The Competition Commission on Tuesday ruled that it would change the regulatory restrictions on how much ITV can charge advertisers, but refused to abolish the system, as the broadcaster had requested, and hinted at minor alterations only.

The regulator said it was seeking further evidence to help it decide what to do about contract rights renewal (CRR), a complex formula invented to mitigate the monopoly effects of the 2003 merger between Granada and Carlton that formed ITV.