ITV is planning an audacious raid for Channel Five's hit US medical series House.
The rights to the Hugh Laurie drama are in the process of being auctioned and ITV is casting its eye over them, according to the ITV chief operating officer, John Cresswell.
Cresswell had lunch yesterday with broker Dresdner Kleinwort.
Today Dresdner issued a note saying the message from ITV was "upbeat and confident".
The note said: "Cresswell pointed out that the broadcast and other rights to House (starring Hugh Laurie), currently on Five, are in the process of being auctioned.
"He appeared, to us at least, to talk positively about the merits of owning them."
House has been a ratings-winner for Five, pulling in around 2.6 million viewers.
Also at the lunch with Dresdner, Mr Cresswell suggested ITV2 was in need of a "teen-oriented soap".
The note, circulated today, said: "Another key issue facing ITV is the development of its digital channels.
"Cresswell highlighted that perhaps what ITV2 might need is a teen-oriented soap, like Hollyoaks on Channel 4, which brings a "habit-forming, young audience" to early peak.
"They are currently assessing options about addressing this issue."
Cresswell also gave Dresdner analyists' confirmation that ITV1's year to date share of commercial impacts, a measure used to buy and sell advertising airtime, was about 5% less that the same period last year, which Dresdner said was "consistent with the -5.5% disclosed last month".
· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 7239 9857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 7278 2332.
· If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".