The BBC is awaiting a decision from the government on BBC Three, which it plans as a channel for 25- to 34-year-olds which would compete head to head with Sky One and Channel 4's E4.
It is now likely to be delayed because Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, looks unlikely to make an announcement about the future of the channel until September at the earliest.
The launch of BBC Three was first delayed because of wrangling over the content of the channel, following complaints from commercial rivals worried that it would erode their market share. The BBC restructured its plans and shifted the focus to include more current affairs.
Latterly, Jowell had been hoped to make an announcement on its future at the Edinburgh Television Festival in two weeks' time. However, she has decided not to attend the festival and will also miss a conference in London held by the Royal Television Society on September 11.
Last month, the Independent Television Commission supported the creation of BBC Three, despite the objection of commercial broadcasters. Jowell had been expected to make a statement about the station's future when the winner of the ITV Digital licence was announced in July. The licence was won by the BBC in conjunction with BSkyB.
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