In the U.K., ITV has joined the ranks of Channel 4 and the BBC in freezing the pay of its top execs. All ITV employees earning over £60,000 ($108,500) will receive no pay increase in 2009. The move will affect about 10% of ITV staff. Staff making less than £25,000 ($44,500) will see raises under the inflation threshold.

Expect austerity measures to go beyond staffing, however. The broadcaster has indicated that some shows will not be renewed, some online efforts might end and that some of ITV's stars - such as The X-Factor's Simon Cowell - should not expect the same compensation levels when current deals expire.