ITN to bid for pilot news service

Part of the TV licence fee could be used to fund the new service

ITN says it will be bidding to run a pilot news service to replace the current ITV Wales service next year.

It said it would build a coalition with local newspapers, radio stations and community groups to provide a "compelling" news service.

ITV has warned it will be unable to provide Welsh news - or regional bulletins in England - after 2013.

Wales is one of three UK places taking part in the pilot, which could be funded partly by the TV licence fee.

Llanelli-based independent media company Tinopolis has previously said it will bid for one or more of the pilot schemes for replacement ITV news services, which will also run in Scotland and the English region of Tyne Tees and Border.

The service is due to start in summer 2010.

John Hardie, chief executive of ITN, said the broadcaster was "excited" about its bid for the Welsh and Tyne Tees and Border pilots.

BBC alternative

He said they would be "joining forces" with the news teams that currently provide news on ITV in the two regions.

"We are building a coalition with newspapers, radio and community groups to bring together the best in commercial journalism in each of the regions to offer a compelling multi-platform news service for viewers, listeners and readers," he said.

He added the proposal provided "an opportunity to re-invigorate local and regional newsgathering across broadcast, print and online and to ensure that there is an innovative and comprehensive alternative to the BBC".

It has been reported that other companies to express an interest in bidding for the pilots include the Press Association, Trinity Mirror and Guardian Media Group.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has published a timetable for the process of selecting the company to provide the pilot news service.

A selection panel will evaluate the bids and make a recommendation on the three winning bids in Wales, Scotland and Tyne Tees and Border in March 2010.

Plans to use part of the TV licence fee to support news on ITV were announced by the UK government in Lord Carter's Digital Britain report.