Grade hints at pay-per-view clips
Updated on 10 July 2009
ITV could introduce online "pay per view" clips of Britain's Got Talent in time for the next series, its executive chairman Michael Grade has said.
The final of the latest series pulled in more than 19 million viewers and runner-up Susan Boyle became a massive internet hit within days of her audition being broadcast.
Mr Grade told BBC Radio 5 Live that online "micro-payments" of up to around 50p could be introduced per view, in a similar way to applications on a mobile phone.
He indicated to presenter Simon Mayo that the system could be in place before the next series.
Mr Grade said: "This is an issue that all content owners are struggling with, ...all the big Hollywood studios and indeed the BBC. All of us are struggling with this.
"We actually did very well in the UK on ITV.com. Our advertising was sold out on ITV.com.
"We get a big premium for our online advertising. We did OK."
Boyle, who came in second place, became a YouTube sensation and was watched by an estimated 200 million people around the globe.
Mr Grade, 66, added that an advertising agreement was not in place due to a "derisory" offer from YouTube. There has been speculation that ITV could have lost more than £1 million because of a lack of a deal.
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