ITV And C4 Call For MMC Investigation Of BSkyB

The row between cable companies and BSkyB has gathered momentum, with Leslie Hill, chairman of the ITVA, and Michael Grade, chief executive of Channel 4, have called for the Trade and Industry Secretary, Michael Heseltine to launch an investigation into BSkyB’s arrangements with Nynex and Telewest.

In a letter to Mr Heseltine, Mr Grade and Mr Hill said BSkyB had built a monopoly position in the pay-television market. It controlled three quarters of pay TV revenue and is the only subscription management system in the UK. There needs to be an alternative to BSkyB, the letter says; “We do not believe this is in the public interest. We would urgently ask you to refer these deals to the MMC.”