ITV may sue STV for £22m unpaid fee

ITV is considering suing STV over an alleged failure to pay a £22 million fee for being part of its network.

STV is strongly disputing the claim, which is equivalent to its market value. It is choosing to opt out of a number of series on the ITV network, as it seeks to introduce more home-grown content.

The Scottish broadcaster, which is behind a range of programmes including Rebus and The Hour, has reportedly argued that the £22m is not a contractual amount and it disputes this figure. It is looking for a revised agreement.

STV saw regional advertising revenues rise 11 per cent in 2008, despite a challenging climate. It opts out of four to five hours of ITV programming a week.