It cost the government more than £65,000 to broadcast Coronavirus briefings during lockdown.
According to an FOI request - ELS and Greenlight Television were paid the fee to create a 'professional studio approach', in which Ministers could speak directly to both the public and media.
The decision was made 'not to favour one media outlet over another'.
It's also been emphasised questions from journalists were not vetted - but put to politicians live.