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.

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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