Sky is in negotiations to keep upcoming drama and factual channel ITV3 off digital terrestrial TV, Broadcast reports this week.
ITV has still to confirm whether the new station - due to launch this autumn - will be restricted to pay TV only or if it will be free-to-air like popular general entertainment outfit ITV2.
Sources told the magazine that Sky have approached ITV with a number of "incentives" to make ITV3 a pay TV offering in order to lessen the impact from Freeview, which is currently outselling Sky at a rate of around ten to one.
It is understood that the issue has also been tied in with talks on the future of joint venture channel Granada Plus, as well as ITV's satellite carriage deal, due for renewal later this year.
ITV has still to confirm whether the new station - due to launch this autumn - will be restricted to pay TV only or if it will be free-to-air like popular general entertainment outfit ITV2.
Sources told the magazine that Sky have approached ITV with a number of "incentives" to make ITV3 a pay TV offering in order to lessen the impact from Freeview, which is currently outselling Sky at a rate of around ten to one.
It is understood that the issue has also been tied in with talks on the future of joint venture channel Granada Plus, as well as ITV's satellite carriage deal, due for renewal later this year.
