Fears over BSkyB dominance

British Digital Broadcasting, the consortium of BSkyB, Carlton and Granada, which is bidding for three digital television licences would harm competition and diversity in the television market if it wins, according to the Consumers' Association. It has told the Independent Television Commission that if the consortium won all three licences it would cement BSkyB's dominance of the subscription television market in sport and film rights.

However, the association concedes that one of the licences should go to the BDB consortium to stop BSkyB - which will launch digital television from satellites later this year - from competing against terrestrial digital television. The association wants two of the licences given to the other consortium, Digital Terrestrial Television, to ensure diversity and competition in broadcasting. The ITC will announce the winner or winners in May.