THE controversial pay-per-view coverage of Frank Bruno's world title fight against Mike Tyson will be beamed into homes across the country in the early hours of tomorrow morning - but not as many homes as BSkyB may want to admit.

Even people without access to satellite or cable TV who hope to catch the outcome on terrestrial TV news may miss out as the BBC and ITN are embroiled in a row over access to highlights.

Last night, BSkyB refused to reveal how many of its 4.5 million customers had paid the extra #9.95 (#14.95 from today) to watch Bruno fight Tyson live from Las Vegas. The extra payment also entitles subscribers to watch reruns of the fight, which will be broadcast at 9am, noon and 7.30pm tomorrow.

When asked for subscription figures, a spokeswoman said: ``We are not releasing that information at this time, but we are very encouraged by the very positive response we've had.''

However, a poll of TV viewers carried out by Morgan CIA suggested that two thirds of those with satellite or cable would be unlikely to use pay-per-view TV and almost 75% of the entire country would not pay extra for a particular programme.

Pubs are being charged even more money to receive pictures of the fight, with fees - which are based on the rateable value of the property - of about #200.

However, pubs appear to be forgoing the opportunity to make the most of a weekend spectacular of Sky Sports coverage, which includes the Old Firm league game tomorrow, Naseem Hamed's defence of his WBO featherweight title against Said Lawal at Glasgow's SECC tonight and the cricket World Cup final tomorrow.

It is understood that the only pub or hotel in Glasgow which will be screening the fight is the Moat House Hotel. It is providing coverage for celebrities attending the fight at the nearby SECC, but only has a late drinks licence until 3am.

Mr Alistair Don, owner of The Doublet Bar in Park Road, said: ``I don't know anyone who is paying the extra money, although I believe a pub in Aberdeen is doing it.

``I think this is the tip of the iceberg. It's an extortionate price and the fight is on at the wrong time for pubs anyway.

``Pubs don't open until 12.30pm and by 7pm everyone will have seen it on the news.''

That may not be the case, however. Last night, the BBC and ITN were still locked in joint talks with BSkyB over access to highlights of the fight for its news programmes.

A BBC spokesman said: ``We all have a news access agreement to take each other's footage for one minute and that has been going on for many years, but Sky is saying that pay-per-view doesn't come into it and we are saying it does.

``Sky says we can't have the footage without conditions they want to put on us and we are saying we can't accept those conditions. It isn't in the spirit of the news access agreement.''

The BBC and ITN say they should be allowed to edit a minute's highlights for news bulletins from 6am onwards. BSkyB, however, says it will provide its own highlights from noon and allow BBC and ITN access to the full fight footage after 8pm when the last pay-per-view showing takes place.

Mr Graham Milne, of Morgan CIA, said: ``The public wants the Government to ensure that sporting action continues to be screened on terrestrial channels, but seems unwilling to pay extra.

``The good news for Sky is that support for pay-per-view appears to be greatest among people who are used to paying more for their viewing, current subscribers. This will be put to the test by the Bruno-Tyson fight tomorrow.''

The BSkyB spokeswoman insisted there were no plans to introduce any more pay-per-view programmes and said the rules of the Las Vegas coverage was being forced on it by boxing promoter Don King.

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