BSkyB looks likely to make an Appeal Court challenge to the ruling that would require it to sell down its 17.9% stake in ITV plc, according to weekend media reports.
In September the Competition Appeal Tribunal ordered BSkyB to reduce its stake to 7.5%. Last month a Competition Appeal Tribunal rejected an appeal brought by Virgin Media that would have forced BSkyB to sell the remainder of its stake.
It was the November 2006 purchase of the ITV holding by Sky that effectively scuppered Virgin’s own plans to acquire the commercial broadcaster.
BSkyB has until December 1 to make a final decision, but management thinking is said to currently favour a visit to the Court of Appeal.