Gyngell attacks TV takeover tycoons

Bruce Gyngell, the outspoken managing director of Yorkshire Tyne Tees Television launched a scathing attack on the "takeover tycoons" who are threatening the quality of British television.

Mr Gyngell, who was addressing the Cambridge Union last night, said: "In recent years we have attracted a new breed, businessmen who are only interested in television for the money they can make."

Instead of television being a cultural asset, there is a danger that it will be crushed by the bean- counters. Corporate accountants, takeover tycoons and here-today- gone-tomorrow managers who care nothing about quality."

Mr Gyngell, former head of TV-am, is fighting a rearguard action to prevent the takeover of YTTV by Granada.