All clear sounded on ITV Digital STBs

Phew!

Around a million or so customers of ITV Digital won't have to cough up £40 to keep their set top boxes (STB) after all, following a deal between the liquidators of the failed digital TV outfit and media giants Carlton and Granada.

Six weeks ago liquidators Grant Thornton wanted former customers to buy their STBs - which can be used to watch free-to-view digital TV channels - for £40.

Grant Thornton insisted that punters were only loaned the gear as part of their contracts with ITV Digital.

Those who didn't want to cough up had the option of handing back the STBs. But anyone who refused to pay-up or hand in their STBs faced the threat of debt collectors banging on their door.

At the time, the STBs were regarded as "potentially a major asset in the liquidation" as Grant Thornton tried to clear ITV Digital's £1.24bn debt.

Now, though, ITV Digital's parent companies - Carlton and Granada - have decided to buy the million or so STBs for £2.8m.

So the pressure is off for those who were loaned the STBs. And anyone who did pay up for the boxes will have their money returned.

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