According to a report in The Times, a number of banks are considering exploiting the tension between the Granada and Carlton boards, and are canvassing US investors interest in making a hostile bid for Carlton.
It is the latest twist in a fraught week for the two television companies. On Tuesday, Carlton chairman Michael Green lost his fight to be chairman of the merged ITV plc, after his board conceded to requests from shareholders for him to stand down.
There is also still doubt over whether three Carlton non-executive directors would be willing to join the board of a merged group.
The directors -- Sir Brian Pitman, John McGrath and Etienne de Villiers-- defended Green until the last minute but were dissuaded from resigning after it was confirmed he would leave after the merger.
The Times said a knockout bid for Carlton ahead of the planned merger in early 2004 would give any bidder a 30% stake in the enlarged company.
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