ITC challenge from Flextech

FLEXTECH, the television channel provider, yesterday started legal action against the Independent Television Commission over recent changes to the rules under which satellite and cable operators can agree to carry channels.

Flextech is seeking a judicial review to the ITC's abolition of so-called minimum carriage guarantees - the rule by which channel providers can demand that their channels are received by a certain proportion of subscribers. Flextech argues that the ITC has acted outside its authority, has acted illegally by interfering with existing contracts, and has not given enough guidance on the changes.