LONDON The BBC must pass a series of tough tests before it can launch its plans for a new subscription-based sports channel, government officials have warned.
The Culture Department insists that the corporation must not use license fee money to cross-subsidize the new channel, the Guardian newspaper reported Monday.
The BBC announced plans over the weekend to launch a separate commercial sports channel next year in a bid for the corporation to regain the loss of main sporting events to satellite and digital rivals over the past few years.
But the launch would require the approval of Culture Secretary Chris Smith and is expected to raise concern about the blurring of lines between the BBC being a government-funded public service and commercial broadcasting.
The BBC has confirmed that it has been in talks with a number of potential commercial partners for the new venture, but Smith is understood to want a clear distinction between the sports channel and existing BBC resources, which are paid for by license fees.
Over the last few years, Britain's state broadcaster has lost rights to televise virtually all football, including highlights, England cricket matches, Formula One motor racing, Ryder Cup golf between Europe and the U.S. and several top horse races.
(IRNA)