ITV 'plans interactive gaming channel

net1

ITV is said to be planning an interactive quiz and gaming channel as it looks for additional sources of revenue to top up its advertising income.

The digital channel would offer betting interactivity on top of quiz and gaming shows, and could launch next year, according to Broadcast magazine. The channel could be called ITV4 or ITV Gaming.

The broadcaster is said to be planning to test run the concept first on late-night ITV1. ITV recently appointed Debbie Mason, founder of the interactive betting channel Avago, its interactive commissioner.

Meanwhile, ITV's post-merger sell-off continued this week with confirmation of a £52.7m deal with Thomson for its special effects arm Moving Picture Company. Other non-core holdings to have been sold recently are Carlton Books and stakes in Village Roadshow and Thomson.

ITV chief executive Charles Allen said: "This is the fourth disposal of non-core assets in the last four months and has been achieved at a good price and ahead of time."