ITV has announced a 7% increase in the programme budget for the ITV1 network during the 2003/04 financial year. The decision to up the resources available to the network was made in the wake of clearance being granted for ITV giants Carlton and Granada to merge.

Charles Allen, the CEO-designate of the new ITV plc, said:

"We have made clear our commitment to shaping a stronger ITV delivering high quality television to viewers and advertisers. With greater programme investment than any other commercial broadcaster in Europe, ITV1 has the resources to deliver a winning schedule for the future. This announcement is good news for ITV1’s commissioning team, for programme makers and particularly for our viewers."

Through September 2004, ITV1's programme budget will amount to £849m, up from £792m for the same period last year. Most of the additional money will be pumped into entertainment, comedy and factual programmes, which will form the staple of the network's primetime lineup once its late-night news bulletin moves to a new permanent timeslot at 22:30.