BBC could lose its TV transmission networks

The Government is being urged by NTL, the privatised transmission company that provides the television networks for ITV and Channel 4, to strip the BBC of its transmission service, writes Maggie Brown.

NTL says that only by full privatisation can the BBC contribute to the changes taking place, and it would aid the introduction of digital television.

It says that this needs to be introduced promptly, by 1997, "to meet the challenge from cable and satellite channels". NTL confirms that it would be interested in buying the BBC networks, and because of the economies of scale it would be able to offer the highest price.

It says that the case for simultaneous broadcasting (simulcasting) of existing BBC, ITV and Channel 4 services on the new digital networks is weak, a view shared by the Independent Television Commission.

However, it says that one new digital slot should be offered to Channel 3, Channel 4/S4C, the prospective Channel 5 and the BBC. The other new channels (probably five) should be competitively allocated.

Regulation, page 22