ITV to launch new pay channel for Sky subscribers

ITV is launching a new pay channel - named ITV Encore - that will be dedicated to drama.

The channel, which will be available to Sky subscribers is described as being "home to some of ITV's most successful drama series of recent years" as well as "original commissions" with "big name" stars.

Chief executive Adam Crozier said the broadcaster wanted to "become the most watched, most loved and most talked about family of free and pay channels".

He said: "ITV's brilliant dramas contributed to a fantastic on-screen performance last year - we had three out of the top five dramas in 2013, which helped us increase our share of viewing on the main channel for the first time in a decade.