View from City Road: YTT looks like a prime target

Forget the sharp dip into losses by Yorkshire-Tyne Tees last year. The result reflects its costly bid to retain its Channel 3 licence and problems with its advertising sales team, which have now been addressed.

The key point is that YTT is likely to be of strategic importance to several possible predators. It has a good track record in making popular programmes, is financially strong and broadcasts to about 15 per cent of Britain's viewers.

If the Government, as expected, relaxes cross-media ownership rules, YTT will be a prime target for publishing groups - such as Pearson or Emap - that may want to diversify into a large regional ITV company. Other than YTT, they do not have much choice.