Lights go out at ITV Digital

Bid a final farewell to the monkey...

Viewers of ITV Digital are this morning waking up to blank screens as the company switches off its pay TV channels.

The company's administrator has been unable to find a buyer and as a result 1.2m subscribers are now without service, although they are still able to see the free-to-air channels. ITV Sport will also continue to be available.

About 1,500 jobs at ITV Digital's call centre and headquarters are expected go as the company hands back its broadcast licence to the Independent Television Commission.

The licence will now be re-awarded to interested parties thought to include the BBC.