.

A year ago Tynwald took the view the Isle of Man would be better served by the ITV Granada region due to our cultural, economic and social links with the North-West.

Written responses are invited by November 21 and will inform the commission's response to OFCOM's public servie broadcasting review.

You can view the consultation paper at: gov.im/government/boards/cc.xml