BSkyB could ride to Beeb's rescue at Tory conference

BSkyB could perform a heroic act of public service broadcasting next week by ensuring that prime minister David Cameron's speech to the Tory party conference is aired on the BBC. Broadcasters take turns to provide pooled footage of conference speeches. If industrial action by corporation staff over pension changes designed to hit the BBC's coverage of the event goes ahead, as seems likely, that will prove vital. With corporation cameramen on strike, it will be the satellite TV company that rides to the rescue by allowing the national broadcaster to screen it. At a time when relations between Sky and the BBC are at a low point, James Murdoch may be relishing that fact.