ITV is understood to have committed to paying around £700,000 to the producers of the British Comedy Awards in a move that means the network could still show this year's ceremony.
According to a source familiar with the negotiations between the network and the show's producer, Michael Hurll Television, the production company will receive the money after it delivers its film of this year's event, which takes place on December 5.
The move prevents the event falling into the hands of rival broadcasters such as Channel 4 and Sky.
ITV's payment covers the production costs of filming the awards, which have been shown on ITV for 17 years but have been left in uncertainty after being caught up in the scandal over premium-rate phonelines.
Last month ITV announced it would not be involved in this year's event following alleged phone-voting irregularities relating to the 2005 coverage.
However, a senior ITV source said that the broadcaster had not ruled out showing the event, which has "simply been postponed" while media law firm Olswang investigates the alleged irregularities.
An ITV spokeswoman declined to given any indication of when the Olswang report - separate from the Deloitte investigation into ITV phone-in competitions - will be completed or published.
It is understood that Channel 4 in particular feels that if ITV bought the event and did not show it, it would effectively be paying £700,000 just to stop a rival broadcasting it.
"It seems very dog in the manger," said a Channel 4 source. "It is like they are paying to stop us having it. Are they worried that Jonathan Ross will make fun of ITV and Michael Grade?"
However an ITV source countered: "That is just rubbish - why would we allow another broadcaster to take a show we have a contract with and steal it for themselves?"
This year's event will be presented by Jonathan Ross and will feature an array of top comedy talent. It is thought that the former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, will also be attending the ceremony in London.
Last year, the broadcast attracted 5 million viewers and a 23% share of the audience over 90 minutes from 9pm.
Olswang is investigating claims that during the December 2005 ceremony voting continued for the people's choice award even though the final section of the show was not aired live on ITV1.
Viewers were allegedly encouraged to dial in to vote for the award after the competition had closed.
It was won by Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and not by BBC comedian Catherine Tate, believed to have been the "real" winner.
· 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".