BSkyB has accused Channel 4 of wasting £270m on ‘unprofitable non-core commercial activities”.
Sky made the claim in a letter to Lord Carter, as part of their input into his Digital Britain report.
Those ‘unprofitable’activities include Channel 4 radio, launched in January 2007, but scrapped last year.
According to The Guardian, Sky said Channel 4 is in stronger position than many rivals due to its £425m cash reserves.
Sky has also offered to work with Channel 4 to create a ‘portfolio of paid-for channels”, heavily promoted on the satellite television. But it said those overtures were ‘rebuffed”.
Channel 4 – which is state-owned, but relies on advertising revenue – is facing a revenue shortfall, and is asking for more government help.
Meanwhile, Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan, and director of programmes Kevin Lygo, have both agreed to take 25 per cent pay cuts, from £650,000 and £750,000 respectively.
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