Carlton buys HTV

Deal gives Granada full control of Meridian

Carlton Communications is buying HTV, the ITV broadcaster for Wales and the West of England, from Granada Media.

Carlton Communications is buying HTV, the ITV broadcaster for Wales and the West of England, from Granada Media.

Carlton will hand over £181 million and its 20-per-cent stake in Meridian, the ITV franchise for the South East of England.

Granada, which was forced to sell HTV to fall in line with broadcasting competition rulings, now controls 99.2 per cent of Meridian.

Carlton will now broadcast to 26 million UK homes.

The chairman of Granada Media, Charles Allen, said: "This is a good deal for our shareholders and secures a balanced and stable future for ITV which will allow it to grow and compete effectively in the digital age.

"In partnership with Carlton, we are now well placed to optimise the value of ITV and ONdigital and to move forward speedily with a unified and clear strategy."