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 news organisations describe the debates as "vital in engaging voters with the political process" and have written to David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage inviting them to take part.
It follows the first ever leader debates in 2010, which were watched by 22 million people.
The format for 2015 would see three different styles of debate – one of which will include the UKIP leader. The broadcasters say they are "responding to the changes in the political landscape".
Sky News and Channel 4 intend to host a straight head-to-head contest between the two leaders, who could become Prime Minister.
The debate between David Cameron and Ed Miliband would be chaired by former Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman with Sky News' Kay Burley introducing the programme and presenting the 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.
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 leaders have agreed in principle to the debates, but the Prime Minister has resisted pinning down the detail. 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.
Last year he said: "I want the debates to take place. They were good in the last election." But he added: "I thought they took up too much of the campaign, so I think we could start them a bit earlier."
In May this year it was reported the Prime Minister was ready to sign up for three debates, including one with Mr Farage. The Conservative Party Chairman Grant Shapps said "all options are on the table."
The proposal addresses Mr Cameron's concerns by suggesting the three debates take place at fortnightly intervals beginning in early April.
They propose this happens within the six-week campaign period "at a time when the parties will be setting out their policies - to help further engage the audience with the election."
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.
However, while 2010 was the television election – 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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