Ondigital 'faces relaunch'

Ondigital: set to move closer to ITV

Digital TV service Ondigital is set to be overhauled and renamed in moves to bring the the channel closer to the ITV network.

Newspaper reports suggest the move will be announced on Wednesday, when Ondigital chief executive Stuart Prebble is confirmed as the new chief executive of the ITV network.

The appointment will further align the digital network with Britain's most-watched terrestrial broadcaster.

Ondigital is jointly owned by Carlton Communications and Granada, which dominate the ITV network.

Spokespersons for ITV and Ondigital refused to confirm the changes, but it is widely reported Ondigital will be relaunched as ITV Digital.

Overhaul

Stuart Prebble is also expected to overhaul digital channel ITV2, launch a new ITV sports channel and a website, ITV.com.

The plans for Ondigital are intended to improve cross-promotion between the ITV network and the digital service - and reduce duplication.

Stuart Prebble will become one of the most powerful figures in the British media when he takes up the ITV post, which has lain empty since it was vacated by Richard Eyre in January 2000.

Prebble began his career as a BBC graduate trainee, becoming a reporter for the corporation.

'Churn'

Later, he joined Granada to produce and present World In Action, becoming editor of the programme in 1988, and head of the company's factual output four years later.

He joined Ondigital in July 1999.

Ondigital launched its service to customers in November 1998, but has not matched the success of rival BSkyB in attracting susbcribers.

Critics have pointed to high rates of "churn" - the ratio of subscribers who take up the service only to drop it within a year.

The latest figures for Ondigital's subscribers will also be released on Wednesday.