"I don't see any scenario [for ITV Digital] that does not see Sky as a partner," said Carlton boss Gerry Murphy. "If you are in the pay television business in this country you have to partner Sky."
Any deal between the two would be closely scrutinised by competition authorities, but ITV believes that an agreement can be reached which would attract much-needed subscribers to its platform.
ITV recently signed a deal with Sky, which makes ITV1 and ITV2 available to digital satellite viewers via the Sky Digital platform for the first time.
Most significantly, both sides are in talks that could see the loss-making ITV Sport service offered as an additional channel for the Sky Sports subscribers.
UK broadcaster Carlton, a joint-venture partner in the ITV Digital venture, has revealed that a partnership with BSkyB is essential if the terrestrial platform is to secure its long-term future.
