Channel 4 considers Sky news coverage

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Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow and BSkyB chairman Rupert Murdoch might appear unlikely bedfellows. But it has emerged that the broadcaster is considering ditching ITN as its news provider and is contemplating other options including the possibility of turning to Sky News in some capacity.The contract is up for renewal at the end of next year.

However, if it were to decide to end its relationship with ITN, which has made its news bulletins since the channel launched in 1982, it would have to give the company notice by the end of this year.

Insiders close to the decision-making process said that Channel 4, which last weekend announced plans to expand its news coverage by launching an 8pm bulletin on the new digital channel More4, would make its decision in the next few months.

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While pleased with the standard of news provided to its lunchtime news and its flagship hour-long 7pm bulletin by ITN, executives are said to be concerned by developments that could lead to it effectively becoming ITV's in-house news provider over the course of the next contract. A Channel 4 spokesman said: "You only have to look at the quality of Channel 4 News to see what a good product ITN produces. But we are reviewing our position."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1558722,00.html