Commercial Broadcasters Demand Tighter Reins On BBC Digital Plans

The big names of commercial broadcasting are clubbing together to try and thwart the BBC’s plans to launch digital rivals to their channels. BSkyB, Telewest and Turner Broadcasting are said to be included in a consortium of seven which is accusing the Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Chris Smith of allowing the BBC to abuse the licence fee.

BBC director-general Greg Dyke outlined plans in summer to launch an entertainment channel, BBC3, an arts station, BBC4 and two free children’s channels on the digital platform (see Greg Dyke Lays Out Future Of The BBC). Commercial broadcasters are worried that digital channels funded by the licence fee would amount to unfair competition for their paid-for services.

The new channels will need to have the approval of Smith, but the consortium is concerned that plans are not being considered closely enough. In a letter believed to have been sent to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, it requests a meeting with the minister to discuss the issue.

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk BSkyB: 020 7705 3000 www.sky.com Telewest: 01483 750 900 www.telewest.co.uk

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