Sky TV bids to sign up the Queen's Christmas message

SKY TELEVISION is holding talks with Buckingham Palace in a bid to add the Queen's Christmas Day message to its growing portfolio of national events available only to satellite subscribers.

Negotiations have been under way since January between representatives of the Queen and senior executives of News International, Sky's main shareholder, with a view to tying up a pounds 10m five-year deal with the House of Windsor.

Any agreement will face strong opposition from MPs, who have criticised the satellite station's tightening stranglehold on major sporting and cultural events. There was uproar when Sky secured sole rights to England's cricket Test matches and attempted to land exclusive coverage of the Wimbledon tennis fortnight.

The Sky proposal, a copy of which has been obtained by the Independent, includes an pounds 8m one-off payment to a charitable trust administering the rebuilding of Windsor Castle, damaged by fire in November 1992, and a further pounds 2m towards the cost of the recently modernised crown jewels display at the Tower of London.

In return, the Queen's broadcast to the Commonwealth will be shown exclusively on Sky for the next five years. News International has agreed to Palace demands that the BBC should have free access to edited highlights, although the Sky logo will appear in the top left-hand corner.

The approach to the Palace was suggested by Kelvin MacKenzie, Sky's managing director and editor of the Sun when the paper leaked the Queen's message in December 1992. He refused to comment yesterday.

Sky's offer 'respectfully requests that Her Majesty' makes her speech in 'brighter surroundings' than the Palace library, and recommends a walking 'chat' to viewers either in the Palace gardens or through the Queen's private art collection. Additionally, she has been asked to wear her crown or 'at least a tiara'.

Tony Banks, the Labour MP for Newham North West and a staunch republican, last night attacked the proposal, although he acknowledged that the Royal Family's decision to pay tax, the damage to Windsor Castle and the costly alterations at the Tower had stretched finances to the limit.

'There has been a gradual erosion in the public's respect for the Royal Family, but this makes it look as if they're up for sale. Whatever next, the Honours List sponsored by Sky?' However, Palace sources said the Sky offer was likely to be accepted. 'The deal is not unattractive. Firstly, there is the money. Secondly, our people will push for an undertaking from Rupert Murdoch that he will start promoting a new, more positive, image of the family in his titles,' one official said.

The timing of the message is likely to be brought forward from 3pm to 2.45pm so as not to interfere with Sky's peak-time film. A slot has been cleared between Christmas with the Simpsons and Demolition Man, starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.