BBC plea on Murdoch's digital TV

Rupert Murdoch's digital software company, News Datacom, should be obliged to license its set-top box technology to all manufacturers and broadcasters, the BBC said.

Otherwise there was a risk that the market for digital television, including 200 channels of television, electronic banking and home shopping, would be dominated by one player. "This is the last chance to create an orderly, open market in digital TV where everyone will benefit," Patricia Hodgson, BBC director of policy and planning, said. The Government's guidelines on digital television are expected to be published in final form next week.