‘BSkyB Is Trying To Dominate The Future Of Digital Television’, Says ITV Chairman

The chairman of ITV, Leslie Hill, is asking 300 MPs and Peers for their support in preventing BSkyB from “dominating the future of digital television”.

Hill’s response stems from BSkyB’s attack on ITV after it decided not to allow its programmes to be carried on the satellite broadcaster’s digital service, launching this summer (see Sky’s Digital Service Will Go Without ITV Channels). BSkyB has accused ITV of failing to meet its public service requirements by preventing transmission of its programmes on Sky digital services.

ITV claims that Sky is not at all concerned with public service interests but merely wishes to corner the emerging digital television market at an early stage.

Hill says that he is determined to be part of the world’s first successful digital terrestrial television service.

He goes on to say: “ITV companies do not want to become merely content providers to Sky. This would amount to a fundamental change in broadcasting ecology in favour of Sky, who are trying to repeat the domination they achieved in analogue pay television by controlling the gateway to the digital home.”

ITV is also concerned that transmission of its programmes on satellite will prevent the regional variations in programming which are part of its service and remit.

BSkyB were unavailable for comment when contacted by Newsline today.

ITV Network Centre: 0171 843 8204