Threatening Sky Over ‘The Street’

It is speculated that BSkyB is to launch a bid for Coronation Street from ITV at the next renegotiation of its contract.

The move comes after the controversial acquisition of major sporting events from terrestrial television – the acquisition of Coronation Street would damage ITV as well as cause an angry backlash from 18m viewers.

It is believed that Sky TV chiefs have attempted to diffuse the situation by offering a contract that would permit Granada to continue to show the popular soap from its Manchester headquarters throughout its franchise area in the northwest.

A spokesperson for Granada said this morning that speculation occurs annually whenever the contract is due for renewal, and that it is a business purely between Granada and ITV. BSkyB were unavailable for comment this morning.