Grade backs BBC/Sky bid for DTT licence

The former chief executive of Channel 4, Michael Grade, has given his backing to the BBC in their bid to gain the free-to-air DTT licence given up by ITV Digital after the company entered into administration in March.
Writing in the Independent on Sunday, Mr Grade also threw doubt on the application from Channel 4, launched in conjunction with Carlton and Granada, saying: "'ITV Digital 2' seems to be led basically by the same people hoping for a second chance. Channel 4 has a big contribution to make, but I think it would have had more chance throwing its resources behind the BBC-Sky bid. It may well have backed a loser."
However, he believes the joint BBC/Sky bid "brings together the country's greatest programme-making machine and the sector's best proven managers".
Other bidders for the DTT licences were dismissed by Mr Grade, including United Business Media and NTL who are described as "hardly a desirable consortium" given NTL's financial problems, according to Mr Grade.
Mr Grade has been employed by both the BBC and Channel 4. In 1984, he joined BBC1 as controller and became BBC TV's director of programmes in 1986. Then in 1988 he took up the post of chief executive at Channel 4 Television – a post he held until 1997.
Mr Grade also ran for the chairmanship of the BBC in September 2001, a post that was eventually awarded to economist Gavyn Davies.
The Independent Television Commission (ITC) is considering bids for the DTT licences and will announce the preferred bidder on July 4.
ITC, www.itc.org.uk
(GMcG)