BSkyB eyes ITV news deal

BSkyB is known by many for its sports coverage

Satellite broadcaster BSkyB is to bid to provide news for ITV, a move that could end ITN's days as news supplier to the network.

The company's Sky News subsidiary has applied to the Independent Television Commission to be accepted as the nominated news provider for ITV.

If the television regulator grants its approval, Sky News could bid for the 10 year contract to provide news to the ITV network.

The ITN contract ends in 2002.

Nick Pollard, head of Sky News, said: "We feel we could offer a very attractive proposition to ITV and are sure that our record as a TV news broadcaster provides the strongest evidence in support of our application."

ITN has sought to downplay the Sky News announcement, dismissing it as predictable.

"With the launch of the new ITN news channel, we are invading Sky's core business.. we always relish a fight," a spokesman for ITN said.

He pointed out that BSkyB had already unsuccessfully tried to take over ITN contracts to supply news to Channel 4 and Channel 5.

BSkyB's confirmation follows speculation in some Sunday newspapers that an announcement was imminent.

Murdoch's influence

If the satellite broadcaster did win the contract, there would be concerns about the influence of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation in the UK.

It owns a 37.5% stake in BSkyB.

ITN is owned by a group including United News & Media, Carlton Communications, Daily Mail & General Trust and Reuters Group.

Last week, United News accepted a bid for its TV operations from another ITV owner Granada Media.