By Jason Farrell, Political Correspondent
Sky News, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have announced joint plans for a series of party leader debates across TV and the internet in the run-up to the 2015 General Election.
The format for 2015 would see three different styles of debate – one of which will include Nigel Farage.
Sky News and Channel 4 intend to host a straight head-to-head contest between David Cameron and Ed Miliband, which would be chaired by former Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman with Sky News' Kay Burley introducing the programme and presenting post-debate analysis.
The BBC would broadcast a similar debate to the 2010 format where the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders are pitted against each other. This would be presented by David Dimbleby.
ITV would have a four-way contest between the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and UKIP leaders. This would be chaired by ITV presenter Julie Etchingham.
It amounts to a 4-3-2 strategy, rather than the 3-3-3 of 2010, and the broadcasters say they are "responding to the changes in the political landscape" which has seen a poll surge in UKIP support.
The news organisations describe the debates as "vital in engaging voters with the political process" and have written to Mr Cameron, Mr Miliband, Nick Clegg and Mr Farage inviting them to take part.
YouGov pollster Peter Kellner said the plan was a "very, very smart proposal". He said Mr Cameron's internal advice from his strategic adviser Lynton Crosby would be to avoid televised debates that give "Nigel Farage an opening".
He told Sky News: "David Cameron has the most to lose and Nigel Farage has the most to gain."
Mr Farage, voiced concerns that he would be exempt from two of the debates, and said: "This is better than it could have been. At last, there is a recognition of UKIP but if the political situation changed, we will expect to be included in the second debate."
While a Liberal Democrat spokesman said: "The Liberal Democrats, like the Labour Party, have publicly said that we would be prepared to sign up to the same 3-3-3 system we had in 2010.
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Gallery: Leaders' Debates: A 4-3-2 Line-Up
Sky News: David Cameron v Ed Miliband
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BBC: David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg
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ITV: David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage
"We do not accept the proposal that the Liberal Democrats, as a party of Government, should be prevented from defending our record in one of the TV debates.
"That is the case we will make strongly in the negotiations that will now take place and we urge the other parties to join us around the negotiating table without excuse or delay."
The leaders have agreed in principle to the debates, but the Prime Minister has resisted pinning down the detail and other party leaders have accused him of dragging his feet.
Privately, some senior Conservatives believe it was the 2010 debates that cost David Cameron a majority and they want him to try and wriggle out of Round Two.
Previously, the debates were at weekly intervals in the last three weeks leading up to polling day. Mr Cameron has suggested they should happen before campaigning gets under way.
The Head of Sky News John Ryley said: "There are only 24 weeks to go before the start of the General Election Campaign.
"Sky, Channel 4, the BBC and ITV have put together a clear compelling proposal; three debates during the election campaign. It's now critical that the political parties engage and start negotiating for the debates seriously."
The proposal for the 2015 debates addresses Mr Cameron's concerns by suggesting the three debates take place at fortnightly intervals beginning in early April. The suggested dates are April 2, April 16 and April 30.
Live debates have now become a normal part of the political landscape. Mr Clegg and Mr Farage clashed over Europe, and the bitter battles between Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling energised the Scottish independence fight.
While 2010 was the television election, drawing 22 million viewers, 2015 will engage more widely with voters online and using social media.
As well as live studio audiences, comprising members of the general public, questions will also be provided to the leaders using social media including Twitter and Facebook to ensure the widest possible audience engagement. Each broadcaster will make their debate available live to all other media outlets.
In a joint statement, the news organisations said: "All four broadcasters believe televised party leader debates are vital in engaging voters with the political process. The broadcasters intend to transmit the leaders debates live for all their extensive audiences, on air, online and on social media, which together have a mass reach amongst the British population."
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