British Sky Broadcasting Plc said on Friday that it was joining forces with Carlton Communications Plc and Granada Group Plc to apply for licenses to supply up to 15 channels for digital terrestrial television. The venture would also carry BBC subscription channels, top sports events and Hollywood movies. The consortium, calling itself British Digital Broadcasting, wants three licenses, offering 15 channels, including three premium subscription channels, with the other 12 channels to be offered as part of the basic subscription package. It is bidding in competition with Digital Terrestrial Network, which includes CableTel Plc, wholly-owned by US cable company International CableTel Inc, which is also owner of television broadcasting network firm National Transcommunications Ltd.
