Speaking at a House of Lords communications committee hearing this morning (29 January), Airey said: "ITV represents 46% of the market which is market dominance. Five would like CRR to be maintained while we have a broadcaster with that share value."
In contrast, Michael Grade, executive chairman of ITV, told the committee that CRR was "neutral" for ITV's competitors.
Grade complained that CRR prevented ITV from taking commercial advantage of programmes which had a smaller number of higher quality viewers, such as Lost in Austen.
Grade said a continuation of the CRR would mean ITV would have to chase ratings. He warned that if CRR remained in place, "ITV will only carry on with shows because they are certain to deliver more people".
Airey reiterated Five's commitment to public service broadcasting and UK-originated content. Grade, however, said he had a responsibility to ITV shareholders and would only continue to invest in production in the UK where it benefited ITV.
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