BBC and ITV warn BSkyB should not buy Channel 5

The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 yesterday rounded on the Government's proposals to allow Rupert Murdoch's media empire to buy Channel 5 under new media laws now passing through Parliament.

Giving evidence before a special parliamentary committee examining the draft Communications Bill, the BBC and Channel 4 also voiced concerns about a separate proposal that would allow non-European Union companies to buy ITV.

The broadcasters said they would not be able to compete if Channel 5 was swallowed up by Mr Murdoch's BSkyB satellite operation and if a major US group bought ITV. The provisions of the draft Bill are considered to be particularly damaging for Channel 4, which relies on American imports for many of its hit series.

Greg Dyke, the director-general of the BBC said: "There must be a danger if you allow Time Warner to own ITV that a number of American programmes that now come on to the market, won't come on to the market at all." AOL Time Warner, the US media giant, produces Friends and ER, two of the most highly rated shows on Channel 4.

ITV pointing out that it is obliged to use European-made programmes for 65 per cent of its content, regardless of who owns the channel.

ITV, Channel 4 and the BBC joinedto spell out the dangers of the financially powerful Sky buying Channel 5. Although Sky, led by chief executive Tony Ball, would dearly love to own a terrestrial broadcaster, there is no evidence that RTL, Channel 5's owner, wants to sell.