The two parties will meet this week and are expected to discuss the possibility of forging closer links by sharing more sports rights and by using more of ITV's content on Sky and shared broadband products.
BSkyB’s 18-per-cent-stake makes it the largest single investor in ITV. It is a move analysts interpret as thwarting cable operator NTL's attempt to buy the terrestrial network outright and gives BSkyB a seat at the free-to-air table.
NTL is expected to appeal to competition authorities to force BSkyB to sell its stake in ITV. But BSkyB is not seeking a seat on the board in a bid to allay competition concerns.
