A long argued-for call for the contractual arrangements between STV and ITV to be 'modernised' has been made by the chief executive of the former, Rob Woodward.

Speaking to TV trade magazine, Broadcast, Woodward is quoted saying: “We need to have a more straightforward way of working which, at the same time, would address some of the tensions within the current structure.”

Among those 'tensions', ITV plc - which owns most of the ITV network - is suing STV Group plc for a gross £38 million, saying the Glasgow-based broadcasters are required to contribute towards the making of network programmes that it has chosen not to show. STV, meanwhile, is counter-suing for a gross £35 million, saying it is owed outstanding advertising revenue.

STV has been increasingly opting out of network programmes, choosing to screen, instead, more home-grown ones.

He further told the magazine: “[Irish broadcaster] TV3 buys access to the ITV1 schedule, it can schedule as it wants, it can weave in its own programming or acquired programming - that to me looks like a productive template."