BSkyB ordered to sell its ITV shares

BECTU has today welcomed the government’s decision to order BSkyB to sell part of its 17.9% shareholding in ITV plc.

Commenting on the decision BECTU general secretary, Gerry Morrissey said: “We welcome today’s announcement. BSkyB’s anti-competitive stance, designed to scupper a then possible merger between ITV and Virgin Media, has had the effect of holding ITV back at a critical time in its development.

“ITV must be able to continue its investment in programmes in order to compete effectively with the BBC and with other UK broadcasters. Today’s decision restores to ITV a freer hand to do just that.

“Today’s decision is also a good one because it puts a limit on concentrated media ownership and is therefore also in the public interest”.

BSkyB acquired the major stakeholding in 2006 in a move to block a possible merger between Virgin Media and ITV which it believed would damage its business.