The BBC is to put pressure on the merged NTL and Telewest to sell or cut its stake in UKTV, the joint-venture television business, once the two companies have completed their £3.33bn merger. This would help the BBC to value its own 50 per cent stake in UKTV, a joint venture with Flextech, the television content company which is part of Telewest. Sky is said to be keen to take control of UKTV.