UTV is to apply to Britain's Independent Television Commission (ITC) for a 10-year extended broadcasting licence from January 1st, 1999, the company's chairman, Mr John McGuckian, said yesterday. The company had applied for the licence at the earliest opportunity, he said, in order to create greater stability for long-term planning and to eliminate future uncertainty over the licence renewal process.

The company's annual general meeting heard business in the current financial year had started satisfactorily with the outlook for the period in line with the board's expectations.