In a statement released to the London Stock Exchange, the cable giant said: "NTL confirms that it has advised ITV of its interest in exploring a possible combination transaction and has scheduled an initial conversation with ITV to that end.
"This process is at a very preliminary stage and there is no assurance that these discussions will lead to any offer being made for ITV."
ITV confirmed that it has been approached by NTL but that no meeting has been arranged nor has any proposal been received. However, the broadcaster said it was willing to listen to any bona fide proposal from NTL.
If successful, the move would lead to further speculation that former Ofcom chief executive Stephen Carter, himself formerly a managing director of NTL, would be the most likely candidate to head up ITV as its new chief executive. It would also create the UK's largest broadcasting force and help ITV with its advance into new digital territories.
Besides Carter, those reported to be in contention for the ITV chief executive's job, replacing former boss Charles Allen who stepped down last month, include: Carter; former Channel 4 boss Michael Jackson; Sky programming head Dawn Airey; United International Pictures' UK chairman and chief executive Stewart Till; and former Capital Radio chief executive David Mansfield.
Several high-profile candidates have also indicated they would not accept the role if approached, including Mike Clasper, non-executive ITV board member and former BAA chief executive, and Andy Duncan, Channel 4 chief executive.
Yesterday, the newly merged NTL Telewest and Virgin Mobile said that it was set to rebrand as Virgin Media in the first quarter of 2007, as it unveiled a third quarter operating loss of £9.6m.
Virgin Media will offer what it has dubbed a "quadplay" service of digital TV, broadband, mobile and home phone.
The merger was completed in July when NTL Telewest bought Virgin Mobile for £962m, creating one of the UK's largest broadcast and telecommunications companies.
The company's third-quarter results show that it made an operating loss of £9.6m. Revenues were £1.02bn, up from £884.3m in the second quarter because of the addition of £140.4m revenues from Virgin Mobile.
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